dragonflyblue

5 days is too long to go without food or water! Did something trigger the tightness at some point 5 days ago? It could have caused some inflammation that is closing off your stoma and an unfill (even .5-1cc) would help, as would anti-inflammatory medication after that, to get it under control. I went through this 6 months ago and thought I'd have to have surgery it felt so bad. My trigger was filet mignon and brocolli, even though it was chewed thoroughly, after 3 bites I was in pain, threw up 20 minutes later, but the inflammation continued through the next day until I had 1.5cc removed. If you can't get your surgeon's office to help you, you need to go to the ER for fluids (IV) until you can get an unfill. GOOD LUCK!

I wanted to put my 2 cents worth in on this topic because I have been there, and YES, hormones, stress and "inflammation" do affect the tightness (or not) of the band. I learned this a very hard way 6 months ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 6 months banded and very successful in my weight loss journey before the "derailment diagnosis" and subsequent surgeries and radiation. A few days after my second surgery my husband and I were having dinner -- very tender filet mignon, brocolli florettes and baked potatoes (potatoes were for him). After 2 bites of the filet and one of the brocolli I felt the pain start -- never had experienced a PB before that, but had read about it here. 20 minutes later the food came back up and I thought I'd feel better, but the pressure and pain never went away. I tried some hot tea about an hour later. Nope. I went to bed thinking I needed to rest, not think about it and start over in the morning. I brushed my teeth in the morning and swallowed a sip of Water and thought "uh oh, this may be worse than I thought" but decided to take my morning medication - a small capsule. It came right back up. I called the surgeon's office and learned he was in surgery but if I came into the clinic where he would be in the afternoon they could see me. I did not have even a sip of water in me for more than 20 hours by the time I was seen. I was dehydrated and not feeling very well. About 1 cc was removed from my band and I drank a cup of water which felt good, finally! So the doctor told me that after my surgery I was experiencing an inflammatory response (normal after any kind of surgery) but it had also affected my stoma/band. Inflammation in the body anywhere (like in the joints, or an injured muscle) can affect another area where there is some "compromise" like with a LapBand. Because of my cancer and upcoming radiation treatment he told me I needed to concentrate on nutrition and adding calories to help fight the disease, which I did. I maintained my weight during the next 4 months -- didn't lose anything, but didn't gain either. I got a .3cc fill after the 2nd month and another .5 the 3rd month and didn't experience any problems. However, the tightness and feeling of too much restriction started about 6 weeks ago, and about the same time I injured my back. My primary care physicion put me on an anti-inflammatary, temporarily, and the result was that I could also eat without PBs or pain, but I also gained a couple pounds! I saw my surgeon this past week and he added 1cc and encouraged me to continue with the anti-inflammatory medication for a while longer and I think it's a cure! And I have lost the extra pounds I had gained! So in answer to the question of whether or not there is anything you can take to relieve the yo-yo tightness/looseness, I think an anti-inflammatory is something to ask your doctor about. Aleve, Ibuprofin, and other OTC brands might be enough. I take the generic form of Voltaren which is working for me, but everyone is different.

I've been reading this LapBandTalk for months and get lots of information and encouragement, but I have never posted before. I was banded 11/28/07 and have lost 64 pounds so far and am happy with my progress. All that is great. But yesterday I learned I have breast cancer and will have surgery (lumpectomy most likely) on Monday. I am not sure how all this is related, if it is at all, and if my post-surgery radiation and medication will affect my weight loss progress. Anyone out there have to face a similar situation?

AZChick: what was the finding with your lumpectomy? No radiation or medication after sounds good...I wonder what the difference is when someone has it, or doesn't have it after a lumpectomy? I am told I am very early stage and the "best" kind to get -- if there is a "best kind of cancer" to get.

Wnt2lose: That's GREAT news for you. My radiologist told me that 85% (or more) of the calcifications he biopsies are benign -- nothing at all. I just happen to be in the 15% or less where it was malignant. I am finding great support and good thoughts everywhere and am really glad I found this web site! (but Monday sure feels a long way off at this point).

wnt2lose: did you have your biopsy? how are you doing? I just came across this thread because I was searching the forum for information/experiences with breast cancer and LapBand...I was told yesterday my biopsy showed ductal carcinoma and I will have surgery on Monday. Then radiation, and medication for 5 years. Not sure how my weight loss will be affected and how all fits together. I just wanted to know how you were doing since you posted in March and it is now June.

I am so thankful that I had the Lap Band and lost the weight -- the mammogram was SO much easier, and maybe the weight loss allowed the reading to be more clear. 8 months ago it showed a small area of calcification that the doctor was 99% sure it was vascular and not in the tissue. This week the films showed the same calcification as clearly not vascular because there was less tissue to get through. Had I had a biopsy in Sept I wouldn't have been allowed to have the Lap Band surgery. I was told that it is still very early and I have excellent chances of it being contained and removed on Monday. Thanks for your good thoughts.