Unfill-does it hurt?

hatmama · March 5, 2008

Hi: I was banded with the 10cc Lapband. Dr said he left 4cc in.When I went to my first fill, Dr put in 2 cc; 2nd fill was 1cc; 3rd was .50cc. I have had almost no restriction since the 2nd week out of the hospital and I am hungry a lot (actually, most of the time). Fill Dr says if I don't feel any restriction (and start losing any weight!), at next appt she will take all fill out to see how much was in there and then refill. Has anyone else had this done? and what can I expect? I have a very low threshhold for pain, at least as far as it's mine (joke).

I'm not losing much, maybe 6 lbs since I was banded. I've got the portion controls down, but I get hungry and I "pick". I am also yo-yoing, I will lose 5 lbs on a strict diet, then gain back at least 4. My biggest problem is the Water after eating. As a former cancer patient, the various chemo and radi treatments had the side effect of leaving me with a dry mouth. Sometimes it is so bad, I not only can't talk, I throw up. Which I know would be a problem with my l/b. My (cancer) Dr says this is a common problem with Cancer treatments and says there are no real medical facts as to how long that side effect will last. I am doing as one bandster suggested and drinking a lot of Water before I eat, but it doesn't seem to help.

Just wondering if anyone knows about the pain and has any suggestions about the water. Thanks:)Laura

Chris61 · March 5, 2008

The last time I went for a fill I asked the doctor how much was in the band. I wanted to make sure there was no leaks or anything like that. So he just took the Fluid out and told me how much and put it back in and gave me another 2.3cc. I wonder if you might be a little tight. I have been fighiting the hunger pains as well. I would eat and still feel hungery for a while.

Chris

shortgal · March 5, 2008

My office always withdraws all in my band and then puts it back with more saline, so that way they are always checking for a leak. It doens't hurt, it's the same as getting a fill.

Marimaru · March 6, 2008

An unfill doesn't hurt at all. Chances are, they'll stick the needle in like normal, withdraw the Fluid to see what's in there, and then put it back plus whatever additional they were going to put in, all within the same poke of the needle.

I'm not sure what to tell you regarding the dry mouth, but congratulations on getting past your cancer!

Frustrated · March 6, 2008

The unfill won't be any different from the fills you've received so far. It's the same procedure, they just withdraw instead of filling. Then I expect they'll replace what was taken out and add more. You should only be stuck with the needle once though.

As for the dry mouth, have you tried chewing on some gum after eating to encourage your salivary glands to continue working? You might also want to pop an ice cube in your mouth and suck on that instead of drinking Water. That way it won't be as much Fluid, but will hopefully keep you mouth moist for longer while it melts.

hatmama · March 6, 2008

Thank you all for the suggestions. The ice cube sounds good I'll try it out today. Laura

rharriet62 · March 6, 2008

My doc does an "unfill" everytime! I can't even believe some docs don't do that! She just pulls the Fluid out and says, "Yep. You have 2.7 in your band. I'm giving you back your 2.7 and adding .1 more for a total of 2.8." She literally says that every time I get a fill! I think it's very important to check the total fill level because your device itself absorbs fluid from time to time. It's just the same ONE injection and it feels like nothing. Don't worry!