Help - Most Fluid Removed From Lap Band

[carymom 4]

Lap Band first of June. About two months ago I had my first fill - 1 cc - which took me to a total of 4. I began throwing up more - daily - no matter how slowly I ate, or how little. Reported it to PA, who took out all of the fill and put me on antibiotics and other things three weeks ago. Last week, he added back one cc, but I feel no absolutley restriction at all. I am not throwing up any more, but certainly not doing what I need to do to lose weight. My next appointment is not for another three weeks. Has anyone else had this experience?

Any support would be most appreciated.

[kittyforet 50]

My experience isn't quite the same but I was banded June 20, 2011. I didn't have any of the issues you had, but I didn't experience any restriction for the first 2-3 fills. Didn't even think I had a band until I had at least 5 cc. I'm at 6 cc now and can tell its there.

I've heard several people say they felt less restriction after being unfilled. Maybe it's the same with you?

Good luck.

[umystifyme 3]

I was having horrible acid reflux in April 2011. It was going on for weeks and it took my awhile to realize that I must be too tight. I hadn't had a fill since 2010. So I met my surgeon at the hospital and he took out most of my Fluid. He said he would rather see me gain 10-15 lbs then be suffering from acid reflux and having bouts of throwing up from being too tight. He said after my body recovered and I started feeling better, he would start with small fills. Well between April-Oct 2011, I gained 12 lbs. But also during this time, I was being treated medically for another medical problem. That medical treatment also causes weight gain, which was out of my control. So I got a fill in early Nov and I am back to my goal weight and am maintaining even with the holidays. Do not let having an unfill worry you. Your body needs to rest and recover from the constant vomiting. After a few weeks, you can start with fills and you will lose whatever you MAY gain. If you watch yourself carefully, you might not gain anything. Good luck to you!!

[jamierela 0]

I'm having a similiar problem. I haven't lost any weight since August and was banded in January 2011. I was too tight upuntil about 2 weeks ago when they did an unfill. I wasn't able to hold down any food and still wasn't losing. I was willing to suffer throwing up if I was losing, but I wasn't. I am now eating everything in sight. But they said I was swollen. Hopefully it straightens up cause I still have 40 pounds to my goal

[Jachut 487]

I had to be unfilled for six months for cancer treatment, I was more scared of gaining weight than anything else. By concentrating on salads, vegies and fruit to fill in the ability to eat more, and continuing to run daily, all i gained was the unhealthy weight loss fro surgery ( which had put me below a bmi of 19). But by the end of six months i *really* needed that fill back.

[carymom 4]

Thank you so much for all of your responses. I am experiencing the same fears and frustrations as the rest of you. I so fear that I will gain weight. I have gained two pounds since last week, and am frightened that there will be more before I have another fill. I know the band is a crutch for me - a tool - to help ensure that I lose weight. I have tried so many things, and this I don't want to screw up. I have 21.5 lbs to go.

To all of you, again, thanks.

[jenjaw 13]

I was banded in July and at the end of September I got a stomach virus. I was so sick and vomiting so often that my dr. took alittle fill out and then wound up taking everything out so that I could heal. I had nothing in my band for 2 weeks and once I felt better I was soooo hungry but I watched everyhting that went into my mouth. Just remember, it is only temporary so although right now you have to work super hard, in 6 weeks you'll be back on track.

[54Shirley 105]

I went through the same thing. I was a little to tight, then threw meds in a overnight hospital stay. I had swollen all up.

I had to have 1/2 of my fill removed the beginning of November. Well I healed, but I am starving.

I know it's in my Head, but it's driving me crazy. I can't get in till the 11th.. So trying to hang on,

but I can feel my FAT CELLS Growing. That to is driving me up the wall.

So I feel your PAIN !

[horsegirl315 114]

Lol @ Shirley and the fat cells. Hang in there Shirley, you can do it!!!

[carymom 4]

I can feel my fat cells growing, too! I think they're having little meetings at night and plotting to take back over. I cannot let them succeed. Forum friend are telling me that this is a temporary thing, so I am choosing to believe them, I am going to beat it. Nibbling getting worse, but I am writing down everything I eat so I can make sure that I don't go over 1200 calories a day. Well, I can't include Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, BUT, other than those, I am trying very hard.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. I feel like Linus in Peanuts needing his blanket. I will be glad to get my "security" fill back.

[dixiechick 4]

I had half of my fill taken out today. At first I didn't know if I was just finally feeling restriction and having to learn to use my band or if I was too tight. I started having problems eating anything solid , it got to where it hurt to eat Soup. Today when i saw my dr he said that I was too tight, and they removed half of my Fluid and told me to do the 6 day post fill diet , then I will go back in 4 weeks to check on things abs go from there.

I was upset at first, but I know I could not go on like I had been. We will survive this hurdle !

[CTMom 6]

This is so timely! My last fill was in September, and after that I was tightish, but to where I was losing weight at a decent, healthy rate. But starting with a vomiting episode the day before Christmas, I haven't been able to keep any real solids down for a few days. It is tough, and the Dr. is out of town until next week, so I cannot get an unfill until then. I keep hoping the swelling will go down, but then I will try to eat a couple small bites and it comes back up. I know I should really go on 3-4 days of Clear liquids but my husbands family is visiting from out of the country and they keep looking at me like I have three heads when I sit there at table with the dinner I just prepared them all and don't even try to eat any food! I'm miserable, and even the prospect of gaining a few lbs (I only have 11 more to lose) is fine, as long as I can eat something again.

[54Shirley 105]

You already know what to do. If you don't, and you keep swelling up, not only is it miserable, but you could easily end up in the E.R. getting unfilled. Staying unfilled until all the swelling goes down.

I understand the problem, but you have to think about you ! Stick to light Mushies if you can, and Soup if that's at your Table.

I have a recipe for a light Desert out of Cottage cheese that is good.

If interested let me know. I use this when I am to tight.

Good Luck.

[Mimilou2004 13]

I went throught the same thing and ended up with an unfill because I wouldn't stick to liquids for he week it usually takes for swelling to subside....54Shirley is right on target when she says you are going to end up in the ER with a complete unfill or worse yet a slip if you don't blow off your relatives' reaction.

Best wishes, and keep posting. By the way, I have gained 20 pounds in 3 weeks!!! Unfills are no fun, and being too tight is no good, either.

Mimi

[54Shirley 105]

I go in for a fill on the 11th. from this unfill that I had to have. I don't even want to see what I have gained...

But you are right too Mimilou... You do what you must ! That is the Truth ! If it means a slight unfill compared to a few days in the Hospital, and a unfill anyway ! It's best to just do it.

Try liquids first ! For like a week or 2. You could stay swollen that long. If you can swallow after that ! Then that's fine.

But you either do the liquid, and stick to it, or go see your Dr. for a unfill, so you can enjoy dinner with your Company.

That's up to you...