What To Do?

[dixiechick 4]

I have strange things going on with my band. I dont know if I need to have a slight unfill or do I finally have restriction and just going through the learning curve?

I had my third fill 5 weeks ago, and everything was fine till last week. Last week I had a really bad stuck episode, my fault I had not eaten and was so hungery and in a hurry. Well the second bite got stuck, and after much pain it finally came up.

Since then, I feel like everything I try to eat is uncomfortable, tight in the band, and causes discomfort with occasionaly sliming. I does not matter if it is Soup or solid Protein.

I just dont know if I finally have restriction and now forced to slow down, take small bites, and chew chew chew. I thought about doing the "after fill" eating plan for 7 days and give my band a rest in case I have just irritated it. I really dont want to get a unfill....since this is the first time since I had surgery in July that I have restriction....

Open to any comments

[vlp1968 83]

You may have swelling from the fill. As long as liquids stay down you might want to give it a few days. Sticking with protien shakes for a few days, then trying solid food again might be a good idea. Don't wait too long, I've been there and suffered needlessly. A slight unfill could do the trick. The doc. probably won't take out the whole fill, just a bit. That could put you in the elusive (at least for me) sweet spot. Best wishes.

[B-52 7,113]

IMO, you are where you should be. You are experiencing restriction. You answered your own question as to why you got stuck. That is all about the learning experience living with the band. You will probably, as I did get the same experience more times in the future. I had to learn new lessons he hard way.

The fact that you have residual discomfort is probably warranted to eating and swallowing too much and too fast, resulting in irritation. This has happened to me and when it does, I go to cream Soups, shakes, etc for a day or 2 to let things calm down.

I have read here many times where people who get stuck for the first time, panic and run to their Dr. and get unfilled. IMO, they are backing down from what they wanted all the time. But again, that's only my opinion and personal experience.

As for me, I took it for granted that this is what was going to happen having a band wrapped around the upper portion of my stomach. Again, for me, I welcomed it and worked with it, learning all the new ways of eating, new foods and foods to avoid, etc.

It's funny. All the little things - lessons they teach you during the early stages made no sense and came across as lessons I need to adhere to by will power and discipline. After getting good restriction (green zone) I found that these little lessons where the only way I could live with the band.