Fills and Unfills

 I would like to know if you had a constant battle with unfills for any reason and finally had a total unfill. Did it help when you started getting fills again. My band seems to be at a good spot and for no reason will tighten up resulting in a small un fill. I let it rest for 3 months and when I had .2cc put back its good for 2-3 weeks and starts tightening up again for no reason(not having any problem with food when it does this) just a tightening in my chest that leaves my head thinking the top is going to explode.I have a .2cc window I feel I have no band and when I get a fill .2cc adjustment  it becomes to tight up over time.  I am wondering if a total unfill and re fill slowly would help.This has been going on for about a year.  Any vets that can give some advice? Is there  anyone that has  had a total unfill that did good when refilled?
thanks

I have had a similar experience as you. Being hungry, then a slight fill making me too tight. It was very frustrating. However I have been successful in loosing the weight- 107 pounds. I now keep my band very loose, had a large unfill (1.5 cc) after maintaining my goal weight for a few months. I wanted to be able to eat some pasta, bread et... I also wanted to be able to eat breakfast. Before the unfill I was too tight in the morning and could only do a protien shake. Just my experience, I don't think I really answered your question, as I haven't tried getting refilled. I think it's worth a try, hopefully your insurance covers the fills/unfills and your doc. isn't too far away. Good luck!

Thanks for your reply, you have done fantastic with your weight lossI have never had a problem eating anything at any time of the day thats why I cant figure out why my chest gets tight and food doesnt get stuck. I think I am going to have an unfill to let things rest and see what happenes I am at a stand still now I cant exersise due to pressure so I really dont think I have any thing to lose. just not sure how long to leave it unfilled

I did that for 2 years except for the refill part. I just kept feeling tighter, got a 1cc unfill, good for a few months. Then another 1 cc unfill again good for a few mos. Finally a month ago I just got it totally unfilled and there was 6 cc still there so I was fuller than I thought. However I don't intend to get mine refilled because it costs $225 for every fill and unfill. I just can't afford to play the game anymore! So far I'm at the same weight so yeah I haven't gained but I'm still 100 lbs from my goal. Personally I'd rather weigh 300 lbs again than live with this tight band. I still have restriction even empty, I can eat bread but not alot so it's still helping. I just didn't want to end up like so many others needing a revision cause I can't afford that either. I wouldn't be able to afford a band removal either so hopefully this will keep that from happening.

Wow sounds like you have had a hard time. Glad you have maintained you loss Hope you continue  to do so. It does get frustrating.. I think I am going to try and get it unfilled and start over. I really don't have any thing to lose at this point. Hopefully it will work out. Thanks for your reply  I will keep you posted on how it goes

I'm very sensitive to fills at this point. I had .5 cc put in at the end of December and in March had to have .2 taken out. Somedays I feel like I need to go have a bit more out, but I've heard people say after they had all taken out that they never achieve that sweet shot again.

Good luck to you finding the right balance.

That's what I am afraid of not hitting the sweet spot the second time around since I didnt find it the first time around, That's why I was asking if any one has had it done and what was the out come.  I am a little afraid to do it. thanks for replying I appreciate it

I have been fighting this same problem for about the last 1 1/2 years.  My problem is due to allergies.  I am also very sensitive to fills.  I will get a fill, then have to go in and get a partial unfill within 2 weeks of the fill.  The first 1 1/2 years of having surgery, I lost 172 lbs.  Now I have only lost and gained the same 30 lbs over the last 1 1/2 years.  It is very frustrating.  My doctor has said that when you get the lap band, some people's allergies become worse.  I am one of those people.  Allergies cause mucus, and mucus plugs up your band, and nothing can go down.  I usually cannot eat until after 5pm at night.  This makes it very hard to stick to a good diet. I take allergy medication daily, but it still does not solve the problem.  I hope they find a cure for this mucus problem!

Thanks for the reply Susan, It looks like you have also done fantastic even with the allergy problem. I have an appointment tomorrow I am going to ask my doctor to do a complete unfill for a while and see if I can just let things calm down  I am really getting tired of the back and forth appointments.  Sure hope I am doing the right thing. I have always new I was sensitive to fills but it has gotten worse the last year I have always had Small fills .1 to .5 at at time. I am really hoping the unfill will help and will start refilling slowly again in a month or two.

I have never had a total unfill.  The most they have taken out is 1cc.  My fills are usually small, around .2 cc's.  A little bit goes a long way for me.

I am curious to see how the unfill goes for you.  Keep us posted!

Ask your doctor about allergies and mucus.  Even when I do not feel like I have a sinus infection, or excess mucus, the lap band doc tells me otherwise (when I go for an unfill).  90% of my unfills have been because of mucus.

Good Luck!