icuwalsh

I had my fourth fill on Tuesday, May 15th. Water went down fine. I had (or tried) to drink a Protein shake that night and could only get down a few sips. Wed morning I had to fly out of town and tried drinking another shake, once again only a few sips. Here it is Wed Night and I am absolutley miserable and out of town. I tried drinking another shake - got down more of it - but it came up and now I can't even drink water. So, here i am in the middle of the night and can't sleep. Waiting for morning so I can change my flight and get home to see the doctor. This really sucks. I'm sure the fact that I threw up has really aggravated my stomach, but I can't wait for it to relax. I haven't done well with fills. My second fill I was to full - but we knew while I was still there. They took some out (probably to much) and I didn't have enough restriction. The last fill was better, - but probably not the "Sweet" spot. I am only at 2cc's too. So keep in mind - everyone is different and reacts to fills differently.

First - let me give you a history of my fills. My first fill was fine. My second fill was to tight but I knew it while I was there. (I threw up the water) They had tried to fill me to 2cc. They ended up leaving me at 1.3. My next fill - I had lost some saline - was down to .8 - anyway they put me up to 1.5. This was pretty tight at first but was evenutally bearable. I threw up several times that first week but it eventually subsided. - fast forward to my next fill. This time they tried to put me up to 2cc. I thought I was fine while I was there, however, it was way to tight - couldn't even drink Water over the next couple of days. Had to make an emergency trip home to get it unfilled. Instant relief. I had lost 6 lbs in 2 days. He put me down to 1cc and I had absolulutely no restriction. Went on an eating binge (enjoyed every minute of it) and gained 9lbs in 3 weeks. Now - here I am again - 4 days after another fill. Am currently at 1.6 cc. I am tight, but nothing as bad as my last one. Can barely get down Soup or yogurt. The thought of any solid food is making me sick. I was fine for the first couple of days (drinking liquids and eating mushies) - then could feel the restriction kicking in. Now I can barely get down soup, slim fast or yogurt. I have many questions. Why do I have such a hard time with fills. Does a to tight fill eventually not be to tight because you lose weight? Do I have these problems cause my stomach swells? (they always seem to have to poke around on me to find my port). Is this what the band is suppose to do and I'm just a wimp? Please help me understand......................

I am at a crossroads. My band is tight, probably to tight. But I am out of town and am having a hard time finding a doctor that will see me. I called the ER, and they didn't have a clue. Will an extremely tight fill evenutally pass.....?

As the day went on, it got worse. I found a doctor in Atlanta and will go there to have some removed. I hate this because this is the 2nd time I have had to have an unfill. I'm at the point now where I can't drink Water. I called my doctor in Houston and will go have the bariatric swallow and exray to see if I have slippage. I can't schedule that till the week of July 4th. Thanks again everyone.

I too am waiting to see if you find that medicine. In the meantime - i am trying to find a doctor in atlanta that will see me to remove some of the fill. Thanks for all the input and support.

I thought I was the only obsessed with Starbucks. I travel every week and it is definately my daily routine. (Have withdraws if I can't have my Starbucks). My obsession, Venti - sugar free vanilla nonfat latte. Its my Breakfast. At least I am on a daily per-diem and can afford it without blinking an eye. LOL See ya at Starbucks

Good news Got to the doctor. Boy what a relief. Instant relief. He took out 1cc from 2cc's. I lost 6lbs in 2 days. he said i was really dehydrated. Thanks for the support - I needed it.

I got to the doctor on Thursday. Instant releif...... Lost 6lbs in 2 days. Whew - that was miserable.

Karik where did you go to get your unfill. I use Dr. Spiegel as well and am having major problems. I need an unfill immediately. He is only in the office Tues and Thurs - so wondering where to go in the meantime. I am in Atlanta right now and will have to make an emergency trip home to do this.

I wish I had an answer, as I too have the same problem. However, my problem still exists post band. Every day is still a struggle. I was banded December 19th and have only lost 20lbs. I know I have lost inches and have gone down 1 - 2 sizes in clothes. I have had 3 fills, with only the last one actually doing something for me. I too was self pay. Since my last fill, I can't eat chicken. However, everything else seems to be OK. I find that I can eat and eat and eat. I will eat, get home and still eat some more. As I'm putting food in my mouth I have to tell myself that I'm not hungry. (Which, I'm not). But I just can't seem to control the eating. I crave sweets and they go down real easy. I didn't get to see a "therapist" or a nutritionist prior to getting banded, but am looking for one now as I am realizing this is going deeper than just the band. I am going to schedule another fill as well. I hate the feeling I get when I eat chicken (3 bites) and the pain sets in, however it seems to be the only way for me to prevent myself from eating. I have joined a gym and work out 2-3 times a week as well. I am not ready to admit defeat and will continue to find the solution to my problem. I do not regret getting banded, as it is a tool, I just am a little slower than most people in figuring out how to use it. I WILL NOT LET THIS GET THE BEST OF ME........ Thanks :faint:

