CharlesSD

So... I had to get a complete unfill yesterday... Dr. Acosta at Dr. Ortiz's practice, is their fill specialist, he said I've stretched my pouch quite a bit. Apparently, I had been over-filled for some time. He said that was causing my reflux, feeling of no restriction, and lack of weight loss in some time. He said: "Reflux is NOT okay, and not something I have to just 'live with'. If you have chronic reflux, something is WRONG. It usually means your band is too tight." I could have hugged him! The good news is that he said I was smart to come see him when I did. He removed all the saline from my band, put me on a liquid-only diet for a week, and said to come see him in 3 weeks. He said that the issues I had, and the enlarged pouch, were just a precursor to a slipped band. Man am I ever glad I went to see him. He said that it'll probably settle back down to a normal size, then I'll have normal restriction again, and no reflux! This is going to sound a bit silly, but I think it is returning to a normal size already. Gravity must help. I felt like things were rearranging themselves in there even as I sat in the car waiting to cross the border. A bowl of Soup gets me full again! Can you believe that? I just thought I'd share my scare (lesson) with you all. --Mike P.S.: I think it's very cool that OCC has a doctor specializing in fills. He is VERY good at it, and can spend more time with you that Dr. Martinez could. P.P.S.: Sorry if this sounds like a commercial for OCC. It's not. I am just so darn happy to be getting these problems taken care of finally.

Hello all. Just thought I'd check in. I'm doing great. Just 23 lbs from goal. I don't recognize myself in pictures anymore. :-) If anything, I probably need a fill. I think I've lost a lot of internal fat as well. I'm trying to wait to go back to see Drs. Ortiz and Martinez until I'm at goal. Then I'll get myself a maintenance fill and start learning a new normal. --Mike

Okay, now, no more chili sauce until you're better okay? :omg: The important thing is to keep eating like you have restriction. Don't let your mind think it's a free-for-all while you're unfilled. The band itself will still provide some restriction. Pay attention for the first sign of fullness, and then stop. I assume your Doc has you on a liquid diet for a while, right? Also, and I know it's a pain, but keep a running tally of your calories right now. Set a number that's good for you, and don't exceed it. If you don't know how many calories are in something, just pass on it. Sorry if this sounds preachy. I'm just letting you know what's working for me. I'm going to back to see my Doc in 2 weeks. If he says I'm ready for a fill then, great. If not, I'll defer to his good judgment and wait a while longer. I can't tell you how nice it's been to sleep normally -- torso not elevated, no coughing, gagging, etc. I have slept on my side for most of my life, and having to sleep propped up has been a real pain in the... back(?). How are things for you today? How'd last night go? --Mike

Green, That's good to hear. I have my fingers crossed for you. --Mike

Yeah, I am a pretty private person usually, but what Dr. Acosta said got me thinking that I should tell the group what I had learned. I realize it won't help everyone, but the majority suffering from reflux probably don't have to. --Mike

Excellent. I hope it helps. Please come back and tell us how it goes. --Mike

Don't want to cross-post, but I thought this might be of interest to readers of this thread. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f78/major-reflux-no-restriction-very-little-recent-weight-loss-stretched-pouch-39137/

Welcome and good luck Rick! Let the journey begin...

Hey Guys, Just thought I'd post and say hello. I've been lurking on this board for months. I'm so glad there's a guy-specific thread here. Not that gals aren't great, but hey, there's that whole Mars-Venus thing. Oh yeah, and how 'bout my Padres...