Curlycat3

Hi, I've had a hard time eating solid foods although I'm almost 11 months post-op. I have discomfort with most solids. I think that I'm doing pretty well at portions (well actually under-eating and living on shakes), eating slowly, taking small bites, chewing well etc., but I still vomit quite frequently. I hadn't had a fill since Feruary or March and was at 5ccs. I had .25ccs taken out yesterday because it finally dawned on me that I might be a bit too tight (there have been a lot of red herrings along the way) but the doctor really didn't want to do it. I just want to eat small and healthy, lose weight, and not be in discomfort or actually vomiting. Is this possible? I can't seem to get an answer. I'm getting to the point where i don't want to eat at all or I eat junk because at least I know it'll stay down. Anybody have a similar experience, advice, help? I'm hoping the fill reduction works but don't want to wait forever to find out. Thanks, Su:confused:

I can't find my last post but I just wanted to thank everyone for their support. I saw my surgeons yesterday and they took me down another .75ccs to 4ccs. I actually ate dinner with vegetables(over-cooked) last night and had no discomfort or vomiting. It felt like heaven! I lost 4 pounds last week because about all I could keep down were liquids. Now, of course, I'm paranoid because I don't feel restriction, as far as I can tell. I'm so used to being uncomfortable that it may be a bit hard to gage at first. Still, I'll see how I do this week and if it's too loose I guess I'll go back and have them add more next week. I will measure my food and see how my hunger level is and keep track of my caloric intake. Just curious how others have dealt with this issue. I feel free and scared at the same time. Kind of a metaphor for life when things work out well!!!:sneaky:

Definitely give it a go! After 3 days at the lower fill level, I'm starting to feel more confident about eating. I noticed some restriction this morning and a little tonight with vegetables that were not soft enough. I was reassured to know that there is some restriction there and that i can eat small portions and be satisfied. Just sad that i went all this time too tight, miserable and not really losing weight. Oh well, live and learn I guess...

I'm now down to a comfortable fill level after being so tight I couldn't eat without discomfort or vomiting. So far I can eat vegetables, salads rice and other real foods again. It's been so long since I've eaten without problems that it's making me a bit nervous. I seem to be able to eat an appropriate amount in terms of calories. One of the nutritionists at my clinic told me that a lot of people tend to undereat, which is what I think I'm tending towards now. It makes it scary to think that I could eat regular small portions. Yesterday I had a half a small shrimp crepe, some salad and a bit of rice for lunch, I ate the other half for dinner. Does this seem reasonable? I felt satiated and did't want to eat more, but didn't have a tight feeling. It's confusing me. It feels so good but I'm nervous. Is anyone else eating in this way? Do I need to up my fill? Should I "feel" tight but still be able to eat?

Hi, Seems as though we might be struggling with the same issue. I just had my fill reduced and can now eat about half a meal but am a bit freaked at not feeling any restriction. Are you losing weight? It's too soon for me to tell as I only had my band fill reduced a couple of days ago, but I guess that would be a good gage as to how things are going. I also have a long trip for a fill, 10-12 hours by car, ferry and transit, so I'm anxious to find out soon, as my clinic only does fills on Wednesdays. Let me know how you're doing.

Thanks, I've been very fortunate not to have reflux. That must be just awful! I am feeling lucky that I didn't have it all out. Guess I'll just have to trust my body to know what the right amount of restriction feels like.:sneaky:

Anyone banded in, and living in, Victoria or on the island? I'm looking for someone to provide fills and support when my year's after care at a Vancouver clinic is up in a few weeks. I've tried Dr. Amson and Tang's site, but there doesn't seem to be a way to even contact them to ask them if they do this sort of thing. Any advice, help? Many thanks,

I thought I had a pretty good set-up too. There were no clinics where I lived and I would have to have gone to Seattle but ended up going to Vancouver when they opened up a clinic a year ago spring. I was really impressed with everyone and I too have a year's after care. I do have to see the surgeons when I go and it is always very rushed. No one I deal withat the clinic has had the surgery, so I don't have that advantage. Our RN Co-ordinator is really great but she's no longer there to attend the check-ups which is very upsetting. My surgeons are technically excellent, but young, so they don't have the people experience. I guess I'm staring to wish that i'd gone with a clinic in Seattle becasue they've been around for a long time. There's also a clinic in Victoria and I was going to phone them and ask if they'd take me on. I know the surgeons there are experienced and much loved. The use a different band from mine, so I don't know if it'd be compatiable with their program, The other option is seeing if someone in Seattle would take me on. It means travelling but i really need some help. I'm so grateful and so depressed reading everyon's posts. Grateful for the support and depressed because I've only lost 40 pounds in all this time and still have another 100 to go. If anyone is in my area and has any suggestions on where I might go for aftercare, I'd appreciate hearing from them. Thanks so much.

Thanks again Cindy, I think that seems to be the most reasonable request at this time. I'll have to find out how much they filled me last time. Don't know if it's wise to go all the way back to 3ccs. Anyway, I want to feel good and healthy so that's my goal. Thanks!

