Help! I'm a lap-band failure...

[Kryssa 1]

I was reading the "Throwing up all the time" thread and I totally relate. Rather than hijack her thread, I've started my own.

For anyone who has not read my somewhat whiny posts all over the boards, here is the situation.

I am 17 weeks post-op. I've lost approximately 9 lbs. I have had 4 fills, I currently have 2.2ccs. I Pb after the first bite of any food more solid than oatmeal. Everytime. So I'm too tight, right? No, my doc has checked me throughly (Tuesday) and says I'm not. And after the Pb, I can eat almost anything. The Pb is usually just alot of mucus (TMI, I know) coming up, not my food. And when I can eat I can eat alot. And I am always always always hungry.

Thinking it might be WHAT I'm eating, I've cut out the bread, and I'm doing meat and veggies. But I still Pb after the first bite 90% of the time. It does not hurt anymore after I get the mucus up and then the hunger results in my overeating. I've got to admit, I'm starting to get conditioned against eating at all. I have found myself eating soft foods to avoid pain. And since I've always had the pain and mucus I didn't realize it wasn't normal til about a week ago. But really, it's JUST the first bite. I can almost feel the stretch as the food goes through and then...ah, relief. My doc said I wasn't chewing good enough, but even that doesn't seem to help much.

Am I total failure at this? What can I do different? Doc says unfill not needed, so any other suggestions are welcome...

[mrycrltn 2]

It sounds like how I was. I had my 2nd fill Monday and it is finally working. I was on the liquid for the first part of the week, and I have now started solids. It sounds like you are not taking small enough bites or chewing your food to small enough bites. The PB'ing sounds like you are eating around the band. You know the first time I heard that was from Paul on this group, and it just hit the nail on the head. Slow down on the eating and make sure you are not drinking anything until you are done.

[donali 57]

Are you drinking hot/very warm liquids prior to eating? That may help clear out the mucus before your first bite.

There is also something known as "first bite syndrome", which I believe is attributed to esophogeal spasms. This can also be helped by drinking hot liquids first.

I experienced a month or so of this phenomenon, and did the Hot drinks, then would take ONE very small, well chewed bite, and then WAIT 5-10 minutes before resuming my meal, and that helped a great deal with the pain.

After about a month the problem went away.

[princess_n_thep 2]

Darn, I would have bet dime to dollar that it was the too tight of a fill! I mean, geez, you have had 5 fills in 3 months!!! Did the doctor do a flouro on you (drinking the barium under xray)????

Hmmmmmmm, maybe you are stressed? Try some deep breathing exercises to destress before eating? I agree with the warm liquid idea too.

Keep us updated!!

[HeatherGurl 0]

It sounds to me like you are not chewing well enough also. I know it is a pain, but try

[Alexandra 55]

We were just talking about this exact thing in a support group meeting the other night. I think it's first-bite syndrome, which is common enough to have a name. As was mentioned, a hot drink before eating can help a lot.

But as to your question, NO, you are not a failure!! Everyone has their learning issues when it comes to their own band, and everyone's body behaves a little bit differently. You're learning how yours behaves, and now you have to figure out how to work with it.

Try taking that first bite and then getting up and walking around. Take a drink of something warm. Rest a good two or three minutes after the first bite, and don't take another one until you feel COMPLETELY clear. Make your first bite something super soft and take it really slow before swallowing. Your esophagus is just not ready for the meal, and you have to figure out how to prime it for the solid food that is coming.

Good luck, and I'm totally confident that you will work it out. Don't fight it--work with it and let your body guide you. You'll do fine!

[wendyr 0]

Taking deep breaths help me, and streching, my daughters always ask me what I'm doing when I sit up straight and stretch out, it seems to help.

[Bell 0]

I have allergies really bad, and I have found that hot tea before any meal really helps clear the mucus out, esp. in the mornings.

[Kryssa 1]

Allergies! oh my, I live in a swamp! SE Georgia, tidelands, marsh, low country, swamp, whatever you want to call it. I can't live without Zyrtec. I hadn't thought about that. Hmm...

BTW, I had the mucus-makes-me-throw-up thing when I was pregnant with my daughter; could it be the same thing? She was very high and pushing on my stomach, same effect as the band? I lost 50 lbs while I was pregnant with her because I lost 1/2 of every meal I ever ate! My son, however was one of those nice, low, never caused any trouble at all pregnancy. It's been so long since I had the problems with my girl that I didn't even think about it until reading your posts reminded me.

My DH is too finished with me, guys. I'm so glad you all are here because he's gotten to that "I don't want to talk about it anymore" stage. How can I not talk about something that is affecting me 3 times a day? I'd blow up and my stress level would go through the roof! Thanks so much!

[giveyouthemoon 4]

I have to echo what every one else has said. I was sort of having this issue and now I ALWAYS have something hot to drink before eating. It helps sooooo much!!! Try it! Hot tea. coffee. sugar free hot chocolate. Sometimes I'll even just sip hot Water.

And no you are not a failure. Keep swinging slugger, you'll get this worked out!!

[DeLarla 22]

Kryssa, are you like that all day, or just in the mornings? I could never eat in the morning, so I stuck with Protein Shakes till around 1:00. Can you eat Soups? That must really suck

[DeLarla 22]

Now that I think back, I might have had a touch of the "first bite syndrome." I'd often PB right out of the gate, but a few minutes later I was fine. I, however, have to confess to eating too fast or while doing something else. I'd be standing fixing a plate and pop a bite in my mouth. When my band was tight, eating was a solo activity. No talking, no moving - or else.

[Kryssa 1]

All day long though it's actually a bit worse at night. Oatmeal in the AM, lean cuisine for lunch, home-cooked for dinner most nights.

[wendyr 0]

The only thing about drinking something hot is you are not suppose to drink a half hour before you eat? So do you drink something hot an hour before you eat, I know when I am tight it takes me a half hour to drink a cup of tea.

[Kryssa 1]

I'm pretty sure I'm not too tight. I can gulp liquids with no problem. 20 oz in a minute, sure. My doc also said it's ok to drink before just not with or after meals. The Fluid should go on down and not be there to mix with your food.< /p>