Bet cha never heard this one!

Chris S. - L.I. · 02-09-2005, 01:11 PM

In case you don't remember my past posts I had been filled to 3.60 and was worried that my fill was so high. Well, I told my doc that I could still eat alot and didn't feel much restriction like I thought I should and asked him to do a barium swallow. Well, that was last Friday and everything looked fine so they decided to set me up for a fill under fluoro this past Monday. So get this, they give me more of a fill and there was no difference in restriction. They take me down to 2.0 just to see if there is a difference and there is none. So now they are not sure what the problem is. One reason might be since I've lost 60 lbs. that the fat pad has gotten smaller and maybe there is a very small slip (just a small portion of stomach) and that maybe the reason for no restriction. So they fill me to 3.70 and tell me to try to watch my foods better and exercise and come back in 3 weeks to figure out what we will do. One suggestion is going in again and repositioning the band. Not thrilled with that one! But then again, why have this band in me if it is not woking properly. I want it to work right. Any thoughts?

donali · 02-09-2005, 01:41 PM

Hi Chris -

ShellyJ had this exact same problem - her fills were being trapped in the port and NOT reaching the band - they would put fill in, and take the same amount out, but it was never going into the tubing.

I suspect that same thing is happening to you.

I suppose you could also have a leak, but I would think it would have to be a pretty big one to not feel at least a little bit of difference before the restriction leaked away.

It's also possible that your tubing has become disconnected from the port or the band, although that seems less likely if they're able to draw the fluid back out.

Tell your doc that there is at least one precedent of saline being trapped in the port, and maybe he can try accessing it somewhere else.

He may have to resort to some sort of contrast fluid so he can see under fluoro WHERE exactly the fill is going...

blossom · 02-09-2005, 01:45 PM

Wow! Chris, I am so sorry your going through this. This is just my opinion, but IF it is determined that your band really did slip do to the weightloss (Congrats!), if I were you I would absolutely let them go in and reposition. You are right, why have this band if it is not working properly? Good luck and keep us posted on what happens!

donali · 02-09-2005, 01:51 PM

Also, even if you had a slip, you would still feel restriction from the band being filled - I mean, you would physically feel your stomach being squeezed as the saline was added - not a pleasant sensation. In fact, most people with slippage are OVER restricted.

I would be extremely surprised if it is slippage, particularly since they did fluoro and said everything looked okay. They should be able to see slippage under fluoro.

**Alexandra** · 02-09-2005, 04:27 PM

Chris, are you saying that even under fluoro they were unable to see increased restriction as they increased the amount of saline? Sounds to me like there's something keeping the saline from getting into the bladder--and I'm amazed the doctor didn't immediately see that. My doctor always fills the band entirely before backing out to the right amount of restriction, and it's clear that the fill is going to the right place that way. Did your doctor try that?

Please let us know what the issue turns out to be. I hope another surgery is NOT necessary, but you definitely want your band in good working order. Good luck!!

Chris S. - L.I. · 02-12-2005, 01:50 PM

Alex,
That's exactly what I'm saying. They could not see a difference in restriction when they filled me with the saline. I'm curious, how much saline are they putting in to completely fill you up before they back off? My doc said he is getting in touch with a doc who was one of the pioneers in this surgery (I think Prof. O'Brien in Australia) and explaining my situation to him to see what he thinks. Thanks for your reply.