Fills

I have yet to get a fill, but I have been seeing that some people eat right before a fill. I guess not all Drs. have you do an upper GI after a fill...I am wondering how this is possible?? How else do you check to make sure the band didn't slip?

 In common with many others, I have never had a fill under XRay.

Many docs believe that any unnecessary exposure to radiation should be avoided. Checking for slips at every fill appointment is generally seen as unnecessary and my doc says that doing the actual fill under XRay carries no benefit as the living tissue under the band changes so it only shows how food passes through st that minute. For example, in my own case, if I had a fill in the morning, I would be considerably tighter than at night, or in different weather, or if I were stressed.

Being so long banded, I do now have a routine barium swallow every 18 months or so - it is years since I had a fill.

Kate

Some surgeons use floroscopy to do fills, but it's not to check for a slip, it's so they can watch fluid go through the opening to make sure you aren't too tight.  My surgeon doesn't do this because like Kate said he feels it's unnecessary exposure to radiation if it's used for every fill over time.

My surgeon recommends an upper GI once a year to check band placement, etc. which is optional but I have kept up with it be it gives me peace of mind.

Don't stress yourself worrying about slips.  It will drive you crazy.  The only thing within YOUR power that can help avoid a slip is to not overfill your pouch and don't eat to where you are vomitting often.  Having a slip is all of our worst fear, but it doesn't help to worry excessively.  Just follow the band rules and you've done everything within your power.  Slips can and do happen for other reasons but control what you can control and the rest leave to fate.

BTW, I eat normall when I have fills.  A fill isn't as big an issue as you imagine.  It's just another one of those unknowns that come with a new experience.

Best~
Lisa O.

 Thank you for the responses! You both make great points! I guess I am still getting use to the fact that the "rules and regulations" for living with the band are not universal and are on a case by case basis. 

Upper GI's are only required only if there is suspect or problems with the band such as frequent vomiting or reflux. Most surgeons may order a Upper Gi yearly during a routine check to make sure the pouch size has not significantly increased.

I don't know of ANY surgeon that would order a fill under fluoroscope each and every time they perform a fill (but I am sure they exist), not only is it expensive but frequent exposure to radiation can be harmful.

Also I would not allow a surgeon to use fluoroscopy to fill me to rim, the band is adjustable for a reason and fills should be done in small increments gradually and not one or two big huge fills, this is why you get various results of complications, you have some surgeons not following Allergan recommendations.

My new band surgeon ordered a fill under fluoroscope to thoroughly check the position of my band when I was his new patient, but each subsequent fill did not require a fill under fluoroscope, I would not allow a surgeon to fill me under fluoroscope each and every month, that would not make sense, they should be skilled enough not to use fluoroscope at each fill adjustment.

 If I had a fill under fluoroscopy every time.. I'd now be glowing in the dark.  ::grin::  A bit of an exaggeration, but I did have frequent fills the first year.  :)

While an individual fluroscopy doesn't give much radiation, the effect IS cummulative over time. I'd prefer to save my exposure for when absolutely necessary.

That being said, I do get an UGI yearly to check band placement.  My surgeon doesn't think it's necessary, but I DO.

I don't think that band slips are all that common.  And generally there are symptoms that go along with a slip that hint at what is going on.

Hope this helps.

Just wondering how many fills you had the first yr.?