Keona1323

I should also mention I am an 8 year veteran who has lost well over 100lbs (and cannot afford to gain one more!!!).

I had to have a complete unfill Tuesday morning after a suspected slip. Aborted barium swallow on Monday. Had CT today and will know results Monday. Since the unfill, I have had episodes of extreme gas pain/pressure around my rib cage and under my chest that periodically comes and goes. And as of today, my stomach is distended and quite bloated and uncomfortable. What gives???? I'm really hoping my band is ok and no damage has been done so I can get back to normal......

I had my unfill on Tuesday and my CT today. I should know results Monday and can get on track with whatever needs to be done. It sucks being hungry. And the bloated, distended stomach hurts and the gas pain..... What gives?

I went for an upper GI barium swallow this am as I have been having trouble with my band the past month and having almost everything come back up and feeling unusually tight. The upper GI was aborted after the first swallow as there appeared to be near complete obstruction and on the report the radiologist recommended urgent referral to a barbaric surgeon. I live two airplane rides away from my original surgeon, so he had set me up with a general surgeon who worked under him to do my adjustments. I see him first thing tomorrow morning to have fluid taken out. How much, I don't know yet (already freaking out about that and the possible weight gain and how long until I can get the fluid back in). I am also waiting on an emergency CT scan to check for band placement, position and possible slippage. My general doctor is putting this in place, so I am just waiting on that. For those who have had this happen before..... How much fluid comes out? Does it resolve on its own? How long until fluid can go back in? I need some reassuring answers please. I have been banded since 2008. Always been on the tighter side of restriction. Had some fluid taken out last fall and things were good. But a month ago, it got so tight that I can barely get liquids down some moments. But then in that same day, I can manage some food. Not without a lot of it coming back up though. Which leads my original surgeons office to believe there is a slip.

I'm going through this right now. I was having trouble keeping anything solid down and then it went to liquids. Saw my GP and on the recommendation of my surgeon, went for a barium swallow. Monday was the test and it was aborted after the first swallow as my band was at a near complete obstruction. Tuesday I saw my local-ish doctor that does the adjustments for me (set up by my surgeon) and we had to do a complete unfill. I am just waiting for he hospital to call with my appt for a CT scan to check the position of the band and see if a slip has occurred. If no slip, we wait two weeks and slowly start filling again. If not, I will be off to see my surgeon. Since I the fluid has been out, I have stuck with liquids and soft mushy foods. Not one thing has come back up much to my relief. But I do still feel some pressure in my chest and discomfort. So we will see. Good luck with your situation and you must get in to see a doctor. If you can't keep liquids down, you will become dehydrated and you don't want to wind up on IV fluids.

I have been banded for 7 years and in this whole time, breakfast is a no go. Best I can manage is a smoothie mid morning - usually after 10am. I am soooooo bored of smoothies!!!!! I would love to eat an egg, or some bacon, anything really, but any attempt means it comes back up shortly after. Sometimes I can manage a couple crackers with some soft cheese or a couple bites of a granola bar, but not a good protein source. Even yogurt is a no go. Any suggestions??? My band is good. I was formerly way too restricted and now that I am a bit more open, I am able to manage better options for lunch and dinner without things backing up or coming up, but mornings are bad. Even juice is tiny little sips over about an hour or more......

This February I will have been banded for 7 years. It's has been a journey... Ups, downs and inbetweens! I have lost weight (over 100lbs) and managed to keep it off. I have also experienced many stalls in weight loss. For over a year, I was too tight. I realized it, but was too scared to loosen it as I didn't want to risk gaining any weight. (I was also on almost complete exercise restriction due to a herniated disk which is now fixed and I am almost back to a normal exercise regime). I would throw up almost every day, almost every meal (morning were especially bad and sometimes struggled to get medications down). Finally, the acid reflux got so unbearable, that I simply had to get an unfill. I have a 10cc band and my (and my doctors) records indicated that I was sitting at 5.8cc (I was previously at 5.8, went to 6.0, and back to 5.8). When the doctor pulled all the fluid out, we were both surprised to see that 6.2cc came out (not quite sure how that happened)!!!!! But no wonder I felt so tight!!! We removed 0.6cc and I am at 5.6cc (I hope...lol). Once removed, I was immediately better. It's been an month and a half, and I have had no bouts of acid reflux and the only time I have had anything come back up is if I take too big a bite and don't chew properly. What's the problem you ask???? I've gained 10lbs with my new found 'freedom'. I am able to eat bigger portions (it seems without even realizing it at first - just so happy not to be throwing up and eating more 'normal') and I am not feeling full as long between meals as before. I am not sure what to do. I am soooo paranoid about even getting the smallest of fills and having the acid reflux and throw up come back. Does the elusive 'sweet spot' really exist where one can have it all.... Restriction without any of the nastiness...... Any advice, suggestions, help from you 'lifers' out there would be greatly appreciated!!!! I can't let all this hard work go to waste. P.S. My surgeon was doing my fills/unfills, but due to the fact that I live far away from him and travel is complicated, he had set me up with a more local doctor who does my fills for me.

