Band May Have a Leak..

[lizzie_07 0]

It seems like whenever I get over one hurdle another arises. I live a 2 1/2 hour flight away from where I had my surgery so I had to find my own fill doctor here. I arranged one before the surgery but she told me about a week ago that she could not do my fills. I cannot afford to fly to Toronto every 2 weeks for fills and the clinic offered me no help whatsoever (they have no fill doctors anywhere near me).

Anyways, I managed to find a fill doctor a 1 1/2 hour drive away but I cannot tell my clinic I am going to her because she is a fill nurse for another clinic and they already told others they could not go to her (she is VERY experienced with doing fills though). I had my second fill on Saturday and she checked how much saline was in my band. I had 3cc put in over 2 weeks ago and I only had 1cc in there when she checked. I'm scared to death that I may have a leak. I'm self pay and not sure if that would be covered. Plus, how can I explain to the clinic that I have a leak if I'm going to someone they did not approve of?

This band journey has been very discouraging thus far. I feel like I'm always posting downer messages lol. Sheesh.

[steph_co 9]

Liz, I read this post by Dr Watkins last night:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f13/how-many-cc-s-your-inamed-10cc-band-47577/index3.html#post672978

It might help you put it in perspective...at least I hope. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that you have a leak just yet. Just keep hoping that it's not. You still have some in there as opposed to NOTHING when they pull the saline out. So maybe it's just one of those weird band things?

I'm self-pay, too. No, I don't think a leak would be covered if they had to re-operate. That's one of the risks of self-paying for this thing. It's a gamble to be sure. I hope things turn out okay for you.

[lizzie_07 0]

Thanks for the info Steph. That was a great link. I did feel slightly better knowing there was 1cc left in it but I guess my next fill (on the 18th) will be the true test...she put in 3cc so that I had the proper total of 4cc so if it's really low again I'll know i have a problem on my hands. Eek.

[Skinny_Jill 36]

When I got my 1st fill the nurse told me not to be surprised if I lose some of the saline. She said it is common. Ask for Omnipak (sp?). It is a thicker solution they use to fill the band.

[lizzie_07 0]

Perfect, thanks! I heard someone else mention that but they didn't know the name. I'll ask her about it during my next fill.

I was looking on the board and it seems there are a few explanations for it but that it is more common than I realized. I just hope I'm one of the lucky ones who loses saline without having a leak.