Serious hollow on my wrist caused by wearing Fitbit Charge

[SunsetRunner]

Hello, I have been wearing my Fitbit Charge HR since November. I love it, but I am concerned that I know have some serious wasting/indentation/hollow on the upper side of my wrist. I do not wear it too tight - it has to be tight enough to record my heart rate. I do not wear it at night, so it is only during the day, and it is on my non-dominant hand. I have removed it now, and reluctant to put it back on.

Would this be grounds for a refund, since I really don't want to continue to wear it.

[Jrdubyakc · Accepted solution]

@SunsetRunner If you purchased from Fitbit, you have 45 days from the date of purchase to request a refund.  If you purchased from a store, you will need to check their return policy.  If you are outside of those timelines, your best bet for inquiring about a refund would be contacting customer service.  Are you wearing it loose enough to slip two fingertips under the band?  It doesn't have to be super tight to read the heart rate.  May need to be a little tighter during strenuous exercise, but it can be worn pretty loose during general daily wear.

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you for your reply!

[Brk1123]

Mine is not right. If I put it down a loop it falls off my wrist and I also have an indent that will not go away.

*tight is what I meant

Moderator edit: merged reply

[SunsetRunner]

Hello
Fitbit have offered me the money back but I have to cut it up and send a photo. I still have a hollow even after not wearing it for over a month.

Angie Evans
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[Brk1123]

Then they obviously know that they can cause permanent damage. That's scary. Have you gotten your money back?

[SunsetRunner]

I haven't sorted it yet, partly because I hate to think of cutting up my Fitbit, and they haven't confirmed how much they will refund me (I paid £99 and the price varies depending on when you purchased it), and they wanted my bank details to send me the money via a transfer which concerned me. I wanted to use Paypal.

I may just take a loss and sell it on Ebay!

Angie Evans
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[alwellborn]

I have the same problem.  I really like my Fitbit and was debating whether to continue and have a "disfigured" wrist or attempt to get my money back.  I think I am leaning towards the latter.

For what it's worth, though, my dad is a dermatologist.  I showed him my wrist today and asked him why it would do that, and he said it's certainly not a health concern - it's just the fatty tissue just under the skin rearranging itself in response to the pressure of the device.  He likened it to an indention one might develop around one's waist after continually wearing tight pants.  He said it will likely go away with time.

[SunsetRunner]

Hello
That is very interesting and thank you for sharing. I still have an indentation so it does take a long time to go back to normal but that may be my age. I managed to get a refund so was very happy. Not so happy I had to destroy a perfectly good tracker!

Angie Evans
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[sarcasmbunny]

I have the same issue with the Surge. I often wear it when I sleep. I'm going to stop now I really really like wearing it. But this is just, my wrist is deformed. I've been wearing it since December, I take it off on weekends. I wonder if the new blaze has a heart rate monitor like the last few models that stick out. I'd rather spend the money on a heart rate monitor that doesnt deform my wrist. 

I've heard you can get a refund, within the time frame, I'm no longer withing that. But did anyone figure out a relative amount of time it will take for my wrist to go back to normal?

[jp_in_nj]

Based on the fact that the markings are all around the wrist, and not just where the electronics press against the skin, I'd say it's like any other skin indentation. My wedding ring mark will never come off, I'm pretty sure (and I'm not about to ask for a refund 🙂 )

Drink lots of water. If that doesn't work, spackle's pretty cheap at Home Depot!

[sarcasmbunny]

Well okey dokey then.

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[SunsetRunner]

Hello

I had my Fitbit and was able to get a refund after six months. Worth a try!

Angie Evans
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[SunsetRunner]

A bit flippant lol! My dent is not all round (like a wedding ring) but just where the protruding HR is.

Angie Evans
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[sarcasmbunny]

I'll give it a try to return. Mine isn't like a ring either. It's mostly where the heart rate monitor say and slightly where the tab on the band was. It even moved the tendons in my wrist and the hair is gone on that spot as well as a slightly purple tint to the skin. I had a ring on for years and took it off. Took about a year for my finger to go back to normal. Maybe it would be similar. It just really scared me!

I'll have to get in touch with their customer care and see what I can do. I'm glad I'm not the only one going through this. I was worried. I saw a comment on here about a girl saying that her dermatologist father said it was adipose tissue being rearranged so that's good at least!

Thank you for the advice 🙂

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[Brk1123]

Mine is also where the HR is located and not the band. That's why it doesn't have to do with how tight the band is because mine is loose. I've tried explaining that to Fitbit and they keep saying I'm wearing it too tight. I'm getting angry because I haven't worn mine in two months and the dent is the same.

[SunsetRunner]

I am disappointed for you that they aren't helping you at Fitbit. I didn't have an issue with them offering me a refund. I did send photos though. Keep trying and be firm!

Angie Evans
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[sarcasmbunny]

Yeah I would 100% send photos. Mine was so lose it would fall down my wrist and not even touch the top of my arm. It's still there. And really creepy looking. Show them how you're wearing it. I wonder if they are reluctant to do anything because this seems to be becoming a big issue. I noticed with the design on the blaze that it isn't bulbous like the last few models. (But there isn't gps for runners!) it may be spendy but worth it to upgrade if they are willing to perhaps refund you for the amount of your charge as a credit towards another model?

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[DianeinMich]

@SunsetRunner@sarcasmbunny I have the Blaze. The HR monitor is a rectangle that sticks out of the back of the tracker. I think it's very similar the the Charge HR's monitor. I get an indentation from it, but it goes away quickly. I've only been wearing it for about a month, though. 

[SunsetRunner]

I wore mine for four months before I realised what was happening. Hopefully it won't happen to you.

Angie Evans
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