I am feeling frustrated and going in for my 4th fill this week so hoping to get some advice. I am down only 20 pounds since my surgery on 6/28/12. I had my 1st fill about 4 weeks post op. The Dr. put in 3cc (I have an 11cc band) and he was unable to pull any of the liquid back out after filling. He seemed mildly concerned but told me all was ok and to come back in 4 weeks for another fill. I felt little to no restriction after the 1st fill. So 1 month later I am back and after filling me another 2cc he is still unable (after much poking and proding) to retrieve the liquid back. At this point he is concerned and schedules me for a fluoroscopy to see if there is a leak. Radiologist gave me 1cc and saw no leak. Radiologist also said he was unable to see how much fluid was in the band. So a few weeks later I am back at my Dr's questioning what is going on, why will the liquid not come back out? He thinks there may be some sort of strange vacumm suction happening in my band and gives me 2 more ccs. This time he was able to pull out about 1cc. Again, he seems mildly concerned...but says to come back in 4 weeks for another fill. So...it seems like I should have about 8ccs in my band, but I am feeling very little restriciton and the Dr. is not able to get anything back out to confirm I actually have 8cc's in there. This is a Dr. that I trust and came highly recommended..but i am starting to freak a little as I have had all these fills & he is unable to get anything back...plus the restriction isn't there. Has anyone had anything similar happen will their fills?

A doctor should be able to put in the Fluid and take out all the fluid. Heres some info.

http://arturorodriguezmd.com/lapband-leaks/comment-page-1

Maybe he is not injecting the fluid into the correct place. If that is the case I would be concerned as it would seem he doesn't know what he is doing.

Mine always checks my band first and pulls all the Fluid out and then injects that plus some back to make sure everything is okay. If they are unable to pull it out or see fluid in it I would think that maybe he isn't getting it it the port, it's just going into the abdominal area - doesn't hurt you just doesn't help OR there is a leak in the tubing not in the band that is causing the fluid to leak out before it even gets to the band.

Maybe a second opinion from another surgeon wouldn't hurt.

I acually had this hapen to me....I got my first fill 5 ccs...then 4 weeks later I went back and the dr couldnt pull out 5..he did get I think it was 3.....he put what he pulled out and added more......next visit basicly the same thing....this went on for 4 fills....then all of a sudden he was able to pull it all out and now I am at 8.5 ccs and Im doing very well.....Not being able to pull any out I guess would make me freak out a lil more....good luck....

The fact you had a fill under fluroscopy and they didn't see a leak is a good thing.

The fact the radiologist couldn't pull any back out either means it's not just your doctor doing something wrong because that's now two medical professionals with the same result.

I would be very concerned if I were in your shoes, too. Perhaps telling your doctor you want solid answers is in order. Or, possibly a second opinion with another surgeon if you doctor isn't willing to get to the bottom of the matter.

Best wishes to you. I hope it all works well.

I agree with Mis.... call the Dr and demand some answers. If he refuses or doesnt have any I would consult with another surgeon and consider changing Drs. You need to be confident your band is working properly and it is your Dr's responsibility to make sure it is. I wouldnt lie back on this one... I would be all over it!

So, just met with the Dr. 1st he tried to pull out what was in (should be at least 7cc per his records) & nothing came out. He then added 1cc & was able to pull that out but nothing more. He thinks I have a slow leak that didn't show up on the fluoroscopy. He says the only thing to do is go back in & replace the band. I was self pay & he won't charge me for the new surgery. I'm thinking I'm going to get a second opinion before I commit to another surgery. Anyone gave any recs for a San Diego area dr for a second opinion? Thank you!