I am 18 days post-op, I get my first fill in a week in a half. I have a 10cc band and the doctor usually fills 4cc during the first fill. I have two questions. I am really scared to do the entire 4cc fill because I am scared that it will be to much and I won't even be able to swallow water. During surgery my band was left with 2cc in it and after surgery I could not get any fluids down so they had to remove the 2cc, that is why I am so afraid. Also, I hear that many people say they are swollen after a fill, why is that? Why is it that your stomach swells after a fill?

Your stomach may swell in response to the fill since it makes the band move slightly as it adjusts around the stomach, and the stomach has to rearrange itself inside the band (at least that is how I understand it).

Let them give you the prescribed fill, then take a drink of Water. You'll know immediately if it was too much. If it goes down ok, then the odds are good that you'll be fine. If the water goes down, but very very slowly, I ask that they remove a little to allow for the potential swelling.

I was overfilled once, and didn't like it at all, so I've taken the conservative approach to fills since then. I'm also 2.5 hours away from the surgeon, so I don't have easy access in the event of an overfill. I had 3.5 ccs on my first fill and had NO restriction.

Good luck!

Does your doctor do fills using fluoroscopy? My surgeon can actually see the level of restriction before he even does the fill and has me swallow barium after inserting the saline to see how it goes down to determine if I need more/less.

If not, I'm sure he knows based on your chart that you had to have the 2 cc's removed, so perhaps he will try 2 ccs this time, have you try to swallow Water to see how you feel and perhaps that would make the difference?

I'm not sure what causes the swelling, I'm thinking it would be a reaction to the trauma of having the needle inserted into the port as well as the tightening of the band having a chain reaction. Perhaps others may have a better idea than me.

Hope this helps! Good luck with your fill!!

Don't worry -- I would expect that the amount of swelling after your fill will be nothing compared to what you had after surgery. As the earlier poster mentioned, you should drink some Water before you leave the doctor's office. If you are overfilled, you'll know it right away and be able to have them take some out.

Hope all goes very smoothly! :w00t:

Catherine

My doctor doesn't do the barium thing but always has me drink water after. In 2 out of 4 fills I couldn't keep water down but had already left the office. On all occasions the next day I was fine. I think it must have been due to swelling.

About the 4c's it may be he's counting what goes into the tubing. My first fill was about that and doc said it included what needs to fill the tube.

I would let the doc do whatever he thinks is best.

Wish you well!