I was banded in Mexico in July 2007. Everything was great and I lost about 80 lbs. before my follow up clinic in the US over filled my band. I called my surgeon, he told me to have my band unfilled and not to start refilling it for atleast 2 months. I went back after 2 months to the fill center, they checked my band under fluoro and everything looked good. They started filling it after that. In 2 fills I got back to 2.2 cc in a 10cc band. It was too tight again and before I could get it unfilled, it started slipping again. The fill center did a slight unfill and I have left it that way for the last 2 years. Sometimes I can eat, sometimes I can't. I have maintained my weight, but fluctuate 5-8lbs. up and down. I don't want to have a complete unfill because I don't want to regain the weight, but the pain is almost unbearable now. I worked with my band and did what I was supposed to, but they kept filling it too tightly and telling me to drink warm liquids and the "swelling would go away". Well, it didn't. Now, most of the time when I eat or drink anything that actually goes down, I can't stand all the way erect and have severe pain in my left side. It feels like my guts are tied in a knot. Now surgeons in the US won't even touch me and I can't afford to pay for a revision to another surgery. Should I contact Fill Centers USA and see what they can do other than unfilling my band??? I feel like they are responsible for the slip, I ate right and did what I was supposed to. If they shouldn't have refilled the band, then why did they? Are they responsible for any of this or am I out in the cold?

This is what I have had and have just had everything bar .5ml taken out of my band. Had barium swallow and all was fine. I would get it unfilled again and just take it steady.

Jo

If you're in pain then you need to have some fluid taken out, in my opinion. The risk of injury to your stomach from a too tight band is too great compared to the possibility of weight gain. Then you need to make an appt with a doctor/surgeon and talk about your options (including financial options.)