Desperately need Advice

I tried to find an answer with some people here at work but they do not have the band and they do not understand that there is a reason that I had this done.  I was told I should be used to eat small amounts even without a fill.  I have no restriction, I am eating trying to find that restriction but it is not there and when I am done I ate a whole meal.  That is why I am turning in to you guys.  I need advise.  As I posted last week, I went to have my fill done on Tuesday of last week.  The doctor gave me a fill then put me on the x-ray machine and drank the white stuff, he said I was too tight, he put me on that table 3 times to get an unfill because he said I was too tight.  I came in with 1.8 and I had to leave with 1.0.  I could tell I was completely open by drinking water.  I feel that I do not have a band inside of me.  I tried to reason with the doctor but he said that he goes by the x-ray machine and could not do anything for me.  That supposedly if he put some more in I would be closed up that it is malpractice.  Well, after a week, I can still feel no restriction of course.  So I called the doctor’s office and complained again.  The secretary said he will take me in at no charge but if he felt the need of having it under x-ray I have to pay $100; that the facility where the X-ray machine is does not belong to the doctor and they are charged for each patient.  They would not give me a refund and I have to travel all the way from Austin, TX to Dallas .  I am so depress and I ashamed to say this I gained weight since this and I cannot think straight.  What should I do?

For starters your dr. sounds like a piece of work.  1 cc only primes the band and doesn't really give you any restriction....but on occasion does work for some people.  I wasn't one of them.  That 1 cc did absolutely nothing for me and I had to forcibly stop myself from over-eating.  It was like having no band.  I didn't hvve any restriction until 2.5 cc.  Everyone is different. My dr. doesn't  fill under fluoroscopy, but he always lets me tell him what I think I need or don't need and what problems or symptoms I might be having.  I have never had an unfill.  I have gotten fills gradually and am feeling this one. I hate to say it, but you are going to have to change drs. I think.  I drive 3 hr. each way to see my dr. for a 10 minute visit.  When I go home to Idaho I will be driving 4 1/2 hr. to get fills. I wouldn't stay with a dr. that didn't listen to me and says he is "going by an x-ray machine".....that's my take on it. God Bless, Dee

Thank you so much for responding.  I think I am going to get this fill done with him under no fluro and never come back again.  I was told doc was not going to charge me so I'll take it.  How can you tell if you get the right fill with no fluro?  Do they make you drink water and see if it goes down fine?  How can the doc or you tell?

My doctor does the fills in his office with no fluro.  He relies on his own expertise and my input.  He asks me several questions before a fill.  He looks over my chart to see the progress of my weight loss.  He asks if I have any frothing (sliming) or vomiting.  He asks what I am eating and how much.  After evaluating the above, he decides if I'm getting a fill or not.  I tried pushing him one time, but I backed down because I remembered a friend of mine who pushed for a fill and wound up in the E.R. getting an unfill less than 24 hours later.  I paid my surgeon good money for his advice, so I take it.  There was one occasion I didn't get a fill because he felt I didn't need it.  I think he was right.   After a fill, I sit up and sip a glass of water to be sure I'm not too tight. 

Right now I am at 3 cc's in a 4 cc band (1 cc first fill, 1 cc second fill, .5 cc third fill, and .5 cc fourth fill).  They say generally it takes 3-5 fills to get proper restriction.  It took me four, so I guess I am completely normal! (well, at least where the band is concerned!).

Jo-Ann

No Offense...but you need to find a new doctor. He seems like a quack!! You should be at least filled to 1.25 or 1.50. Putting you at 1.00 is not going to help you and the fact that you were at 1.8cc is crazy that he would put you at 1.00. He is setting you up to fail and I would tell him that!!! I would find a new doctor and see what they say.

First take a deep breath.  Calm yourself down.  So we all agree that you need to find a new doctor ok fine, but right now you have to look at your progress and think about how you got there.  By your ticker you have lost 70lbs.  That is great.  How did you do it?  Was it all the band or before this fill incident, were you watching what you were eating, drinking, how much exercise are or were you doing.  Small changes in your diet and exercise can make such a huge difference.   Don't worry about the fill so much I know easier said than done.  Just think about changes you can make before your next appointment.  Jenn