kattraku

I have had fluid taken out twice when too full. Recently I had to have it all removed. My lapband dr. prefers for it to be empty for an endoscopy. My GI dr was happy about that lol. I was not. Prior to that I was having major issues, 5.5 ccs of fluid was removed. After a couple of days I was able to eat anything, so now I know my band was too tight. I've had 2 cc's put back in and I can still eat anything. Which of course means weight gain, as I've used this as an excuse to eat what I've been "missing". I go back the end of Aug for another fill. I will be more aware of how much is being put back in and know 5.5 is too much. Prior to being empited, I lost 15 lbs in less than 3 weeks. So of course that came back plus 5 more. In a way this was good because it made me realize how much of a tool the band was, and I admit I abused that 5.5 cc's to lose weight in a unhealthy way. Now I have to lose that 20lbs all over again. But will do it the healthy way and utilize my band as the tool it's meant to be vs abuse it and risk health issues. My reason for having to have the Endoscopy in the first place was my ENT was very concerned about the rawness of my esophogus, this of course was due to all the vomiting I was doing when I was too full and couldn't keep anything down. He said what do you think comes up with that food, ACID... you are going to ruin your esophogus and have ulcers. So please think twice about keeping your band too tight for the weight loss. This is not directed at any one person, as I read several posts regarding this. I'm just sharing my experience. And as a nurse, I feel I should. Good Luck everyone, stay healthy and happy weight loss.

Snigglez.... please call your doctor. Mine gave me a good lecture for not calling them sooner. Having pain like that is not normal. And like I said who knows what could be going on inside. I know my band is secured and chances of slipping are very minimal. But anything could have happened. Please call the dr. if you haven't done so..... Kathy

I called my dr. My purpose was to get a bit of fluid taken out but then I mentioned I was having an endoscopy done this month and he said it's better to have the band emptied for the procedure. So now I have an empty band. Amazing how much I can eat now. Then after the endoscopy I have to start over getting it slowly filled again. I only had 5.5 cc in my band but apparently that was too much for me. So we'll see once I start getting fills again. I can eat anything I want now which is scarey. I know I will put weight back on. I gain when I look at food lol. Who really knows what goes on inside our bodies. At least now I have an idea of how much fill is too much. I go back for my first refill July 3rd. Long time to have an empty band lol. But it has taught me how effective it really is and what a great tool. Thank you to everyone for your response and thoughts. Good Luck.

I was thinking that also. Funny I was fine the first 2 weeks after my fill. Then all of a sudden I couldn't eat. I'll call my drs. office Mon. Thanks for your repsonse.

Does anyone have issues with too much phlegm? Sometimes when I try to eat I just can't, then I end up coughing up all kinds of phlegm. And it always feels like food is stuck. I take tiny bites and chew til mush. I had a fill 2 weeks ago, was fine until the last 2 days. In the morning I am able to drink but as soon as I try to eat forget it. I'm 2 years into this band and having more issues now than I ever did. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

My first fill was very different from Iceejoe's. I had to go to radiology where my surgeon met me. I had to lie on a table, he found the port inserted the needle with the syringe of saline. He inserted the saline. Then the table was raised until I was almost standing. He had me drink some barium while we watched on the camera, he slowly withdrew saline until the barium flowed through. LOL he didn't disclose how much, he said I need to see if it's enough by how I feel. So far so good. My fill was on Thurs the 5th and its now Sat. the 7th lol. Oh and yes I was really hungry the week before the fill. Good luck and let us know how it was for you. Kathy.

Almica... everyone is right, all surgeons are different. I had a very specific low cal, carb, fat diet. It was all spelled out for me. I wish you all the luck. It will all be worth it in the end.

I go for my first fill Aug 5th. I'm a little nervous. Just started with the hunger a bit over past week. But it's controllable. I was banded June 25th. My dr. won't fill until 6 weeks. Weight loss has stopped/slowed. Some on here say it happended to them also and once they had first fill the weight started dropping off. Crossing my fingers. Good Luck on your journey.

I only had to do liquids for a week. Then it was pureed. for 2 weeks, now I'm ground/chopped. Yes it is funny how different surgeons and/or dietitians formulate the post op eating.

Our banding dates are close. I get my first fill Aug. 5th. I just started having some hunger about 2 days ago. Do you still do protein shakes? They fill me up a lot. I still have to do 2 a day. As I talk to people on here I'm finding that some places have different ways of doing the diets etc. The surgeon I used is very good. Everytime I see him I also have to see the dietitian. We go over what I've eaten and what the next phase will be. I stayed the same the for 2 weeks after losing a lot. I'm not sure how much I've lost since the banding. But as of my last appt. I had lost 24 lbs. Since I first saw the dr for a consult on April 8th. And I believe most of that came from the pre op diet and the band. I may have lost a few on my own. I had to show my insurance company I was dedicated and willing to lose. LOL after all that what I'm trying to say is, I think our bodies are telling us ok, I need a break. Plus I'm older also so I figure I will lose slower than most. Stick to it and gl. Would love to hear from you again.:bolt:

I also had feelings of guilt. Mine was more the pressure on my husband financially as I knew I would be out of work for several weeks. I also had a huge hiatal hernia that had to be repaired. I have filed for disability but that takes forever to kick in. And I have no clue how much the insurance was going to cover. No one ever said anything and I didn't ask. I may have backed out if it's bad. I also felt I had to justify myself to everyone. I had to tell work. I was only going to mention the hernia repair but I knew once I went back they would see how I was eating and wonder and comment. It was just easier to tell them. I was borderline on the BMI scale. Everyone kept saying why are you doing this you aren't that heavy. I have moderate sleep apnea and I have to drug myself up to use the cpap machine. It leaves me feeling terrible in the morning. That was and still is my motivation in losing. I knew I wouldn't keep it off if I did it on my own. I've been a yo-yo dieter for years. My pulmonologist will send me for another sleep study when I reach 150 lbs. So that is my goal. See I basically just justified why I did it again lol. But go for it, everyone does it for their own reasons. And people should not be so judgemental. Do it for you and believe me it's not an easy way out like people think. I was banded on June 25th. This has been the hardest thing I've ever done. A lot of mental not just the eating part. The band is a tool, not an easy answer. Good Luck with your banding. Sorry this is so long. I guess I needed to vent a little also lol...... Kathy:thumbup:

It's good to hear I'm not the only one having that prob. My dr told me it was normal but. I was doing the benefiber and colace. It wasn't working. The Milk of Mag has worked the best. I did go on my own a bit yesterday But I don't think enough. We'll see what today brings lol. I will try the chat again. I went the other night but it was very late.

I was banded June 25th. Would love to chat with anyone that is close to that date. Actually would love to chat with anyone. But it would be nice to talk to someone going through the beginning stages. My biggest struggle has been with my bowels. The eating has been ok. One of the hardest things I've ever done even though I'm not hungry. But it's all a positive thing. Anyone interested give a yell. Kathy:smile2: