calliaz

Hi! I've read here for a while, but rarely post. I've been putting my head in the sand and I need :help: . I am planning to call my doc (Ortiz) however, I'd like to get some opinions and good ways of putting together my details before I call. I'm afraid I'll call and not do a good job of describing what is happening. I was banded 2 years ago and have only lost 35 pounds. Even with quite a few fills and unfills, I still can't really eat most of the time and I'm gaining weight. Most days of the month, I can't eat all day. I have a coffee in the morning or early afternoon. I can then drink Water. Sometimes, I can eat some Soup around 3pm. Occasionally, I can eat some of what I made my family for dinner. Other times I eat crap like ice cream. Many days, I can't even get that down. I would think I was too tight, but there are days where I am wide open. I can eat a full meal without pause. When I started, I hardly felt any restriction after 3 fills. I lost no weight early on and gained what I lost pre-surgery. I got about 4 fills before I got a very agressive fill that had to be taken out. Some of that time I felt restriction, but it is like feast or famine. I can either eat with little problem or I can only drink (and some days getting fluids is a tough thing). I have never experienced the feeling of being able to eat a small meal and feel full. I either eat a couple of bites, feel pain and PB. Or, I can eat a mountain. Does this make sense? If I tell my doctor this exactly this way, will he understand? Does anyone have any advice. I am pretty desperate.

My band is 10 cm.

Thanks, I will. I would be more concerned about a slip if things had changed since I last had the barium swallow. It's just always been this way. I feel like I have never experienced what the others here have experienced.

I stop eating and then generally do liquids at the next meal. If the liquid goes down, then I will also try to eat some solids. Also when you do PB...is it your body forcing the food out, or does it hurt to a point you gag yourself or something like that? I agree it is time to call the Dr. Get his professional opinion. Good Luck to you! Kat I don't gag myself, but it isn't uncontrollable, either. If I get pain, I will try and wait to see if it goes down by sort-up letting it come up and go back down a few times within my stomach/esophagus. If it doesn't go through, I can go and let it come up. It isn't vomiting, but I do have control. I am going to call. Is there a Dr. Ortiz patient with a suggestion on who to call? Should I call his number (if I can find it) or just call the office and leave a message?

I have considered this, but the Hot drinks aren't really working most of the time. Some days, I can't even get the drink down over the course of an hour. When I think it's ok and I move on to a sold, I PB. It's something to consider, though. That's the problem. It's so frustrating. I console myself knowing that it isn't just a 35 pound weight loss. I have not gained anything. I would be over 400 pounds by now without the band. Thanks!

Wow. I hadn't heard that about allergies. I do constantly have post-nasal drip. I also have allergic excema and other problems related to allergies. That could be something to consider. My fill should be about 2.5ml right now. I was as high as 3.8 when I got too much. I got unfills to 3.5 and 3 before going to 2.5.

I go see Dr. Martinez (at Ortiz's office )when I think I need a fill. I also have a local PA who will do fills and unfills. Mostly, I am on my own. He was involved a year ago when I had the huge overfill. I have not brought all my current problems to him. I'm planning on it as soon as I know what I want to say. I've had most of my fills done under x-ray with a barium swallow with no problems seen. It's been about 11 months since my last scan. I have not had an endo. Sometimes. I generally back-load my water at night. I really only get in about a quart, though. I've never had anything like what I've read about here. I've been way too loose and way too tight. Now I'm both at the same time. I've been in this "both" stage for about 9 months. A Protein and a veggie. I make fajitas and eat the chicken breast and veggies with nonfat sour cream while DH and DS eat tortillas and rice. On an open day, I could eat a 3/4 cup or more with no "stop" signals. On a tight day, I take 1-2 bites and feel the need to PB. Very much so. I have noticed that some nights if I am up late I am really loose around midnight. I can't eat anything in the morning. No. <hangs head in shame>

Just to give some examples, I thought I'd give some daily meal info: Tight day (this is today minus the ice cream) 1. Venti nonfat latte ~10a-12pm 2. Try to eat Lowfat Tomato and Roasted peper puree soup. PB after about 2 tbs. ~2-3p 3. Eat one or two goldfish crackers with son ~4-5 4. Cook dinner, eat a few bites of soup ok, try to eat a bite of dinner. PB after 2-3 bites. ~6-7 5. Decide I am hungry, eat ice cream. ~11 Loose day 1. Venti coffee ~10a-12p 2. Eat some soup, things go well, eat other stuff (unplanned because I didn't know I would be able to eat)~2-3 3. Try to eat more snacky crap ~4-5 (Sometimes I PB here and the loose day is over) 4. Eat dinner with the family.