8 fills...no luck

jessicam · 09-17-2008, 02:04 PM

I am SOOOO frustrated. I am on my eight fill, and only barely feel any restriction. It is so hard, I was banded on 12-19-07 and haven't really made much progress. I am trying really hard not to compare myself to others but I just feel so lost.

Thanks for listening...
Jessie

Susie Girl 75 · 09-17-2008, 02:06 PM

8 fills to me would an unacceptable amount. I would have researched fill doctors in your area and gone to see somebody else.

I have had 3 fills and that was frustrating enough. I couldn't imagine going through that 5 more times and STILL not feeling the proper restriction...

I would do your homework and try to find a new doctor, but that's just my opinion.

jessicam · 09-17-2008, 02:09 PM

I live in a small city, the office I go too are the only bariatric surgeons in town. I really do like them, and even talked about why it was going so slow. They just seem to not want to have to do any unfills because they were too agressive.

~MyNewLife~ · 09-17-2008, 02:14 PM

How big is your band and how much do you have in it?

Livingthe Dream · 09-17-2008, 02:18 PM

I have to agree that is unacceptable as well. Can you explain the fill process that you go through each time. Being overfilled is not the end of the world especially if you are local and can go back in. I am amazed that you have stayed as well grounded as you sound. I had restriction on 3 fills and held that 3rd fill till I hit goal 7 or 8 months after surgery. Now I did have to have that fill taken out for some reason since it started to get to tight. I will never understand the band but 8 shots and no restriction is way to conservative. Are you paying for each of these fills?

Alfie · 09-17-2008, 02:23 PM

Hi, I had at least 6 fills and now I have very good restriction but then it's not even been a week. I actually have 9 cc's in a 10 cc band and for some reason I never seem to be able to keep my restriction for more than a week or two. Dr. Fill :) says that he thinks this one will do it. So far it's been good so I guess we'll see as time goes on.
I am also curious as to how much is in your band because maybe he gives you a tiny amount each time and you're just not there yet. :(

Livingthe Dream · 09-17-2008, 02:25 PM

I just realized that you were banded the day after I was banded. You need to find a new doctor regardless of there bed side manner. I dont know the details like you do so it is hard to deal in absolutes but from what I know it doesn't sound right. What state do you live in? I drove 12 hours for my second fill if that tells you something. Being local is great but it has to make a difference.

The good news is that I lost 80 pounds since Dec 18th 2007 and it flew off, You have the hardest part over now go get a fill.

Do they limit how many times you can come in? Im guessing they make you wait a month. I am sitting here steaming over your results and I am mad that you are not getting the help/support you need.

HeatherO · 09-17-2008, 02:25 PM

Without appropriate restriction, we are just on another diet . . . and if that worked well for us we wouldnt have been banded. I would also like to know how much you have in your band. Also, when you go in for a fill, do you have them withdraw what is currently in there to see how much it is in case you have a leak or something?

The difference between restriction and not enough restriction for me is a very small amount of fluid. At 6.8 cc's I am completely open, at 8.3 cc's I am very tight. If you are just getting .5 to 1 cc's at a time, it is no surprise that you have had a large number of fills without getting to your sweet spot.

See if you can insist on coming in every 2 weeks or so until you reach restriction. Also ask if you can get bigger fills as well. You should be demanding if you are still not getting what you need.

How about your weight loss? Have you been losing steadily since banding, or at least since the last fill or two? That can also be a sign if you have enough restriction.

angelmarlee · 09-17-2008, 03:43 PM

I have only had one fill and I like the way my Dr. did it, he closed it off completely, had me drink some water until I felt it back up, then he took a little out and I could feel the water go down. After just one fill I have good restriction, I am even considering cancelling my upcoming appointment for the second. I wonder if your Dr. would consider doing it this way?