6.3 cc And Still Nothing...

[jeannebs1 0]

I am so discouraged. I had my third fill this week for a total of 6.3 cc in my APS 10 cc band. I still have no restriction at all. As a matter of fact, if it were not for the 5 scars from surgery, I wouldn't even know that I had a band. I realize that I have a lower starting BMI than most people, but my numerous comorbidities (including severe acid reflux that was corrected surgically due to a hiatal hernia) made me a good candidate for the band. The surgeon told me immediately following surgery that the band was "just spinning there" and that I would probably have a difficult time with the post-op diet since I wouldn't feel restriction. But 2 months and 6.3 cc later I am still left to my own inner restraint/willpower, which has totally gone by the wayside. When I go in for a fill the nurse practioner always withdraws at least 1 cc to make certain she has correctly accessed the port before adding any more. This time I begged the surgeon's office into letting me come back for another fill in 2 weeks (they will only put in 3-5 cc each visit), but I am really wondering if perhaps I was really not a candidate for the band and it will never inflate enough to give me any restriction. Has ANYONE had or known of someone with a similar issue? This is REALLY troublesome, but the office's response is one of, "Oh, well... you can't compare yourself to others." I realize this, but COME ON! 6.3 and nothing?

Edited December 22, 2008 by jeannebs1

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Do you feel nothing when you eat? Not the least bit of pressure or that you shouldn't eat anymore? Can you still eat the same amount as before the band both in quanity and types of foods? Maybe after another fill you might feel something. Some people need 8 fills to reach their "sweet spot". Maybe your next fill should be done under x-ray to see what is going on. Would your doctor do that? I've only had one fill and can feel some pressure when I eat but I don't feel satisfied and am still hungry most of the time.

[jeannebs1 0]

I feel absolutely nothing when I eat and can eat whatever and how much of anything that I would want. I have been trying very hard to "eat as if I had restriction", but that went out the window about 2 weeks ago. My first fill was done under fluoro and the technician said that everything looked "beautiful." The last 2 fills have been done by palpation. The nurse practioner routinely withdraws some of the saline before replacing and then adding more, so she definitely has accessed the port. Major bummer!

[openag 0]

Are you sure that you actually have 6ccs? I was banded in September of '07. I had lost 70 pounds by May. I have lost almost nothing since, however, even though I had a number of fills. Finally, they checked exactly how much was in the band. Sure enough it wasn't what we all thought. I had a leak that didn't show up on the scans. My surgeon said that it is not uncommon for the leak to be invisible on the scans. Two weeks ago I went in and they replaced my port which did have a leak. You should have them remove all the Fluid to verify that you have the full amount.

[bambam31 168]

My doc pulls all the Fluid out before a fill just to be certain exactly what's in there. If they're only pulling out 1cc and then going forward with a fill I'd be concerned.

What size band do you have?

You also mentioned you had a lower starting point than most. Keep in mind that the lower the amount of fatty tissues beneath the band, the more Fluid it will take to achieve satisfactory restriction.

Keep fighting every day! It will get easier.

Brad

[jeannebs1 0]

You are all exactly correct. When I go in for my next fill in 2 weeks I will (1) make certain that they do it under fluoro/Xray and (2) will ask the nurse practioner to withdraw ALL of the saline FIRST to make certain that there isn't some type of leak in the tubing. If all is as it should be, then hopefully she will give me enough fill so that I can feel something. Even though I have not been eating enormous portions of food lately, I have been eating the wrong foods because it is so plentiful this time of the year... and I am so HUNGRY! Thank you so much for your comments. Good ideas!

[JaneE 0]

I also have the AP 10cc band and am currently at a 6.6 fill and have little to no restriction. I was at 7.4 for 6 weeks and was way too tight so unfilled on 12/1/08. I go back on 1/8/09 and plan to ask for small fill. You should be getting close at 6.3. I have been banded exactly one year and have lost 41 pounds (I am thrilled with this amount) my weight has remained pretty steady for the last three weeks even though I have no restriction.

[HeatherO 7]

Restriction will hit you like a ton of bricks once you get close to your sweet spot - but until then you may not feel much of anything. At 6.8 cc's I felt nothing. At 8.3 I was right at my perfect sweet spot. You may just have a little further to go until you feel right.

[jeannebs1 0]

Jane and Heather - Thank you SO much for responding to my posts. I was certain that something must be wrong with me, my port or my tubing since I still feel no restriction at 6.3 cc. I truly felt that I was alone here. I guess misery loves company because I feel a lot better knowing that you both had no restriction at 6.3 cc, either! Jane - have you lost 41 pounds with having little-to-no restriction from your band until recently? I have lost 14 pounds (since before the actual surgery) but have started regaining some of that within the last 2 weeks. In any event, all of your posts have given me some hope! I shall try to be more patient. Thank you!

Edited December 22, 2008 by jeannebs1

[kristyn1975 0]

i am feeling for you...and right there with ya!!

I am 6 months post of with the same band as you. I am actually going for my 6th fill today.... i am at 7.5 cc's in the 10 cc band. I ALSO feel little or no restriction. I am like you, also a lower BMI person who had the surgery. My dr told me that everything would be slower for me post op, but this is crazy!! Ive only lost 30 lbs in 6 months!!

Keep me up to date on your progress. Ill be praying for you and hoping everything works out!

[luluc 6]

i am at 7.5 cc's in the 10 cc band. I ALSO feel little or no restriction. I am like you, also a lower BMI person who had the surgery. My dr told me that everything would be slower for me post op, but this is crazy!! Ive only lost 30 lbs in 6 months!!!

your situation is almost identical to mine.

5+months out i was only 25lbs down & at 7.7cc's. i went in for my 8th fill in march (8.5cc's) and that's what did it. in the next 5 months i lost 50lbs & had 3 small unfills taking me to 7.2cc's; which is where i am presently. this seems to be my maintenance fill #, since i haven't touched it since aug.

i had a low bmi, knew it was going to be slow & just tried to do my best to make better food choices while in that "limbo" period. that plus exercise made the 50lb feel like it went speed fast...

[jeannebs1 0]

Lulac - I can't tell you how comforting to read your response! I just KNEW that I was alone in this adventure and, like my husband once said to me, "I guess it's not going to work for you." I will be going in for another fill in 4 days and they will be doing it "under fluoro." Did they use fluoro for you to get you to your magic set point, or did you continually get .5 cc each time (like my doctor's office says is the max they will give after the first 2 fills)? I was NOT very good at making wise choices over this Christmas break since I have been so frustrated and, dare I say depressed, about the lack of assistance I have had over the last few months with the band. I have unfortunately been gaining back the weight that I lost pre-surgery. You have given me hope, however, and I truly appreciate our input. Can you give me any more information as far as your particular journey with the band? What was it like whenever you finally felt some restriction? Was it something like, "I THINK I feel something this time," or did you actually know without a doubt that your fill had helped?

[luluc 6]

I was NOT very good at making wise choices over this Christmas break since I have been so frustrated and, dare I say depressed, about the lack of assistance I have had over the last few months with the band. I have unfortunately been gaining back the weight that I lost pre-surgery.

don't worry, i didnt' make the best food choices either this wk, but i won't bring my scale out till after january so i won't upset myself too much:tongue:

i never had fills under fluoro, my dr also didn't have a "set" cc amt for each patient. he kinda goes off the information i provided regarding food / exercise, and we "slowly" worked towards restriction. restriction for me was a tappering off of my head hunger, satisfied longer w/less, fixation of the next meal gone. took longer than i expected , but it's slowly kicking in.

on a side note, my dr told me after the first few fills that i would likely need to go over 8.5ccs before i felt the band working...he just wasn't in a rush to do it all at once; however i was able to go every 2-4 wks for a fill...i avg'd every 3.

[jeannebs1 0]

Lulca - Once again, thank you for sharing your personal experience with me. I truly appreciate this. I am going to stop feeling sorry for myself and put my head back into the game. You're right... this holiday season is not the time to beat myself up. I need to realize my new beginning. However, any words of wisdom from you will always be welcomed! Thanks!

[mnn2501 0]

Ask them to get aggrssive, it took 5 fills for me to feel anything at all, and the 6th finally did it for me.

Restriction will hit you like a ton of bricks once you get close to your sweet spot - but until then you may not feel much of anything..

Thats for sure, 6th fill was it -- Finally!

Edited December 28, 2008 by mnn2501