Hi all I have had my 3rd fill for 2 weeks. I have "thrown up" 6 times. What is weird - i think this is really my first fill that has given me any restriction. I really don't think I'm to "full". I think the problem lies with my first 2 not giving me any restriction and have been able to eat anything and ate to much. So here I am with my 3rd fill (only 1.4cc) and having problems. some meals are very painfull and have a hard time staying down. If I take my time and eat small bites and chew my food - it doesn't give me any problems. Some of the problem food seems to be with chicken. I did eat "beef" 2 times and didn't have any problem. Usually, yogurt is no problem, but every now and then it does hurt a little. When I think about it, I think I ate the yogurt to fast. My question is - am i just really trying to get use to this and this is the way it is suppose to be, or am I overfilled. I'm afraid to get some removed as it will just be like it was before this fill and i will eat to much. I have only lost about 17 lbs since December 19th so this is really slow for me. :hungry: :help: :confused: I am getting frustrated with this. Please help me.

Thanks for all input. It makes me feel better to know that I am just acquanting myself with the band than having problems. The last 2 days have been much better. I have also learned I can't "gulp" slimfast either. That didn't sit to well. I guess I never realized how fast I eat until now.

Hi all I have had my 3rd fill for 2 weeks. I have "thrown up" 6 times. What is weird - i think this is really my first fill that has given me any restriction. I really don't think I'm to "full". I think the problem lies with my first 2 not giving me any restriction and have been able to eat anything and ate to much. So here I am with my 3rd fill (only 1.4cc) and having problems. some meals are very painfull and have a hard time staying down. If I take my time and eat small bites and chew my food - it doesn't give me any problems. Some of the problem food seems to be with chicken. I did eat "beef" 2 times and didn't have any problem. Usually, yogurt is no problem, but every now and then it does hurt a little. When I think about it, I think I ate the yogurt to fast. My question is - am i just really trying to get use to this and this is the way it is suppose to be, or am I overfilled. I'm afraid to get some removed as it will just be like it was before this fill and i will eat to much. I have only lost about 17 lbs since December 19th so this is really slow for me. :hungry: :help: I am getting frustrated with this. Please help me.

For the people having problems sleeping on their side. I too love to sleep on my side. After I finally put several pillows under my head and raised it higher than my side - i found this very comfortable. Its Xmas eve and i'm feeling very sorry for myself. Lots of food and goodies around and I'm starving. I have had liquids for almost a week. Could really, really use something of substance. Thinking about having a creamy Soup 2 days early. Any suggestions. :help:

Mine said no carbonated drinks before or after. They tend to Stretch the stomach. But he said coffee is ok.

Hi all. Just wanted to let you know how impressed I was with Dr. Spiegal and the New University General Hospital. The hospital only opened 2 months ago so everything is new. They gave me a private room to recoup even though i was going home the same day. Plasma TV in all the rooms. I expected the pain to be much worse - and I can honestly say - it is just a little discomfort. They put a motion sickness patch behind my ear and I haven't had any nausia. Been moving around pretty easy too. I haven't felt much pain with the gas either. So far so good.:clap2:

I am having my surgery tomorrow and got all my post op information. It says to avoid ANY Protein powder mixes - only to use pre-mixed drinks such as slim fast. He says these protein powders may cause blockage on the lap band. I know many of you are using the powders including carnation instant Breakfast. I'm confused. Any insight.

Hi all. I am getting banded December 19th. Excited and nervous. Anyway, I have a couple of question about the post-op prior to going home. I have read some things about a swallowing test. What is that? Also, something about a bladder test. Can anyone tell me about the different tests that happen after the surgery? :help:

I'm getting close to my surgery date as well. December 19th. Anxious and nervous at the same time. What is the swallowing test people are talking about? Any other things after surgery before being released? Thanks so much.

I'm getting banded on December 19th. I have a question about chewing food. Everyone says you have to chew, chew, chew. What exactly does that mean. Chew 30 times - or what. Dr. Spiegal :hungry:

i'm being banded in December. My doctor only told me to do a liquid diet 24 hours before surgery. He didn't mention anything about Opti-fast. I'm just curious why some doctors do that and some don't December 19 - Dr. Spiegel

I am December 19th myself. Ready for a new year and a new me. Good luck all

Does anyone have any helpfull hints to avoid slippage or erosion? "]link=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

I'm looking at getting the band in December. What is the pre-op diet? I know each doctor is different so everyone's will be different. I haven't recieved this information from my doctor yet. BTW - Dr. Spiegel - Houston Texas. Thanks for the info. :hungry:

1st or 2nd week. I have to check my work schedule.