First fill down...but getting frustrated already...

[pamg9679 0]

Ok. Where to start? I had my surgery on November 11th. I had my first fill this past Monday, December 14th. I was a little nervous but it went fine. I had some difficulty in getting the Water down but decided that it was not the band, it was just me gulping the water instead of taking it slow.

That night, I couldn't get even broth down without hurting. By the next morning, I was still having pain when I tried to drink water or broth. I was able to get hot tea down, but after a couple of drinks, I would start hurting.

The pain I feel is mostly air, I am convinced. I feel fine for the most part, but sometimes when I swallow I start hurting almost immediately. I can go to the restroom and make myself gag (sorry) and get the burp up. Nothing else comes up because once I get the air up, I feel so much better.

It has been 3 days now and I am getting frustrated. I basically stop eating because after three or four bites, I have to go to the restroom and get the air out. Does this happen to anyone else? I have been searching the net but I haven't been able to find a similar problem.

I did call the doctor's office and the nurse (who has had lap band) said that I should give it to Friday and if I am not keeping food/water down by then, I should come in to the office. Well even by Tuesday afternoon, I can keep food down, but this air problem is beginning to get to me.

I have been eating tums hoping it would help, it doesn't. But at least I can get my Calcium through them. That's better than those other chewable calcium tablets.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

Pam

Edited December 17, 2009 by pamg9679

[untfluter 3]

Your surgeon did your first fill FOUR days (including surgery day) after your surgery?? WOW!! that to me doesn't sound like a good thing.. I mean your stomach is still swollen that close to your surgery date... how does a surgeon do that?? I didn't get my first fill until 3 wks after my surgery and that was only because he was not going to be in the office 4 wks after my surgery...I have never heard of a fill that close to your surgery date.. that could be one of the reasons you are having so much trouble.. you were already swollen and then he added MORE restriction to your stomach....

Ok. Where to start? I had my surgery on November 11th. I had my first fill this past Monday, November 14th. I was a little nervous but it went fine. I had some difficulty in getting the Water down but decided that it was not the band, it was just me gulping the Water instead of taking it slow.

That night, I couldn't get even broth down without hurting. By the next morning, I was still having pain when I tried to drink water or broth. I was able to get hot tea down, but after a couple of drinks, I would start hurting.

The pain I feel is mostly air, I am convinced. I feel fine for the most part, but sometimes when I swallow I start hurting almost immediately. I can go to the restroom and make myself gag (sorry) and get the burp up. Nothing else comes up because once I get the air up, I feel so much better.

It has been 3 days now and I am getting frustrated. I basically stop eating because after three or four bites, I have to go to the restroom and get the air out. Does this happen to anyone else? I have been searching the net but I haven't been able to find a similar problem.

I did call the doctor's office and the nurse (who has had LAP-BAND®) said that I should give it to Friday and if I am not keeping food/water down by then, I should come in to the office. Well even by Tuesday afternoon, I can keep food down, but this air problem is beginning to get to me.

I have been eating tums hoping it would help, it doesn't. But at least I can get my Calcium through them. That's better than those other chewable calcium tablets.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

Pam

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

Okay. 1st fill one month post-op. Totally typical. What you don't tell us is how much fill you got/how much is in your band. I say you are too tight. A slight unfill (like, say, .2cc) can make all the difference in the world! My first fill, I was too tight and had a bit of an unfill. My last fill was too tight and I thought it would get better so I didn't say anything BUT IT DIDN'T. I got a .2cc unfill and I've been at my sweet spot and comfortable ever since.

Do not be afraid to ask for a small unfill. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. "Wait until Friday" could be okay or it may make no difference whatsoever. But Friday is tomorrow, so call and tell them you need to come in!!!!!

[btrieger 21]

Your surgeon did your first fill FOUR days (including surgery day) after your surgery??

Her second November should have been a December. Making it 5 weeks after surgery.

[untfluter 3]

That makes more sense... LOL I couldn't imagine a surgeon doing a fill 4 days after the surgery.. LOL

Her second November should have been a December. Making it 5 weeks after surgery.

[pamg9679 0]

Thanks for the info. I have been thinking that I might be too tight but just wasn't sure. It has gotten somewhat better since Monday, but still....

One thing the nurse asked me on Tuesday was could I hear a gurgling noise after I drink the liquids. Up until lunch today, I would have said no, but after I had lunch (if you could call it that), I did hear a gurgling noise.

This whole process is really more than I expected. I am so glad that I had it done, but still surprised at the little things that are different. It has taken me some time to understand what full feels like now. And I am still shocked at how little I am consuming. At this point, I can't hardly imagine eating just anything I want. I had some potato at lunch today (being 4 days after fill) and it tasted really good but only ate about 6 bites. Of course, I still think most of that is me being a bit nervous about having air in my esophogus (sp?).

I am guess that the air problem will go away, or maybe shouldn't even be happening at all? The doc put in 3cc in my 14cc band. The nurse had told me that he didn't mess around with the procedure so I thought it was a good thing that he was somewhat agressive about it. Now I am just hoping I am not whining and being a weenie about it all.

[comedygirl24 0]

Thanks for the info and sharing your story with us, don't give up!