First fill..not good

[khaley 0]

I went in for my first fill yesterday and it was not good. I have a 10cc

band that had 4 cc's put in at surgery. The P.A. put in 1cc and I went out to the waiting room to get a glass of Water to drink to see if it would pass and after 3 sips, pressure was so horrible. I was taken to the back and the P.A. took out .8cc's of saline. Went back out to the waiting room and tried to drink water again and it was still not going down. Went back in and she took out 2.2cc's of saline taking me down to 2cc's. The pain is horrible is this going to go away? How long does the swelling stay?

[Wheetsin 714]

Wow, it's not typical to receive a fill at surgery, and this is part of why. It's the sole reason my surgeon states for not doing it -- that being, you don't know how much swelling, and restriction from swelling, someone will have post-op -- hence you can't know how much to fill them until the swelling subsides (typically the first fill is around 6 - 8 weeks post-op).

The pain is horrible is this going to go away? How long does the swelling stay?

DO you have pain all the time, or just when you try to eat/drink?

As a general guideline, if you cannot comfotrably get Water down, and have no other way to account for it (e.g. you drank too soon after a meal), you should call and potentialy seek an unfill.

[khaley 0]

It feels like my stomach is against the wall and someone has their fist in the middle of my back.

My surgery was on the 30th of November and when I went in for my follow up a week later she was going to do a fill then...which I thought was quite odd, but did not because I was having a sharp pain when I took a deep breath and she said that I still had swelling so we waited.

[VegasGrace 1]

Wow, bless your heart.

Read your owners manual and compel your doc to follow it, too.

[twiggyinhiding 0]

wow ..i was banded nov 28th and i have to wait till Jan 8th to get my first fill..dr wants me to be fully healed first...that doesnt sound common according to the things i've read.....good luck to you!

[Longhorn 1]

Your roommate mentioned your experience to me in an email. That's a very aggressive schedule - 4 ccs at surgery and 1 more added just 18 days later? My 10 cc band had 1 cc in it at surgery and my doctor added 3 ccs six weeks later. I didn't feel a thing and I can't tell that I have any restriction, just as I expected from my doctor and this board. I certainly haven't had any pain!

I think you need to see the doctor right away and get checked out, plus find out exactly what they have planned in the way of a fill schedule. Then if it's not for you, you can find another doctor to do your after-care. My doctor has an after-care program for patients who he didn't band.

I hope you're feeling better soon! Take care!

[Candle 11]

I hope you feel better.

Wow, it's not typical to receive a fill at surgery

If she has an AP band ... a lot of doctor's are putting in 1-3cc's during surgery. (mine did not)

[drosati1 0]

I was banded Nov 19 and my first fill is schedule for January 4

[::Lori:: 0]

I had surgery on 10/9/07... 10cc band filled with 5cc's during surgery. 11/17/07 I had my first fill of 1.5cc's. Felt very little restriction.. it would come and go. 12/18/07 today, i had my second fill.. of .6cc's. I'm not felling any different.. but i'll let you know if the restriction kicks in.

[steph_co 9]

Wow, bless your heart.

Read your owners manual and compel your doc to follow it, too.

Dang. I agree.

[destiny79 0]

my Dr. don't give fills til 4 weeks post opt he said swelling fromthe surgery and a fill at the same time is not a great combo... so I will get my frst fill on Jan 7

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

The new band does have fill placed in it at the time of surgery. It is not for restriction, it is to make a large band fit the person. Fills for restriction are NOT suggested by the manufacturer (assuming it is Inamed) for four weeks.

I would suggest taking your handbook to your surgeon and asking why he differs with the band manufacturer.

I'm guessing the fill caused swelling and that is why so much had to be taken out. You might need smaller fills and more frequent fills. That's how I was.

[RxTracy 0]

I have a 14 cc Large AP Band and I had 3 cc of fill at surgery and had a first fill of 3.25 cc with no restriction that I can speak of yet. I have not experienced any of the pain described and I would have them take a look at it for sure.

[christine8 0]

Had my band 21 Sept 07 and still waiting for 1st fill 1 Jan 08. Their excuse is the senior Consultant has left the hospital. I have been so good since eating healthy going to the gym 5 days a week and drinking 2 lt Water. But have got so depressed not having the fill that for the last 2 weeks I have eaten rubbish and feel fat and miserable. I have rung PALS who deal with hospital complaints and will what they can do after the holidays.

[RxTracy 0]

That is horrible. I would follow through with PALS for sure. That is awful that they provided the surgery couldn't support you. It seems that in September they would have know that the Senior Consultant was leaving and should have warned you. From my experience when a provider changes locations and services, that is something that is known well in advance, unless they were fired. Good luck and hang in there.