It's been nearly a year since my last fill. And I switched to a new doctor for fills. Anyway my band was missing .4 cc. It was supposed to have 3.1cc in it and only 2.7 came out. So that's kind of odd. I've never had that happen in my 6 years with the band. It could be why I felt like I needed a fill and was loose.

Also- the new Dr. does fills so differently. He connects a longer needle to my port, then a long hard plastic tube then a syringe with the saline. And he fine tunes the fill from there, leaving me connected while I swallowed Water to see if it went down.

My previous Dr would just give me a shot in my port.

So what's the norm these days for fills?

Anyway- I'm hoping I don't have a leak in my band or port.

This is exactly how my doctor does it. I'm always confused as to how much I actually have in my band. The during says one thing but the nurse says that semester stay in the tube. This could be why you have recorded different amts. nurse says that when she draws it out that some is in tube.

I only had one fill but this is how my PA did my fill.

It is not unusual to have up to 1cc missing from your last fill volume. The port system is under a vacuum and Fluid can be left behind when the doc withdraws the fluid. I would not be concerned over 0.4cc. Some docs will pull out, resinsert and pull out numerous times to get air out allowing the maximum volume of fluid to come out. But don't be alarmed unless it is a substantial amount of fluid missing. Also if the fluid is yellow/murky, you've suddenly lost restriction (or in some cases lose it over time but it's evident) than consider a leak.

Seems like every doc has their own approach. Next time, have them explain why they do it that specific way. No harm in knowing their rationale

The new doctor repeated pulled the Fluid in and out to get it all out. He also explained why he fills the way he does. It was just very different from my other doctor.

My concern is that well, .4cc is significant when I only have a 4cc band. I know some people have the 10cc band, but mine isn't that large. And .4cc makes a huge difference for me personally. Given that I pay out of pocket for each fill it does matter.

I am going to get my first fill are u on a clear liquid one day before or full liquids ? I lost my instructions :-(

I agree with Hazel. As long as you have restriction or getting near restriction, I would not be concerned with the amount in your band. I used to obsess about it and ask the doctor to tell me every visit how much was in there to "double" check. He always played along, but, I finally decided it is just a number.

Hope that makes sense.

KAREN: my surgeon requires one day of liquids for 24 hour period AFTER fill. He does not have any "rules" for day before or day of fill . . . just AFTER he adds.

Good luck on your journey.