I am so nervous about my band right now and I was hoping I could get your opinion. I had my band replaced back in June because my first band slipped. Everything is going great with my new band as far as placement, position on my stomach, etc. What I am concerned about is fills and restriction. On the first band I was actually a bit too tight at 3.0 cc's. I had a hard time getting fluids down. On the new band I am up to my fourth fill and I have 3.4 cc's. When the doctor does the fill he immediately does a flouro and the fluid took quite a while to go through the band. He made me go sit in a tv room and drink plentyof water to make sure it wasn't too tight before I left. (I drive 3 hours to get to my fill Dr.) I thought I finally had restriction and I was so happy, but by the time I went back on solid foods I had and still have NO restriction. The fill was on Wednesday afternoon and today is Monday. I am scared to death that I am going to end up with 4.0 cc's in my band and I still won't have restriction. Do you think my stomach is too small for the band to work or do you think that the surgeon would have known that when he replaced my band? Also, after reading so many posts on complications I am wondering if my band could be eroding into my stomach and that is why I can't get tight. Would it erode this quickly? I got the new band 5 months ago? Wouldn't it be tighter if the band was cutting into my stomach and wouldn't I have some sort of pain? Also, if my old band didn't erode into my stomach is it very likely that the new band would? If the band was eroding would there be any indication of that on my flouro when my pouch is full of the fluid they give you to swallow? Please give me your opinion! I don't go back to the doctor until December 21st and I am going to go nuts worrying about all of this! Thank you so much!!!!

I'm not dr. c but can tell you that my last fill took about 1 week to kick in. I was able to eat the same as pre-fill, then suddenly a week later, I was struggling with yogurt. There are plenty of banded folks that will share the same experience, sometimes fills can take a week or so to really "kick-in". Good luck, give it some time, relax. ~Mandy

Watever your previous fill level was is irrelevant to your new band so I wouldn't worry about that. I think an erosion this early would be pretty uncommon, especially if your doc is fluoro'ing he would see it. At 3.4 cc's adding just very small amounts can make a big different, so I think you should start seeing restriction soon. Hang in there!

Dr. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

I am so nervous about my band right now and I was hoping I could get your opinion. I had my band replaced back in June because my first band slipped. Everything is going great with my new band as far as placement, position on my stomach, etc. What I am concerned about is fills and restriction. On the first band I was actually a bit too tight at 3.0 cc's. I had a hard time getting fluids down. On the new band I am up to my fourth fill and I have 3.4 cc's. When the doctor does the fill he immediately does a flouro and the Fluid took quite a while to go through the band. He made me go sit in a tv room and drink plentyof Water to make sure it wasn't too tight before I left. (I drive 3 hours to get to my fill Dr.) I thought I finally had restriction and I was so happy, but by the time I went back on solid foods I had and still have NO restriction. The fill was on Wednesday afternoon and today is Monday. I am scared to death that I am going to end up with 4.0 cc's in my band and I still won't have restriction. Do you think my stomach is too small for the band to work or do you think that the surgeon would have known that when he replaced my band? Also, after reading so many posts on complications I am wondering if my band could be eroding into my stomach and that is why I can't get tight. Would it erode this quickly? I got the new band 5 months ago? Wouldn't it be tighter if the band was cutting into my stomach and wouldn't I have some sort of pain? Also, if my old band didn't erode into my stomach is it very likely that the new band would? If the band was eroding would there be any indication of that on my flouro when my pouch is full of the fluid they give you to swallow? Please give me your opinion! I don't go back to the doctor until December 21st and I am going to go nuts worrying about all of this! Thank you so much!!!!

Thanks to you guys who have bothered to read my post and reply. I feel a bit better now!

just a comment...it so illogical that fills don't kick in for a week. makes no sense to me, but happens to many people.

Yep, I can agree with that. I'm here in Cinci at the Ramada right now waiting to see Dr. C in the morning for my first unfill. I have 3.00cc's in a 4cc's band and can't eat or keep anything down. It always takes my fills at least a week. I hope all is well with you.

Mysherrijo,

Thanks so much for your comment. I am feeling much less nervous about all of this, but I do still have the fear that I am going to get filled up to 4.0 cc's and still have no restriction! Good luck with your unfill. I also know what it's like to be too tight. That did happen to me with my first band.