Mary M. Riley

Hi Divebadger: The gurgling is not a problem, but frequent PB's ARE a big problem. You should avoid PB'ing, as you risk damaging your esophagus and/or your band slipping if you don't. If you damage your esophagus, the treatment is to empty your band for a few weeks or months,until it heals. If your band slips then it takes surgery to fix it. It takes time to get used to a new fill, especially a tight one. Make sure you are eating small bites, chewing very well, and eating slowly. If following these rules still makes you PB, then go to full liquids only for a few days, then try mushy foods for a couple of days, and then solids again. If you PB when you eat something, then the rule is NO MORE solid food FOR THAT DAY. Don't keep eating after a PB. This is VERY irritating to the esophagus, and I have known 2 people who had to have their band emptied because of this, and both gained weight. This can be easily avoided by going to liquids immediately. I have also heard that fills will loosen up over time, so give this one a try and see how it goes! Good luck, Mary in Sacramento

Yes, Yes, Yes! I had my 6th fill last Tuesday, and finally have tight restriction for the first time. I have also had a big increase in bodily noises! LOTS of gurgling and burping. I also have some discomfort in drinking Water and other liquids, as well as with eating. Although everything does go down, I am trying to get used to this discomfort which I never had before. I may also need a slight unfill, but plan to wait awhile, since this restriction has been so long in coming (surgery was last Dec., lost 35 lbs. so far). Mary in Sacramento

Hi everyone: I am Mary from Sacramento. I was banded on 12/10/02 by Dr. Bruce Wolfe at the University of California Davis Medical Center. My insurance at the time, Healthnet, paid for the surgery, and my new insurer, Blue Shield, has been paying for my fills. My starting weight was 262, present weight 232, need to lose 60 more lbs. to get to my goal wt. Although I have had 5 fills thus far, (last fill in May put me at 3 cc's in a 4cc capacity band) I have not yet had good restriction. The first 20 lbs. came off easily with the 2 week liquid diet right after surgery. The last 10 lbs. has come off slowly, as I can still eat anything, although not as much as before, but I can and do still overeat. The good news is that I am eating less than pre-band, my attitude toward food is slowly changing (I am no longer excited by the large portion meals and restaurants I used to love), I am easily maintaining my loss and have never gained any weight, have much more energy and am exercising most days, and I do feel my band work when I eat too fast or don't chew properly. I have another fill scheduled for tomorrow, and am looking forward to this being the "one" to get me to that sweet spot and start some weight loss happening!