I used to be at 6.0 (in a 10cc band). I had some removed in November as I was uber tight for a long time and PB-ing nearly every meal and not keeping meds down (leading to inflamed esophagus). When I went for unfill, there was actually 6.2cc in there (no wonder I was so tight). We removed 0.6 setting me at 5.6cc. I am now too loose. I am not getting that feel of satiety so my portions are getting bigger and bigger and I am feeling hungry faster between meals. I have gained 10lbs. That being said, I still PB some days... Not sure what triggers, just feeling tight, maybe stress, maybe allergy sinus drainage, etc. I have an appt booked for a refill. 6.0 was a little in the tight side. So 5.8 would be what we are aiming for. Is 0.2cc fill really make a difference??? Or do I just need to make a better attempt to smarten up? I really rely on my band.....

Can I ask how much was put in for you fill? Where were you at previously? Thanks

I have lived with a very tight band for way too long. Pb'ing became a way of life for me. When it got to the point that I couldn't get my much needed medications down or they got stuck in my esophagus and hot inflamed, I finally realized enough was enough. I went in for a slight unfill and had 0.6cc taken out. It was the greatest feeling ever! But..... I have gained 12lbs and am able to eat more food and am also not feeling as full between my meals. So the jig is up and I will be making an appointment to have a little out back in. A compromise with my band. And I will see how that works. I still can pb at this point but only if I take too big a bite or not chew enough.

Hi all, I am a long term bandster and am wondering what books you recommend on living with the band?? I know there are a lot of books on the actual surgery, etc. but I am looking for something more along the lines of actually living with it, nutrition, exercise. I find these are good to read from time to time for inspiration and constant reminders...... Thanks! The one I read when I had my surgery was by Kaliyah Ali called fighting weight. It was a great read.

I also posted this on the veterans page....... This February I will have been banded for 7 years. It's has been a journey... Ups, downs and inbetweens! I have lost weight (over 100lbs) and managed to keep it off. I have also experienced many stalls in weight loss. For over a year, I was too tight. I realized it, but was too scared to loosen it as I didn't want to risk gaining any weight. (I was also on almost complete exercise restriction due to a herniated disk which is now fixed and I am almost back to a normal exercise regime). I would throw up almost every day, almost every meal (morning were especially bad and sometimes struggled to get medications down). Finally, the acid reflux got so unbearable, that I simply had to get an unfill. I have a 10cc band and my (and my doctors) records indicated that I was sitting at 5.8cc (I was previously at 5.8, went to 6.0, and back to 5.8). When the doctor pulled all the Fluid out, we were both surprised to see that 6.2cc came out (not quite sure how that happened)!!!!! But no wonder I felt so tight!!! We removed 0.6cc and I am at 5.6cc (I hope...lol). Once removed, I was immediately better. It's been an month and a half, and I have had no bouts of acid reflux and the only time I have had anything come back up is if I take too big a bite and don't chew properly. What's the problem you ask???? I've gained 10lbs with my new found 'freedom'. I am able to eat bigger portions (it seems without even realizing it at first - just so happy not to be throwing up and eating more 'normal') and I am not feeling full as long between meals as before. I am not sure what to do. I am soooo paranoid about even getting the smallest of fills and having the acid reflux and throw up come back. Does the elusive 'sweet spot' really exist where one can have it all.... Restriction without any of the nastiness...... Any advice, suggestions, help from you 'lifers' out there would be greatly appreciated!!!! I can't let all this hard work go to waste. P.S. My surgeon was doing my fills/unfills, but due to the fact that I live far away from him and travel is complicated, he had set me up with a more local doctor who does my fills for me.

