Why Does a Fill Seem to "Disappear?"

[Leenerbups]

hey all

I was filled (1.5 in a 4cc) in July. I can eat anything now. ABout 2 cups worth. What happened to my fill.??

I haven't lost any more weight, so it's not like my anatomy has gotten smaller.:wacko:

[Jachut]

There's a couple of reasons I believe - one is that you do tend to swell a bit when the fill is just done, and that can last a week or two. So you get restriction that's more due to swelling than to the level of fill in your band. And secondly fluid does either "settle" or leach out of the band ever so slightly.

It took me till my fifth fill to have real restriction that's stuck.

[Tricia K.]

Leener, you may not have lost any weight but I bet you've lost inches, especially around your abdomen. When that happens, your band loosens and you need another fill.

[Leenerbups]

Thanks all. Makes sense. :-)

[PhotoNut]

Hi Leener! *clanks on the cowbell while she posts*

I'm curious. Did you feel this change in your restriction happen over a period of time, or was it an all-of-a-sudden thing? Does it come and go or is it just "loose" all of the time?

I know I've had great restriction in the past but occassionally there will be stretches of time that it seems as tho I don't even have a band. Then just when I think I'm going to go in and get a fill, it clenches up again.

We've heard, the band is a fickel bitch with a mind of its own, but I think it's our stomachs that are fickel. I think our bodies are constantly changing inside and out and that has a large impact on our retriction. Much like a ring can be falling off of your finger one day, then cutting off the circulation the next.

Do you think it's just a phase or has it been this way a while now?

If you go in to get a fill, be sure your Dr. pulls out what's in the band to see how it compares to what -should- be in there. Let us know what you decide to do ok?

*clanks some more*

[LindaV]

Hey Leener,

I need to get a fill every 4-6 weeks. As soon as I lose somewhere between 5-10 pounds my restriction lessens significantly.

I asked my band doc why I need frequent fills as compared to those who's fills are few and far between. He told me that as we lose weight and burn fat, we burn fat in our stomach organ as well. As that fat is lost, your actual stomach organ does get smaller (just like the rest of you) and the band becomes looser and provides less restriction.

Since I need fills so frequently I figure I must have a very fatty stomach. I think those individuals who don'd need fills as often probably have much less fat in their stomach. My surgeon assures me that once the fat in my stomach organ is gone I will eventually get to a place where my restriction lasts much longer.

[meme]

When I had my first fill I go 2cc. When I went in for my 2nd fill she took out what was in and could only get out 1 1/2 out. She said that she did not think that I had a leek, but with the 1cc I got , and what I had , I have a toal
of 2 1/2cc. She said I have 3cc but I don't feel it.

[meme]

With or without a fill, I'm going to do this!!

[Leenerbups]

Interesting info, thanks for posting it.

Hey P-Nut. A week after my fill I had lovely restriction, but then again, we all know I am The Swellers Poster Child. Then it left.....gone. And it's a consistant "gone".

Going next week to the doctors, I'll let you know!

[meme]

I know that with my band I can not eat the amount of food that I was eatting. the band has helped me so much. I go back to my Dr. Dec.6, I'm going to see how I do for now. Maybe I can get 20lb off by then!

[Kathy473]

Mine has been very fickle so I am going to just go at it on my own for awhile...I figure I will go at the beginning of the year and get a fill (after holidays) and get it measured and filled again. Some days I have some restriction and others I snack all day and it goes right through! So, I am going to increase my exercising and water and watch what I eat until I go back in January '07. So, it happens and it sucks! :mad: Crazy little band...:wacko: