Please Advise!! I'm desperate for answers!!!

[Seattlelight 0]

I had surgery May 27th, 2008. I've had 6 fills. Before each fill, my doctor retracts the Fluid from the band and every time it is only holding 2.5cc's. Even though I've had fills as high as 6cc's. Yes, I had the leak test done and it was negative. My doctor believes it could be leaking from the silicone port but thinks it will fix itself because it has for other patients. I will have restriction for about 10 days and loose 5-7lbs. However, once I stop the 48hr liquid phase after each fill, and put any solid food in my mouth... the weight loss stops and I gain back almost all of what I just lost. So, for the rest of the month I drink Protein shakes and eat 2 ounces of food 2-3 times a day. Yes, my overall weight loss looks good, but I'm tired of loosing 5lbs during the liquid phase just to struggle all month to keep it off. Is this just how it is for some of us... A liquid diet??? Or should I push my doctor into replacing my port??? Please advise... I'm going crazy!!! :w00t:

I've lost 52lbs Total - 35lbs After Surgery (in 10 months) Not what I expected!!! :lunch:

Edited March 17, 2009 by Seattlelight

[Brockbabe82 0]

Something just doesn't sound right. You need to tell your doc that he needs to do something about this, this is your health , you cannot just sit and wait for this to get better. If your surgeon continues to sit and act as if this is nothing then perhaps you should look elsewhere and find a surgeon who is willing to help you. I hope things get better for you, keep us posted, and keep your head up.

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

Hi there, I'm trying to see if I understood you correctly.. You have lost a total of 87 pounds in 10 months??? That's very good, but the part about the leak sure doesn't sound good to me... I'd be pushing that doctor to do something about it rather than just waiting to see...

Now back to the weight loss... I understand the back and forth thing.. That happens to me all the time.. I have 8 cc's in a 14 cc band.. Last fill was 2-24 and had restriction for a few days, but not much any more.. I can feel it pretty well in the mornings, but by evening I'm hungry and craving things I shouldn't have... I hate to go for another fill so soon, but also hate this plateau thing I do for 3 weeks before a fill... I lose 5+ pounds from the liquid stage after the fill and then struggle to keep it off the rest of the time until another fill... Sounds just like what you described... But I don't have a leak.. They check mine each time and it is all there... I guess we just have to keep plugging along... I still have a long way to go, how about you??? Talk to your doctor and be assertive with him... It's your body after all!! good luck... Julie

[Seattlelight 0]

Hi Mrs. Bubba and thanks for your reply.

To clarify, I've lost 52lbs total. 17 pre-surgery and 35 after surgery.

I do have restriction for about 10 days, then I have to restrict myself to the small quantities of food. But it doesn't matter because I gain most of the weight back. Is it because my band looses it's Fluid down to 2.5cc's? Or, is that just how the band works?

[kiz 1]

For a lot of us, especially with the first fills when the weight is coming off quickly, there is a reduction in restriction w/i two to four weeks, but what you are describing is something completely different. I've lost some fill too, which I really don't think is lost, so much as with low pressure bands, not all the Fluid can be retracted. I've never had the experience where the doctor has given me 6 cc and only 2.5 cc can be pulled out, and you've had this happen on a number of occasions.

One thing they can do is to use dye in the saline, and under x-ray, they can check for a leak. If that's the leak test they did, and it came up negative, I'm not sure what the next step is. I'd like to know that too.

Also, if the leak isn't very bad, they can use a special saline (sort of like "fix a flat"), that is thicker, and I've heard it can do the trick. From what I understand, a leak at in the band itself is rare, but not impossible, and most leaks are in the port or in the tubing attached at the port area.

I hope you're able to get this resolved soon.

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

No, Seattle, that is not how the band is supposed to work... I watch when they do mine and the last time she pulled out 7 cc's before putting 8 cc's back in.... There should be no leak.. So, I hope Kiz is right that there is some special saline that will stop the leak for you... That "sweet spot" everyone talks about is there for us, just waiting, and then the weight is going to melt off.. I can hardly wait for that time..even if it is short lived.... I, too, am tired of feeling like I'm battling this on my own most of the time.. My willpower issues are what always had me gaining back lost weight in years past.. I don't want to have to rely only on willpower to do this.. I need my band to help me!!!! I just made an appointment for another fill for 3-30..... Last time she felt as though I was very close because of the way the 8 cc's went in... She may only give me .5 this time and if so, then I'm praying it will do the trick... You hang in there and talk to your doctor... If they don't help you, find someone who will..... Julie

[maria79 0]

I was banded in April and had lost 23 lbs. I never felt any restriction. Only to find out that I had a whole in my tubing. Had it replaced in Oct and now am losing very sloooow. I have the small band that holds 4cc. I am almost to my max. I am hoping for the best. You should have your Dr. find out if you indeed have a leak, and how is it going to be fixed.

[Rteest 0]

I'm sure you have a leak going on somewhere, that will not fix itself. It could be the port, tubing, or the band itself. Whatever it is needs to be found and replaced. Dr's i think dont like to hear that theres a leak bacause they know its money out of their pocket to have to go back in and replace something. It could have been faulty from the company or perheps the dr, on giving you a fill, poked the needle in the wrong place and caused the leak. 2 people in my support group have had leaks, one in the tubing, because her port had turned and the other person had a band leak. The port and tubing were replaced, but shes till fighting with insurance as to who will pay for it. The other person found to have a band leak, is stuck. The company would not admit to a faulty band and if he wants another he will have to pay for it himself.

I wish you luck, but if they take the Fluid out and its less than what they but in there is definately a leak. Be assertive and make the dr follow through with fixing things.

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

Hey Seattle, How are you doing? Has your doctor come up with a plan for you yet? Hope you are hanging in there.. It's so hard when we get discouraged.. I've been there and it's just no fun at all.... Take care and let us know how you are doing.....