I debated putting this in "Complications" but I decided not to; it's not a complication, just a reality of my progression on the banding road.

To recap, I was completely unfilled for several months earlier this year. About a month ago I tried to have a little fill, getting .8 ccs of saline replaced. All was fine for a couple of weeks, until the weather changed. Then I started back in with the reflux, heartburn, inability to eat, inability to sleep. I tried medicating it away but after several days it just was getting worse. So yesterday I went in for an unfill and all the saline was taken out.

Last night I slept in bed all night, waking up at 5:00 with just a little coughing and reflux in my throat. But it was a BLESSING to sleep in bed again! I feel so much better and know without a doubt that even the tiny amount of Fluid that was removed from my band made all the difference.

So it looks like this is the end of my band being adjustable. Lord knows I don't need any more fill, EVER, if I'm going to suffer afterwards. Having restriction is nice, but being too tight is just miserable. And Dr. A agrees that it's likely my allergies that sets it off--allergies cause swelling, and it seems to hit me internally--so I'm going to go on Claritin full-time to keep the episodes away. I joked that if I ever need to feel greater restriction, I'll just go off the allergy meds!

I'm fine with this, he's fine with this, I'm healthy and weigh 130 lbs less than I did when I started. My band is still there, still keeping me from pigging out. It's really a better result than I had ever imagined ... now I have my life back. That's what it was all about in the first place. I'm just a normal person now, which I never could have imagined myself being.

hey alex,

i am hoping it doesnt happen to me but it seems almost inevitable. not being negative just realistic based on my past experience...we'll see what the future brings.

has your dr tried to pull air out of your band? i saw wear babs posted that her dr pulled out a substantial amount of air. i will be asking my dr as i dont recall him trying to pull out air but i can see where that could cause a fluctuation of restriction.

i dont know i am almost afraid of them touching my band!!

HI Michele,

My doc DID pull out a lot of air. Maybe thats been the problem all along?? I guess time will tell. I havent lost any weight since I started with the solids again, but I aint gaining either, so now its up to me. I liked this fill. No fluoro, just a good ole fashion, put some in, add a little more, then a little more and then he removed a drop when I got a little too tight. Pulled all the air out, so now I am feeling what he put in. I slimed yesterday!!! WOW, havent done that in a year.

Babs in TX

:clap2: I'm glad you posted this. You seem to have a great attitude. I hope people researching surgery and new bandsters see your post.

We flaunt the adjustibility of the band over the RNY but there does come a time when we can't get any more adjustments and live with the results. We do have to be able to eat, sleep without reflux and drink!

I have about 4 cc in my 9 cc band. I think this is close to the upper limit because I have dealt with reflux issues before it loosened up a bit. Now that's nowhere near full but I know I'm not going up more than 0.5 cc.

Good luck and thanks.

I debated putting this in "Complications" but I decided not to; it's not a complication, just a reality of my progression on the banding road.

I'm just a normal person now, which I never could have imagined myself being.

That's wonderful. You are always so positive about your journey - and that's what I always remind new LapBanders and pre-op's. I tell them 'This isn't just a surgery, it's the beginning of a journey.' Your attitude embodies that Alexandra.

I wonder if science could come along and bottle yours, mine, and Bab-In-Tx's LapBand experiences? Then they could just hand them to new patients like a one-time prescription or a pill. They could say :

"Here, take this pill. You should have a fascinating, if not always smooth, LapBand journey. It will work for you over time, but you have to expect little twists and turns along the way. Remember, your mileage may vary!" :nervous

Anyway, your mention of seasonal allergies and stuffiness sounded very familiar to me. I suffered mightily from persistent allergy symptoms, nasal and sinus pressure and stuffiness. So frankly until I had my sinus surgery - I was always been overly affected by my sinus/allergies/nasal stuffiness in regards to my band. (That's something that was never mentioned in ANY LapBand brochure or seminar! :rolleyes )

Sometimes my restriction seemed to ebb and flow completely by how 'stuffy' I felt. Certain seasons (like when the weather got cooler) made it much worse.

Now most people don't have such severe symptoms - nor do most folks need sinus surgery like I did - but I saw a marked improvement in my band's... well, steadiness... after getting my sinuses repaired. Although my sinus surgery (septoplasty with sinus/turbinate repair, as it was called) did not cure my allergies, my body responds a lot less to seasonal allergens, and the effect on my health is a lot more minimal than it was before I got my sinuses worked on.

Just thought I mention that I also suffered the nasal/band connection.

((( HUGS )))