I went for a fill today. When my doctor went empty my band (to see how much was in it), he couldn't get anything to come out. He said that he thinks I have a kink. He said fixing it is a simple procedure. He would go back in the insision where my port is, unkink the tube and put in a new port. I guess it is just a one day thing. Anyway, I came on tonight to read about other people's experiences with this, but every one I can find had a leak. Has anyone had just a kink - no leak? What did the doctor do for you? Is it possible that the kink will work itself out? So many questions...........can't wait to get answers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Banded 1/2005

DeWok, was your fill under flouro? Anyone who knows...can you see your tubing under flouro? My fills have all been non-flouro.

I'd get some more answers before going under again. Make SURE it's a kink. They can add color (I think) to the saline Fluid so it can be seen, I'm pretty sure they do this when looking for leaks.

My second fill, the doc went to pull the saline out from the first fill to be sure it was still there (all fills should be this way, as you know) and he couldn't get but a small amount out, there just wasn't enough draw from the syringe. So he had me "do a crunch" on the table. I tightened my abs, as if I were going to do a sit-up, and held my breath, this put pressure on my diaphragm (I guess) and forced the saline from inside my band, into the tubing, and he was able to draw out my entire first fill.

Just info for you to consider. Fixing a kink is pretty simple, I'd agree, but it's a surgical procedure, so if you can avoid it, I certainly would!

Hoping some of your "kinked" friends show up here...good luck!

I guess "under flouro" is when you drink the barium and they watch to see how tight your band is. The doctor that put my band in does it that way, but I moved and the doctor here does them "blind". Therfore, we don't have any proof that it is a kink, that is just his opinion for now. The insurance that I have now, he doesn't accept. I am getting different insurance Sept 1 that he accepts. We will see what we are going to do then.

Thank you for the reply. I hope they keep coming!

Dewok,

I had a kink! I was banded in Feb and after my first fill the Dr couldn't find any saline in my band.I had a second fill at that time and went home, I went back a month later,there was less saline than he had put in the last time,I then had a 3rd fill and worried I for over a month that I had a leak.I did have flouro each time and it never showed a leak or the kink.After the 3rd fill I still felt no restriction and that's when the Dr did a regular xray,and there it was as plain as could be! A twist and a kink.None of the saline was in the band,it was in this twisted part of the line.I underwent surgery again a few days later where they unkinked it,repositioned the tubing lower,tighter so not to kink agagin,sutured it back in and found that my band and port where still in perfect condition so didn't need replacing and they also found a total of 3.2 saline,which they left in and I finally had a perfect restriction. It's now been almost 2 1/2 months and I'll be going in for a small fill this Friday.I have about 40 pounds to get to goal and it just won't budge,hoping this fill is what I need to jump start the loss again.

Good luck!