tightness issue

[61jojo 0]

HI there-I was banded in mid october, lost 13 lbs so far, I'm good with that! Had one fill in nov and a second one in mid dec. I could eat smaller ammounts of almost anything, if I ate slowly. Now, 2 weeks after the last fill, the food travels down with difficulty and I can feel it go into my stomach with a struggle! Does this sound familiar, and why did this happen only 2 weeks later. I'm due for another 1 cc in early Jan. It doesnt feel right that food I've chewed well should be feeling like it's huge and struggling to get in --first bite, second bite, almost everytime! Any comments would be helpful!

[honk 780]

My doctor says it can take two weeks before the fill has "settled". So you might have more restriction and then is subsides or it hits after a couple weeks. It could be that now that everything has settled you are a little to tight. I would speak to the doctor's office.

[61jojo 0]

WOW, GOOD TO KNOW! Thanks, I'll be seeing the MD 1st week of Jan.

[dar36 5]

HI there-I was banded in mid october, lost 13 lbs so far, I'm good with that! Had one fill in nov and a second one in mid dec. I could eat smaller ammounts of almost anything, if I ate slowly. Now, 2 weeks after the last fill, the food travels down with difficulty and I can feel it go into my stomach with a struggle! Does this sound familiar, and why did this happen only 2 weeks later. I'm due for another 1 cc in early Jan. It doesnt feel right that food I've chewed well should be feeling like it's huge and struggling to get in --first bite, second bite, almost everytime! Any comments would be helpful!

I experience some of the same things. There are some days that everything is difficult to go down and it causes a lot of discomfort. Then there are other days that I do not have as much of an issue. I have had three fills and it is taking me some time to listen to my body and respond accordingly. There are times I cannot eat hardly anything in the morning and then at night I can eat a resonable meal. My goal has been to ensure that I am getting the appropriate amount of Protein. So on the days that I am struggling to keep food down, I will have some Protein drinks. I have also learned that some of my issues are attributed to trying to break 30 years of eating fast and not chewing my food. I have recently switched to using baby utensils and make myself put my fork or spoon down after every bite. Chew , chew, chew! I learned these things the hard way after much discomfort. I am doing much better now finally. When solid food is giving me a problem, I turn to homemade broth with pureed vegetables and very soft lowfat cheeses, refried Beans, and milk. I also try to stay has hydrated as possible by constantly drinking Water.

[goldngrll 9]

here is the quick answer. If solid food is not going down comfortably, you are in the red zone, and need an unfill. Listen, 5% of all bandsters will need re operation for slippage or erosion, and this is totally preventable. Remember that little card you got from your band manufacturer about being in the greenzone??? keep it with you. seriously.

I had a fill that I was wondering about, but kept blaming myself for my discomfort. oh, I must be eating too fast, or not taking a small enough bite....when it gets to be every meal, every bite, yeah, it is not you, it is the fill........when you are too tight, and dont deal with it, you will keep irritating the stomach lining and it will just keep feeling tighter, and really could erode...or you could just stop making the best food choices, and start eating slider foods....

soo 3 weeks after that fill I got a partial unfil...I had irritated my stomach so much, I could hardly get my shakes down. Mind you , I have lost about 100 lbs in 6 months, and generally make pretty good food choices. it was soo painful, I felt like I had been kicked in the gut for 3 days....NOT. GOOD.

so I got 3 cc out for a week, kept losing and had 2 put back in....a week later, had another 1/2 put back in, and I think I'm staying here for a while...can eat small amounts of everything so far, and have not gotten stuck...wooot!!

really, not something to play with though!!

take care of you, and your band!

[goldngrll 9]

HI there-I was banded in mid october, lost 13 lbs so far, I'm good with that! Had one fill in nov and a second one in mid dec. I could eat smaller ammounts of almost anything, if I ate slowly. Now, 2 weeks after the last fill, the food travels down with difficulty and I can feel it go into my stomach with a struggle! Does this sound familiar, and why did this happen only 2 weeks later. I'm due for another 1 cc in early Jan. It doesnt feel right that food I've chewed well should be feeling like it's huge and struggling to get in --first bite, second bite, almost everytime! Any comments would be helpful!

another thing to note, is that there are many things that effect the band....illness, allergies, your cycle, weight loss, even humidity can effect how tight your band is....it is a Fluid thing....stay in touch with your docs, and let them know whats going on....

[61jojo 0]

another thing to note, is that there are many things that effect the band....illness, allergies, your cycle, weight loss, even humidity can effect how tight your band is....it is a Fluid thing....stay in touch with your docs, and let them know whats going on....

I had no idea! I have actually been sick since right about that time--the cold that turned into sinus, that turned into conjunctivitis, blah blah, but I guess the antibiotics and all is affectring my stomach and therefore my band--that's a good explanation. Thanks. I'l call the nurse tomorrow.

[61jojo 0]

I experience some of the same things. There are some days that everything is difficult to go down and it causes a lot of discomfort. Then there are other days that I do not have as much of an issue. I have had three fills and it is taking me some time to listen to my body and respond accordingly. There are times I cannot eat hardly anything in the morning and then at night I can eat a resonable meal. My goal has been to ensure that I am getting the appropriate amount of Protein. So on the days that I am struggling to keep food down, I will have some Protein drinks. I have also learned that some of my issues are attributed to trying to break 30 years of eating fast and not chewing my food. I have recently switched to using baby utensils and make myself put my fork or spoon down after every bite. Chew , chew, chew! I learned these things the hard way after much discomfort. I am doing much better now finally. When solid food is giving me a problem, I turn to homemade broth with pureed vegetables and very soft lowfat cheeses, refried Beans, and milk. I also try to stay has hydrated as possible by constantly drinking Water.

I am grateful for your reply...I too think it varies by day, and by food. And I can relate to the habit thing, of course. My habit in the past has been to simply ignore what my body is saying and push through with the food I'm wanting...not good. I do it less and with less food now, but still, I find that I push it. So I'm hearing this advice. Thanks

I will switch to baby utensils. I cannot see taking them out to eat with me tho. Gonna have to work on putting baby portions on grownup utensils! Can you believe that this is even a problem? Thanks agian

[kassy_360 3]

I have had the same issue, had 2 removed then 2 put back in a week later. Said the same thing about too much irritation and needing to take the 2cc's out to let things chill out. Noticed an immediate difference and gained 1 pound that week. The 2 cc's are back in and although am right back to getting stuck, some dry heaves and pain at times I am not feeling a full restriction. The discomfort is making me eat less not fullness or the band. So although I am loosing my doctor keeps saying this isn't "band by bulemia" I'm not sure what the next step is.

[54Shirley 105]

If this helps ! My Doc has me g u l p a 12 oz. glass of Water, if it can't go down, then to tight. But gulping was the key.