I hate to be negative or ungrateful, but I am really down right now about the level of restriction my swedish band is (NOT) providing. So far I've had 4 fills, equalling a total of 9 cc, and my band only holds 9 cc. I still feel very little restriction. I can still eat just about anything, including bread. It takes a lot of willpower to eat like a bandster at this point because I can eat more than a bandster portion if I want.

I feel discouraged because I paid $15,000 for this device, and I (mostly) don't even realize it's there! I do appreciate that the band has made me more conscious of my eating (eating slower, taking smaller bites, chewing more thoroughly) but I am really disappointed that I don't get that full feeling. So what do I do now? Pretend that I have restriction and just eat as a bandster, ignoring that nagging feeling that I've wasted my money?

My first fill was done under fluoroscopy, and my band appears to be positioned right where it should be. That first fill showed a good restriction too. But like all of my fills I feel the restriction at first, but after a couple of days, the swelling goes down and I no longer feel the restriction.

For two of my fills, my surgeon has pulled out some Fluid (not all fluid, I don't believe) to be sure that there was fluid in my band. I'm at a loss as to what could be the problem. The other surgeon in my clinic said that it is possible but very rare to fill the band to capacity and still feel very little restriction--and this scares me.

Regardless, I will lose this weight, whether or not this tool provides the restriction that I was promised it would. It will be difficult, but I'm going to do it. I'm just in a kind of mourning right now about not having any restriction in my band.

I plan on calling the clinic tomorrow so I can make an appointment to speak with my surgeon about this later in the week, but in the mean time, has anyone else had this issue? Can you offer any advice or support? Is it possible to fill a 9 cc band beyond the 9 cc?

If it were me I would demand that my Dr. check for a leak. Sounds strange, almost like you do have a slow leak..if you have restriction in thebeginning but it goes away in a couple of days and if the Dr. is not pulling out all of what he put in..I would beconcerned I have a leak. I would go in and aks him to remove all of my fluid and see if there is 9cc's like you said..if not then demand a leak test.

Yup, I would suspect a leak as well. I've played with a band, and capacity should give you too much restriction, given that the band is placed correctly.

Good luck, and keep us posted

I too just had a fill (three weeks ago), my first, and actually feel less restricted than I did before the fill. I haven't lost any weight and can eat anything i want. I feel like i did before the surgery, hungry all the time...trying not to overeat, but it's like before....

I also am experiencing some kind of pain at night...I sleep on my back and about a week ago I started waking up with this sore feeling at my port site...I check it everyday and there isn't any redness, swelling or heat....really strange....

I have an appt in another week, I keep hoping it will kick in before I go and complain....

I m not far from capacity either and I dont have the restriction everyone talks about. My Dr wont do a leak test either, but I am going in on Thursday and I will demand he does one. I actually hope he has been missing my port and I really only have half of what we thought in there. I know it probably wont be the case but at least I will know why I can have so much fluid in my band and not alot of restriction. Let me know how you go and I will let you know.