Please help me convince my doc

[rmathias7 0]

Hi, I'm new to the whole forum thing and have a question that I can't seem to find a definitive answer to on any search engine. How much can a 10 cm band ACTUALLY hold? I have read so much conflicting information it is making my head spin. I fully understand that my band is considered a 4 cc band, but I had absolutely no restriction at 3.6 cc and have recently gone up very close to 4. My doc said that at the 3.6 I was already fuller than any of his other patients and that it should be too tight. On the barium swallow it just swooshed right on down at 3.6 and is hesitating a little now at 4. He has checked to make sure there isn't any leakage and that the band is in the correct position. I carry most all of my weight below my belly button and my doc was pretty surprised at the relative lack of fat in my upper abdomen. So why can't he understand that I may need to go over the 4 cc fill level. I have contacted Allergan and they sent me to the FDA sight to get the dimensions of the tubing and port etc. so I can show my doc that some of the Fluid is in there and not necessarily IN the band. I have read on the forum where some people are at their sweet spot between 4 and 5 cc and I would like to find some documentation to show my physician that there won't be any harm in trying. I figure some people's band is too full at 3 cc and they figure it out soon enough and take some fluid out. Why can't it be the same with more than 4 cc? I mean, isn't the idea to find the sweet spot where ever it lies (not just below 4)? Please help and thank you for your responses in advance.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

What may be happening is that the 4cc band (which is an older style) won't GET tight enough to give you restriction. 4cc's is just how much it HOLDS, not how big the stoma or opening is. Have you discussed that with your doctor?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I just nosed around (very quickly) and that appears to be the case. Inamed originally marketed 9.75 and 10cc bands that held only 4cc's in them. They are the old style bands. Then there was an interim 10 cc band, and now they have the AP (for "advanced platform) bands in 2 sizes...one holds 10 ccs and the large holds 14ccs .

Having read this, if I were you, I'd call my surgeon and ask why he used the older style band, and what he suggest you do since you still don't have any restriction?

If it only holds 4ccs, then he likely won't be able to tighten it enough to help you. How odd, huh?

[jms462001 9]

But, it should take more than 4cc because some of it is held in the port as she says, and I think I have read that even the larger bands can actually take more cc's than the size they are. Her Dr. just doesn't want to accept that fact I guess so she is looking for some documentation to give him. Good luck to you!!!

[jeannebs1 0]

How interesting to read your post! Our situations are very similar. However, I have a 10 cc APS band. I, too, have very little fat around my stomach (most of my weight being at my waist and below) and my doctor told my husband and myself immediately following surgery that he predicted it would take me much longer to reach restriction because of this. Well - he was right. I had 7.4 cc in my 10 cc band and felt absolutely no restriction. The surgeon also told me that all of the bands can actually hold much more saline than the designated size of the band and he has put in more than 12 cc in a 10 cc band on "a couple" of occasions. I went in for my 6th fill yesterday. This time (after expressing my repeated frustration at having to pay for so many fills and still not feeling any degree of restriction), the nurse practioner gave me 1 full cc, bringing me to a total of 8.4 cc in my 10 cc band. WHEW! I am now in the red zone... but absolutely refuse to have an unfill, at least for right now.

If you have been banded within the last year, it would be interesting to know why a doctor would use the old band (with some reported problems) as opposed to the new, improved bands.