I've heard many people talk about the doctors being able to see your 'fill line' through the x-ray when you're having a fluoroscopic fill. Does this mean that Fluoroscopic fills are exact each time for the most part?

Basically, I have a choice of getting a regular fill at 4 weeks after surgery or waiting 6 weeks to get a Fluoroscopic one (since my doctor only gets the machine in every few weeks).

If there really is no difference between the two, then I'd rather get the fill quicker, at 4 weeks. But if the fluoroscopic one is more precise, then I'd rather put up with 2 extra weeks of bandster hell for some GOOD restriction.

Any thoughts?

Hi Faz

I think you will notice two distinctive sides for this argument. One will say Fluoro is not necessary at all, as the fill can be done without the x-ray machine - which is true: it can be done and many doctors do that. They say it saves you getting so much radiation you do not really need. Which is also true. And it's also faster, hassle free and - most of all - cheaper for the doctor/hospital.

On the other hand, you will hear the side which says that actually with modern x-ray machines you do not get that much radiation, it definitely does not do you harm and your doctor has a chance not just to adjust the restriction more accurately, but to see if everything looks as it should be. As they can see the restriction instantly (before any swelling kicks in) you might need less adjustment to reach your "sweet point". They can also pick up any unsavoury things quickly, like slippage, erosion, etc.

My doctor only does adjustments with Fluoro. But even doctors do not agree on the definitive method: I read books written by world renown experts advocating for both sides very passionately.

My personal opinion is: it can be done both ways; you might get "there" sooner and have the extra reassurance of "all clear" with fluoro; however, you can save yourself some radiation going without it.

You might want to consider having one fluoro done every six months, just to make sure all is fine inside, but the rest you can have "blind". I know I love the reassurance of my surgeon and the x-ray specialist looking at my insides and giving me the green light...

Good luck!

My doc does the fluro if I don't get my butt in when I should, which I usually don't. I have had fills in the office when they were when they should have been without incident. The fluro is not more excact, it just lets them see the actual flow of the liquid and how quickly it is passing. The excact part comes in the needle. Most docs, or the guidelines I have found say the the fill amount is put in the needle. When the fill is started, the saline in the band is pulled out then that and the addtional amount are put in.

If a doctor has been doing lapband surgery and done many then 99.9% of the time they can fill the band without any fleuro. It takes less than five minutes to get the band filled. They know they are in there when fluid that is already in there comes up in the syringe. Why be afraid to get a blind fill when they have been doing it forever. Some doctors have nurses do fills. It just a port. Its up to you but I would say just get the plain fill unless afterwards you should have problems. I can feel my band tighten when I get a fill so I know he is in the right place

i dont know if one is better than the other, but i was so paranoid that i might have hurt my band, the fact that you can see exactly what's happening in there with the fluro makes me feel better...just my 2 cents

i dont know if one is better than the other, but i was so paranoid that i might have hurt my band, the fact that you can see exactly what's happening in there with the fluro makes me feel better...just my 2 cents

faz1988 - a fill level cannot be seen on fluoroscopy. You can see how Fluid flows through the stoma created by the band if you do a barium swallow but you can't see the amount of fluid in a band, the fluid - like air in a tire - distributes around the band equally.

That said, a fill done under fluoroscopy offers many benefits - especially for your first fill.

It will help your Dr. see the position of your band and will allow them exact positioning to hit your port so they'll know for future visits. Without that, you're risking having your Dr. puncture the tube or miss the port, or or or. Lots of potential complications with a blind first fill.

While a Dr who has done a million fills could do your first fill perfectly blind - your Dr has absolutely no idea how your port is sitting, if it has turned over, if it's on its side, etc.

Wait - and get a good look at your band and its position.

And don't make the mistake of getting a massive fill to start. If you ask your Dr. to do a barium swallow while filling you can get a really nice and accurate fill the first time where fluid still goes through well but you have some pressure.