Should I be trying the pouch test first then? Or booking an appt for a very small fill? Just not sure what to do.

Hi all, I am in Canada and allergic to wheat. For those of you In The same boat..... What do you use for protein shakes/drinks? Also, what's a good premade drink? For days I have to work, I have trouble getting a smoothie done early in the morning so being able to take a drink with me would be a good option.

Can I ask how much was removed to gain comfort??? I am going in for a slight unfill Monday as I have been very tight for a very long time, and I can't do it anymore.

I have been checked in the past for band slippage when I felt tight and everything was fine. We unfilled and then found our way back to where I am now. So I am not really concerned that that is the issue. I think once a little bit of fluid comes out, it will be fine. Just not too much! lol

Hi All.... I have been banded since 2008 and have lost over 100lbs. My weight has remained the same for a little over a year now. In march of 2013, my bad was at 5.8cc and I was having issues with severe heartburn, and food coming back up frequently. I went for testing for hernias and such and all was good. My doctor removed 1cc. By September, we decided to drain the band and start from scratch. 5cc was added. End of sept another 0.6 (5.6). End of October back to 5.8 and was still feeling like I was not at my sweet spot despite being back at 5.8. So went to 6. Tooooo tight!!!!! So back to 5.6. At 5.6 my weight has maintained (not gaining). I can't eat anything in the morning - can barely get my meds down let alone a protein drink, etc. I eat a small granola bar around 10/11 and takes me about an hour to eat. Lunch usually around 1-2pm. Depending on how the day is, it either goes down or it doesn't - which means it every bite instantly comes right back up. Now here is the interesting part..... Dinner time I can eat just about anything and a larger portion than I feel the band should be allowing me based in restriction earlier in the day...... By 9pm I am super tight again (if I don't have my meds down before then, I am up all night bring up water and thick goo all night long. And don't even get me started on the burping!!!! I try and get 8 glasses of water in but find I can't even begin to try until late afternoon...... So for those of you who have been banded a while, what's normal, what should I be concerned about? Am I too tight??? It seems that when I try to unfill even the smallest amount, I just eat more..... Any advice or suggestions would be helpful.

That's the earliest I can get in. If I see my surgeon, it's a big ordeal of two days travel, etc. so he set me up with a general surgeon who worked with him and he's in the next town over (only an hour away) for fills/unfills. And that's his earliest appt. so I will be patient. It's been like this for so long, I am rather used to it. But I am looking forward to not sliming every single thing......

Thanks. I am going to go In for a very small unfill nov 24. I've been so tight for so long that sliming at every meal has become the norm.. Which I know is not good. So it's time for a change.

Thanks for the responses. I am going to take said advice (as it confirms what I was thinking) and have a very slight unfill. Perhaps 0.2 or 0.3. I am terrified as I have have been so tight for so long, that a newfound openness will cause weight gain, etc. but I am hoping that by being better able to eat more balanced, that it will be ok...... Appt for nov 24. Thanks again.

Hi All.... I have been banded since 2008 and have lost over 100lbs. My weight has remained the same for a little over a year now. In march of 2013, my bad was at 5.8cc and I was having issues with severe heartburn, and food coming back up frequently. I went for testing for hernias and such and all was good. My doctor removed 1cc. By September, we decided to drain the band and start from scratch. 5cc was added. End of sept another 0.6 (5.6). End of October back to 5.8 and was still feeling like I was not at my sweet spot despite being back at 5.8. So went to 6. Tooooo tight!!!!! So back to 5.6. At 5.6 my weight has maintained (not gaining). I can't eat anything in the morning - can barely get my meds down let alone a protein drink, etc. I eat a small granola bar around 10/11 and takes me about an hour to eat. Lunch usually around 1-2pm. Depending on how the day is, it either goes down or it doesn't - which means it every bite instantly comes right back up. Now here is the interesting part..... Dinner time I can eat just about anything and a larger portion than I feel the band should be allowing me based in restriction earlier in the day...... By 9pm I am super tight again (if I don't have my meds down before then, I am up all night bring up water and thick goo all night long. And don't even get me started on the burping!!!! So for those of you who have been banded a while, what's normal, what should I be concerned about? Am I too tight??? It seems that when I try to unfill even the smallest amount, I just eat more..... Any advice or suggestions would be helpful.