CindyB Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 I come out here a lot to read, but have only posted once. Your postings have been a big help, but I want to ask for some additional help. I got my first fill - 1.7 cc in Mexico at OCC, but felt no restriction. I live in Illinois so I couldn't afford to go back to Mexico again so I had my second fill - 1.2 cc (that brought me to 2.9 cc) in Chicago and it was too tight . I had an unfill - .5 which brought it down to 2.4 cc and I felt restriction for a few weeks but I have only lost 10 pounds since January so I thought maybe I needed another fill. These have been done under fluoroscope. I could feel restriction on some things, but not consistantly. so I just went back for my third fill - 1.2 cc and it is also too tight. Not sure if everything stays in, but that puts me at a total of 3.6cc in my 4 cc band. It looked fine on the xray. It is a two hour drive for me to go to Chicago so I waited over an hour after this last fill and drank lots of water to make sure I would be ok. I guess the swelling didn't kick in until later because I am right back in the same situation I was last time. Last night I had to sleep sitting up. I really don't want to drive back to Chicago only to have another unfill. Can anyone tell me if it I hang in there and just eat popsicles like after my surgery will the band settle down and possibly I won't need an unfill? I will make sure I don't get dehydrated. Has anyone waited out a tight fill and ended up with a good restriction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dontondan Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 As much as I hate to tell you, you had better get back down there and get some taken out! My fill is okay except when I am on my period and then I guess everything gets really tight. I have to be really careful and usually just do soups and stuff that is soft during those times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaMichelle Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 The only time I have heard of a fill loosening up is after a long period of time- like if you're losing a good amount of weight (your organs most shrink) or if some of the saline leaks/evaporates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calicat Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Wow - let us know. You're doing everything just as I would - getting fluoro, etc. I hope everything works out for you - please let us know your results! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nothereanymore Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 I have, but since you say you're sitting up I'm guessing you have heart burn and that's a pain. I kept myself really hydrated, no salty foods that could cause swelling, did not eat late and stuck to liquids for about a week. I then ate very small amounts and chewed like the dickens. Its hard since we are each different and you need to be careful so you don't end up getting sick or slipping your band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyB Posted May 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 WOW, I didn't think of the salty foods thing. #-o I had soup last night when I got back from Chicago so that might have made it worse. I haven't eaten today, but the doc that does my fill said liquids the next day anyway. I was planning on eating out tomorrow with my kids, so I guess that is out. I got an email back from the doctor and he said if it isn't better by Monday that I need to probably come back. Do you think it was worth not going back? I mean would you do it again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nothereanymore Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 When I have a fill I'm on liquids for 3 full days (I don't count the fill day). With the tight fill I stayed on liquids for a week. I did loose a lot of weight and I was very clean with what I ate, that most likely did loosen up the band a bit. But the truth is - I'd do whatever my doctor said. Take care and good luck! Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyB Posted May 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 You were ok after that week on liquids as long as you chewed everything really good? This fill doesn't feel quite as tight as the one in January so maybe I can do it. I think the doctor may be ok with it as long as I am able to keep hydrated. I talked to another one of his patients that was very uncomfortable for a week. Iwill see how I do tonight. You look amazing. Are you done? On that note, I have a few more questions if you have the time. How long did it take? How many fills did you end up having? Did you loosen the band up a little once you hit goal for maintenance? I get so frustrated since I haven't lost much. I am so glad I didn't tell anyone at work that I did this because I would be so embarrassed for having lost so little weight in 7 and 1/2 months. That is probably why part of me wants it to try to leave it tight You have been so sweet to help me out today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nothereanymore Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 After the week of liquids I could still eat very little and had to chew like crazy- it lasted a while and I think I lost about 20 to 25 pounds in 2 months with that fill. (thanks for the compliment)! I have the VG band which is the big one - I've had 9 fills, was banded 10/6/06 by Dr Ortiz, that averages about one every 60+ days. My high weight was 275 and I was 265 when I was banded. I still need to loose about 10 to 15 pounds - I'm been hovering at around the 150 mark and I'm actually 22 pounds less than I was in the picture which was taken in mid Jan. You have your ups and downs, it is learning how to better manage your eating. I'm not in maintenance yet, however I don't think I'll need another fill - when I reach my goal and if I continue to loose weight I may actually go in for an unfill. The only way I can keep my weight loss up is I keep my fills tight - and eat small meals, I also added in exercise and focus on the mental part of loosing the food addiction that I personally had. Its a struggle, and its not fast, remember its been over 18 months for me - but its a great tool since you remain healthy and its a constant reminder. Best, Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyB Posted May 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I will need the unfill afterall. I haven't slept more than a couple hours even sitting up in three days. I threw up all night last night from just two teaspoons of soup. I was so hungry so I thought I would be able to handle it. I was only able to keep a couple ounces of water down all day yesterday, so I am on my way to becoming dehydrated. I hope I can get it done today. This turned out to be way worse than last time. I wish Dr. Vitello did the fills on a week day other than Friday so I could go back the next day if it was to tight. As it is, I have had my second weekend from hell. In my head I hear myself thinking I never want another fill in my life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolittle Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I will need the unfill afterall. I haven't slept more than a couple hours even sitting up in three days. I threw up all night last night from just two teaspoons of soup. I was so hungry so I thought I would be able to handle it. I was only able to keep a couple ounces of water down all day yesterday, so I am on my way to becoming dehydrated. I hope I can get it done today. This turned out to be way worse than last time. I wish Dr. Vitello did the fills on a week day other than Friday so I could go back the next day if it was to tight. As it is, I have had my second weekend from hell. In my head I hear myself thinking I never want another fill in my life. This has happened to my wife too,, In fact,, your story is almost identical to hers. Its best to get the unfill,, the band is a tool,, its not ment to be the tool from "HELL". LOL. Email Dr. Vitello right away,, he'll probably want you to meet him ASAP to remove some saline. He's pretty good at taking care of problems like this. Let me know how things turn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nothereanymore Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Absolutely, I've never been in that position before - get it done fast and let us know when you are back! I've never had a fill experience like you had (twice) and I've had 9 fills. Its not normally that bad for most, so don't give up - I'm sure there's nothing worse than feeling bad like that! Take care, Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom12 Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 There was a lady in Dr. O's office the day of my surgery who had some erosion from being filled to tight and had to have all of the saline removed for two weeks before she could come back and have a refill. It's not worth the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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