Thanks for your support! I've made an appointment at my clinic for the next available date, this coming Wednesday and will make my point. I'd like to go down to at least 4ccs. I had a fill of 3ccs at the time of surgery and have been at 5ccs and not losing for 8 months. I haven't acted sooner because I had a lot of stufff going on and I felt it was my fault. I wish I could get an idea of how low to go. I guess I just have to experiment. We no longer have the RN support level I relied on at my clinic so I feel I've lost my voice of reason. Very frustrated. Su

Thanks so much for your reply Cindy, it really helps. Congrats on your success too-you're awesome. I wonder if the hormone thing is what's going on with me? I'm 51. I'm pretty sure stress and anxiety are invoved. I'm making an appointment to go back to the surgeon again next Wednesday,(my ckinic only does follow-ups and fills on Wednesdays and it's a 4-5 hout trip each way) hopefully I can convince them to take out at least .75 ccs. That'd bring me down to 4 from my highest 5. Do you have any recommendations as to how to go about this and what a good fill level is, although i know it's very individual? I know the best I did nd felt was just before I had my first fill. I already had 3ccs from the surgery and was losing wieight. I wonder if I should try that again and build from there as neccesary. I just hope I can get them to do it, but heh, it is my body. Many thanks, Su

Thanks. I'm at 4.75 ccs now. It might be soon to tell but I've been able to keep a little food down today-just. My friend who I was banded with thinks I should stay on liquids for a few days as she thinks my stomach is probably irritated. Probably a good idea, maybe I'll just go for those shakes. At our clinic we they put 3ccs in the band when they do the surgery. I've only had two fills since them which brought me up to 5ccs. I can only go to my clinic on Wednesdays as that's when they do surgery and follow-up. It's also a 4-5 hour trip each way by car, bus and ferry, so it's an undertaking. I will see how it goes but I think I'll go and ask for at least .75ccs to be taken out next Wednesday so that I can heal and get back to eating well. Thanks for telling me your story and for your encouragement. You've done amazingly well-congratulations! I've only lost about 40 pounds in 10 months. Very dicouraging. I hope I'm on the right track with the fills. I was attributing my problem to stress and anxiety which is why it took so long to realize it could be the band, at least in part. I don't know. I'm kind of bummed because somethings going on with our support at the clinic and I can't get totalk to our RN who is great. No one will say what's going on and the surgeons are nice but not very helpful on the emotional side. My aftrcare also ends at the beginning of December and I'm wondering if I should look elsewhere for support and if another clinic will take me on when I haven't had surgery with them. It would be nice to be with someone who has a history and could help with these ups and downs. Anyway, off to drink a shake. Thanks so much!

Thanks, That's the first time I've heard an account like yours. I've managed not to vomit today and to get some real food in but it wasn't comfortable. I was also told that I should be able to eat about a cup of food at each meal. That's not happeneing yet. The soonest I can go back to my clinic is next Wednesday. They only see patients for this type of surgery and follow-up on Wednesdays. I couldn't get the doctor to take out at more than .25ccs. She doesn't think the fill is an issue. I feel like my best bet is to see how I feel by next Wednesday, that should allow any adjustment for swelling. If I'm not feeling significantly better I can go back and get them to take more out. It really helps to hear from someone who's had similar issues. We have a new surgery centre here so they don't have the years of experience to draw on. Anyway, hopefully it'll improve during the next few days. Again, thanks so much for your support. Su

Thanks, I saw my surgeon yesterday and she thought I was fine.

Just wanted to pass along something that's really helped me drink enough water. For one reason and another this has been a tricky area for me. I often forget to drink until it's meal time and then it's too late. I decided to get a camelback water system (the kind cyclists use. I got one at MEC (REI for our American friends) for $33. I't's a small backpack with a water pouch and drinking tube. I've hqaven't even worn it yet, but when I'm sitting on the couch reading or watching tv, I have the tube in my mouth, and am constantly sipping without thinking about it. I plan to strap it on today as I do housework and of course will wear it when I cycle, or walk and hike. It might sound kind of silly, but it's making a huge difference, and I'm now well hydrated and losing weight. Hope this is helpful to someone else!

Hi Michelle, Thanks for the great talk last night. It was so nice to connect and very helpful too! Can you forward those helpful sites you were mentioning, I can't seem to find them. I'll let you know what happens on Wednesday. I hope to meet Lyn for a coffee again as well. By the way, it looks as though her contact info is in your friends section. Thanks again, Keep up the great work! Suzanne

Is there anyone who was banded somewhere other than Victoria, but lives here, who would like to form a support group?

Hi Antonella, My name is Suzanne and I understand that we were banded the same day at FCSC, I've been in contact with Lyn and Michelle, who were just before and just after me, but hadn't connected with any one else from that day. I'd love to hear from you. Suzanne

Hi, I was banded at the beginning of December at False Creek Surgical Centre in Vancouver. I was wondering if there is anyone else in the Victoria area, who was banded somewhere other than Victoria, and as a result, doesn't qualify for any of the support groups here, but might like to get together and form a support group? Please let me know if your interested. Thanks!:wub:

Thanks, I'll definitely check it out. I had contacted their office before I had my surgery but no one got back to me, and I heard that their meetings were exclusive to their own patients, but I'll definitely try again.:scared2:

Victoria, BC Canada Support Group? permalink Hi, I was banded at the beginning of December at False Creek Surgical Centre in Vancouver. I was wondering if there is anyone else in the Victoria area, who was banded somewhere other than Victoria, and as a result, doesn't qualify for any of the support groups here, but might like to get together and form a support group? Please let me know if your interested. Thanks!:wub:

I've been trying to find you in the threads so I could contact you and see how you are. Would love to talk to you both!:smile2:

Hi, I've always liked cottage cheese with canned pears but since having surgery I've really been enjoying those little containers of flavoured applesauce. The ones I get are made by Motts, unsweetened and come in a variety of flavours. I really enjoy stirring the sauce into the cottage cheese and find it very easy to digest-especially post surgery. Best wishes!:smile2: