Long term Bands and unfills

For those with the band over 5 yrs this is what I've been wondering.  I haven't had a fill in 4 yrs and have perfect restriction to date.  I have had no complications but I do wonder if at some point it would be good to have my band unfilled and give my stomach a break from the restriction.  I have been banded 7 yrs in April and I hate to mess with my fill level because honestly it's perfect but at some point during the maintenance period (for me over 4yrs now) should we be giving our stomachs a break at some point?  I'm going to ask my Dr who I honestly haven't seen in like 3 yrs.  but I'd love your thoughts!!!  Thanks, Karianne

I wouldn't. Look at the number of people who have an issue... suddenly they are too tight or a really bad stuck episode, or an unfill for a surgical procedure... farr too many cannot ever get good restriction again. I really think you are playing with fire.

Your thoughts mean a lot-thank you.  I agree with you and I was very lucky that I was able to keep my fill when I had surgery for my TT back in 08.  I see you're still doing well that's so great.  Kari

Im still preop, but I wanted to congratulate you on your success.  I can't wait to be able to achieve what you have someday.  Im curious to see what others say about this though 

Thank you so much-my weightloss was slow but steady!  took me close to 3 yrs to lose everything, then maintained a year-got my TT and have never looked back!  You'll do great! Kari

Karianne,

I know Im not a long term bandster but if I was in your shoes I would leave things alone.  as long as you are not having any health issues, you can keep food down I would not get a unfill at all especially if you have great restriction :o) 

That might end up causing you  problems in the long run if you get a unfill .

Thanks for the encouraging words!  I just remember yrs ago people used to talk about keeping the absolute least restriction needed to maintain.  I don't have any issues but wonder if I could continue maintaining my weight without a fill-but I have to be honest it does kinda scare me-sometimes I wish my brain had the band lmao! 

 If it ain't broke I would not fix it. If you are PROPERLY restricted with NO side effects, I would leave it as is. The problem is a lot of people are TOO TIGHT and that is the problem -- it is not wise to keep a too tight fill for long periods of time, I think as long as you are not too tight and don't have negative frequent side effects like frequent vomiting, reflux or heartburn, then I would say don't touch your restriction.

I have not had perfect restriction very long or long periods of time up until recently changing surgeons, my first year my restriction was good, then I lost weight and required more saline, then I got too tight and had to get a total unfill, then I had surgery and had to have a complete unfill and then my previous surgeon filled me either too tight or not enough, I went  a whole year with barely enough restriction and I gained some weight back, after playing yo-yo of either too tight and getting night time reflux or too loose and gaining weight, I got fed up with my previous surgeon and changed surgical practices and I am VERY HAPPY I did, my new surgeon found that my previous surgeon was not filling me properly, it only took 2 fills and I got to my sweet spot last year and I am very happy and losing again.

I don't believe I will need any more fills, my restriction now is stable and not going away, I can eat about 1 cup of solid food and I get full or satisfied quickly, I have no reflux or vomiting, I may get food stuck every now and then if I don't chew well or if I eat something too quick, I am most tight in the mornings, I have to be very careful, and by lunch time I can eat about 3-4 oz of chicken and a few spoons of some veggie, and dinner I can eat maybe half a turkey sandwich on wheat toast a few spoons of soup and I am stuffed. I love my band at 6 years post op!

Talk to your surgeon, if you are concerned get a Upper GI to check things out, I usually have my band checked once per year, but as long as I don't have any unusual pain, frequent vomiting other than a PB if I eat too fast, I know my band is secure and I don't fear any problems.

Edited to Add: This is another reason I love my band, the further out I get and the older I get I will probably remove a little bit more saline if I live to old age with my band this way if I need to take more medication or want to eat more I can.

Good luck, 

Thanks!  You still look absolutely terrific, I remember you from way back lol.  I'm glad your still doing well.  Kari

Thanks Karianne! It's always good to see other long term vets, you've done a great job with your band too.  One thing I noticed with my band may be significant as to getting complications and the ability to get to the "sweet spot", when I was going through the yo-yo of unfill and refill of being too tight and too loose (I've had a LOT of fills) . I decided to let things rest for a whole year and my port was not touched, and when I changed surgeons and they started to fill me, I found my sweet spot quickly after only 2 fills and I get NO reflux. I used to get night time reflux with the same level of restriction, I am wondering the less the band is messed with or the port being accessed...the less problems you may have, also when my band was unfilled or when I was a bit loose, I got more heartburn than I do when it is properly restricted I think when the band is loose acid rises up and the tightness of the band helps keep stomach acid from the lower stomach down, I even mentioned this to my surgeon and he agreed, and my band DOES NOT FEEL RIGHT NEAR EMPTY when I was totally unfilled it felt like I had NO BAND AT ALL, no restriction whatsoever....it feels funny as if the band is supposed to have saline in it. Right now my band feel perfect it's snug and a little tight, but not too tight to cause issues or reflux.

I would not touch my saline if I were you, it takes LOTS OF TWEAKING to find the sweet spot, and I honestly believe the sweet spot is hard to find, it took me a few years to get to mine again after a unfill, but I am not complaining I am very happy and content.