Do I Need An Unfill In My Band Before I Have Surgery?

[JennK2008 12]

Last Friday night I had some of the most extreme pain I have ever had while I was out of town. I woke my husband and had him take me to the nearest hospital which was 45 min away. After several tests it was diagnosed as gall stones. The doctor told me that my gallbladder needed to be removed. He was nice enough to give me prescriptions for pain meds unitl I could get home and see my doctor. I went to see my doctor and he referred me to a surgeon. I took my reports from the hospital and after a few more test they set me up to have surgery next week. My question is do I need to have an "unfill" before I have surgery? Does anyone know the answer to this? I tried and called my lapband dr's office today and didn't hear back. Just curious if anyone knows for sure either way while I wait for the call back. Surgery is next week, so if I need to get an unfill I need to do this tomorrow!!

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Yes, they usually require it to be unfilled before surgery.

[MacPack6 1]

Yes, that will probally need done. But, if i was you check with the doctor who did your band becuase he can do your gall stone or gall bladder surgery. My doctor did by surgery to take out my gall bladder.

[elcee 3,343]

This depends on the Dr. I also thought that it was necessary but discovered that is not true. When I had my hysterectomy last year my Dr did not require that I get an unfill. The only issue that I has was that the hospitals idea of a light diet did not tie up with what I considered to be a suitable lapbanders light diet. they kept trying to feed me sandwiches so all I got to eat was the soft stuff like icecream,jelly ,custard and yogurt which was not very satisfying.

[Dawn200321 146]

Mine had to be emptied before gallbladder removel...usually they can refill after a wek or two

[Dulci 108]

I had my gallbladder removed on Tuesday and they did not unfill my band. I had my surgery at the same hospital that placed my band.

Good luck!

[JennK2008 12]

Thank you all for your replies.

I just talked to the nurse at my Dr's office. I do not need to get an unfill before surgery on Wednesday. That made me happy!! She also told me that my Dr could have done my gallbladder surgery as well, but the hospital I had my band done at is quite a ways from home she more than understood why I was using a hospital closer to me.

I am so glad it is safe for me not to be unfilled and still have surgery. As long as it's safe I did not want a set back by putting on a couple of pounds!!

Thanks again for your imput!!

[Dulci 108]

Don't be upset if you gain weight right after the procedure. All of the IV fluids will probably show a gain on the scale. I weighed 158 on Tuesday, when my gallbladder sent me to the ER. Yesterday, when I got home, I weighed 165! I know it has to be due to the IV because I hardly ate anything and still don't have an appetite.

[JennK2008 12]

Dulci, I completely understand! I went in for a follow up/ adjustment last Friday. I weighed 163 then after 2 bags of IV Fluid in the er on Sunday I weighed 172 and I had barely eaten too. Finally the weight is back off as of today but come Wednesday it will be a different story.

Hope you are recovering well from your gallbladder surgery.

[a1990 55]

I just got banded on the 3rd and was in the ER Thursday for a pain in my stomach and they are thinking it's my gallbladder , how did you girls feel when you had problems like what kind of pain did you have . They want to set me up with a surgeon to have some more test done

[marfar7 1,533]

Yes, they usually require it to be unfilled before surgery.

I'm just curious as to why they have to empty it before surgery?

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I'm just curious as to why they have to empty it before surgery?

Well, when I had surgery in August (not band related), they said it was because they had to clear the contents of my stomach before surgery. When it's a pre-planned surgery, this isn't usually an issue, because you're not allowed to eat the day before anyway. But with an unplanned surgery I'd eaten. To clear your stomach contents they have to stick a tube into your stomach. If the band is filled, there's a much higher risk of them accidentally puncturing the stomach trying to get past the band. Interestingly, normally you're asleep when they clear your stomach contents before surgery but because of my band I had to be awake. They said by having me swallow while they placed it it made it easier to guide past the band. Let me tell you... it wasn't pleasant. At all. Ugh.

The other reason I was told it was best to empty it was because of vomiting risk. It's not uncommon for people to vomit from anesthesia If the band is empty, there's less chance of a slip from vomiting.

[Dulci 108]

I had very severe burning pain in the center of my abdomen, below the band and lower than the pain from a stuck episode. The pain radiated to the right and around to my back. Nothing relieved the pain.

[RandiCartmill 18]

Last Friday night I had some of the most extreme pain I have ever had while I was out of town. I woke my husband and had him take me to the nearest hospital which was 45 min away. After several tests it was diagnosed as gall stones. The doctor told me that my gallbladder needed to be removed. He was nice enough to give me prescriptions for pain meds unitl I could get home and see my doctor. I went to see my doctor and he referred me to a surgeon. I took my reports from the hospital and after a few more test they set me up to have surgery next week. My question is do I need to have an "unfill" before I have surgery? Does anyone know the answer to this? I tried and called my lapband dr's office today and didn't hear back. Just curious if anyone knows for sure either way while I wait for the call back. Surgery is next week' date=' so if I need to get an unfill I need to do this tomorrow!![/quote']

I just had my gall bladder out today and didn't get unfilled at all but than again my band surgeon did my gall bladder removal

[JennK2008 12]

I had my gallbladder removed on Wednesday. I didn't require an unfill, I was told that since there was a bariatric team in the hospital if there was a complication and they needed it to be unfilled it could be done.

I am completely recovered and it wasn't a bad surgery at all. In fact when I was banded my surgery wasn't bad either. If I had to compare the two I would say the band was probably worse.

I made the decision to stay the night at the hospital even though my surgeon said that I could go home. I wanted to stay in case I needed anything and my hubby leaves for work at such an early hour.

I do apologize for not responding to your posts earlier but I haven't gotten online in a few days.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.