Complete loss of restriction following large fill!

[skhopp 0]

On Monday, I went to see a new surgeon that does lap band fills. He used to do gastric bypass surgeries, but quit doing them because of all the risks. Now, he is a general surgeon that is offering lap band fills. He is only 1 1/2 hours from my house - my surgeon's office is 3 hours, and I never got to see him anyway, just the fill nurse. So, I chose to transfer. I went to see the new doctor with 3.0 or 3.25 cc in my 4 cc band. I was used to getting fills that consisted of only 1/4 to 1/2 cc at a time. He gave me a 1 1/2 cc fill. I am assuming this has maxed out my band. I felt fine after the fill, and still do; however, I have lost all restriction that I had before the fill. I have absolutely, positively NO restriction now - I can eat just as much as before the surgery. What could have happened?

[orea15 0]

A leak or a slip.

To put that much into a band when you have so much Fluid in there already is just plain crazy. This person does not know what he is doing. I'd rather drive the extra 90 minutes for a responsible and experienced fill.

[justmel1957 1]

Just doesn't sound right. I have 3.8cc in my 4cc band with perfect restriction. Doc said that the 4cc band can hold over 4cc if needed (but not tons more)

[hpegg 0]

That is really weird. I have never heard of a 4cc band before. I thought the smallest one was 10 cc. If you do have a 4 cc band and you also have 3 1/2 cc already in, how did the new doctor put in 1 1/2 cc more? The math does not work. There is something going on. You may need to call your original surgeon and ask some questions.

[orea15 0]

You can put in much more than the advertised amount in any given band.

[hpegg 0]

I did not know that. Thanks for the info. I wonder though why anyone would put in more than the recommended amount.

[Jachut 487]

I cant believe you'd be having such large fills with that much in your band already. My band has 2.7cc since yesterday, and I had 0.1cc put in, made a BIG difference. Putting over a cc in a band already that full is asking for trouble, especially if he's taken it up to nearly 5cc.

And obviously he's missed the port or something because you should be so tight you cant swallow at that level!

Did he take all the Fluid out to check it was there and then miss putting it back in? Or did he do somethink like take it out to check, discard it and only put 1.5cc back in? I'd ring his office.

[bambam31 168]

I also have a 4cc band, although the surgeon said it would hold upwards of 5cc. When I get a fill he pulls all of the Fluid out, then adds Fluid back including the new fill amount. He leaves the needle intact though, so it's only one poke.

How did your fill doctor do the fill?

Leads me to believe he missed the port somehow or put a hole in the tubing. I'd be headed back to the original surgeon's office I think...

Brad

[skhopp 0]

I was told by my surgeons office, at my last fill appt, that I had 3 cc or 3.25 cc (I can't remember for sure); however, last night I was reviewing my records, and at one appt last December, I had to have .5 cc removed because of terrible vomiting - but the nurse ADDED that amount on my fill log, instead of SUBTRACTING it, so I really only had about 2.5 cc, when I went to visit the new surgeon on Monday. My surgeons office ALWAYS drew out the Fluid to measure, and then put it back in with the additional for the fill; however, this new doctor did not draw out any fluid, and tried 3 times to get in the port with a needle he then decided was too short, he then was "successful" with the longer needle on the fourth try. Well, he thought he was successful anyway, but I am questioning this now. And, I maybe didn't make myself clear when I was trying to describe my loss of restriction. I have ALWAYS had restriction, since the day my band was placed - except for the last 3 days, since that last, large fill. I was due for a fill, and felt like I needed one; however, I have NEVER had a fill larger than .5 cc at a time - but he put in 1.5 cc on Monday. I was worried that with that large of a fill, and being that close to the max my band will hold that I'd have trouble swallowing liquids - turns out I can eat like a freakin' horse - just like I could before my surgery! Makes no sense to me. I have to think he not only missed the port, but did something to the band to cause me to lose the fluid I did have in there. What do you guys think? p.s. I do have calls into my surgeons office, as well as the doctor I seen on Monday. I'm hoping to hear back from them today - if not, they're going to hear from me by the end of the day. I'm worried, not to mention pissed off. My success with the band has been very minimal to begin with, and now that I can consume food just like pre-band, I'm worried I'm going to start gaining.

[skhopp 0]

Well, I just spoke with a nurse at my surgeon's office. She said it sounds like the doctor on Monday that gave me the large fill, "blew" my band. I have chosen to go back and see one of my surgeon's partners on Wednesday, Dec. 17th. He will evaluate me and determine what testing should be done. And, if, in fact, the band has been "blown", they'll need to replace it. Moral of the story - go the extra mile to get experienced treatment. I saved 3 hours on Monday, going to a surgeon closer to home, only to find out that he may have caused me to face more surgery. I am soooo pissed at myself and at him - for pretending he knew what he was doing.

[orea15 0]

I am so sorry. That was an expensive lesson to learn, but a valuable one. I'm crossing my fingers that it's just a leak in the port (did he use the right kind of needle?) or in the tubing, and not in the band itself. If he used a needle that was not non-coring, he could have taken a chunk out of the self sealing portion of your port. This would be much easier to fix.

I'd call this malpractice. Grounds for a lawsuit?

Keep us posted, please. We care.

[skhopp 0]

orea15 - thank you so much for your concern. Yes, it was a valuable lesson to learn. And, I am hoping it's something simple - not anything that requires a band replacement. But, I had a bad feeling about this new doctor when I was in his office. I should've listened to my inner-self. One thing I know is that I won't go back, and I won't recommend him to anyone. Please keep your fingers crossed for me - I'm praying for myself!

[justmel1957 1]

yes, we are rooting for you. hang in there, i know its frustrating, but sounds like it can be fixed.

and i agree, we all need to learn to listen to that inner voice......I know i'm bad about that!

Good luck sweetie!

[Cappy 0]

orea15 - thank you so much for your concern. Yes, it was a valuable lesson to learn. And, I am hoping it's something simple - not anything that requires a band replacement. But, I had a bad feeling about this new doctor when I was in his office. I should've listened to my inner-self. One thing I know is that I won't go back, and I won't recommend him to anyone. Please keep your fingers crossed for me - I'm praying for myself!

I am so sorry to hear this happened to you....I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be a simple fix! Please keep in touch and let us know how everything turns out! Your in my prayers!

[bambam31 168]

Wow! That is unfortunate for certain. Please keep us up to speed on your situation.

Brad