advice on refill after complications

LuckyGirl · June 26, 2007

I had to have all of the fill taken out of my band this week because I was overfilled last week and must of aggravated my stomach too much and had bad reflux for a week. They have taken out all of the fill so i can rest my stomach. I had 1.5 in a 4cc band in and was doing great. When i tried to jump up to 1.75 it was too tight. Now when i go back next week they said they would put back in 1.5cc. Do you think this will be okay or is that too much after being totally empty? Advice from anyone in this situation...

Alexandra · June 27, 2007

Will they be doing your refll under fluoroscopy? Unless they are, I'd be worried that 1.5 cc is too much. Most people find after being unfilled for a while that they can't tolerate what was an acceptable level before. And in any event, they shouldn't go into the fill with a preconceived notion about what they're going to give you.

I'd suggest taking it slow, and being really cautious. If there's no fluoroscope being used, I'd tell the doctor to stop at 1 cc no matter what it feels like. And if it feels tight before that, don't be shy about stopping earlier. If there is a fluoroscope in use they'll have a visual on what they're doing, but even then they should err on the side of caution.

Too little fill is always easy to remedy. Too much can lead to big problems. And if you had only 1.75 in a 4cc band, you don't have a lot of margin to play around with.

LuckyGirl · June 27, 2007

No, it won't be done under flouro. You are right - better too little than too much.. I am learning that this thing is so sensitive and needs to be treated with a white glove! some people who report problems realize that sometimes it was the way they treated themselves so I want to be super careful and cautious. thanks for the advice Alex! h

juliegeraci · June 27, 2007

I went down form 3 to 2.0 and gradually went back to 3 within 3 fills. You should be okay starting out at 1.5. Good luck.

CCBSTX · June 30, 2007

Alex is right. It's better to be on the too lose than too tight. I'm where you are now with no fill... until Aug. My pouch needed a "rest" from being dilated/stretched.

I've read about this from other posts. Most folks seem to be more sensitive to the refill. I plan on asking for 1.0cc for my first fill (refill).

Shawn

LuckyGirl · June 30, 2007

I was thinking of asking for 1.3 or 1.4 - but I'm scared 1.5 would be too much. I was 1.5 last time but I had started at 1.0 then 1.25 then 1.5. I'm so scared now and I don't want to get too tight!