need an unfill??!??

[Coley1603 2]

How do you know if you need an unfill and how long do you wait and see? I know that I am sensitive to fills and just had my 4th one last Monday putting me at about 4ish cc in 10cc band. I was banded 6/28/12 and have lost around 35lbs including pre op diet. I was doing fine most of the week but mostly liquid and mushy and once yesterday I couldn't even keep tuna down and then today haven't been able to est any solids and tried baked salmon for dinner and still pb'ing... noticed I am getting that stuck feeling at the littlest amounts. Not sure if this means I need unfill or getting to green zone and the band is just working? Have had very little restriction most of the time other then when I very first had surgery.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

The first thing I would do is try smaller bites. Really small, like the size of your fingernail. Also, chew it until mush and pause between bites.

If you do this and still can't eat solids, it's entirely possible you're too tight and need a slight unfill. If that's the case, don't wait, call your doctor. Being too tight can not only prevent you from getting enough nutrients and cause weight gain, but it can actually lead to slips if left that way. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Best wishes.

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

I agree with Missy. Also, what I have noticed for me is this last fill I thought I was too tight (even after a slight unfill) and I realized I just needed to tweak/refine my eating habits even more. As we get more restricted we need to be very diligent about taking very small bites, chewing, pausing, etc. There are a couple foods I do not tolerate (scrambled eggs - though regular over easy are ok, and some breads). Aside from refining my eating, this last time I felt I needed another unfill, I stuck to liquids, mushies and soft foods for a couple days then resumed with eating smaller pieces, etc. I found I didn't need an unfill and it was just irritated from overdoing it after the fill. By doing liquids and soft foods for a couple days to let things settle. So I wasn't actually needing an unfill and had just irritated it with some scrambled eggs I had eaten. I never did get anymore removed and am doing well now. So to make a short story long (I am good at that), try taking it easy a couple days and then make sure to do tiny bites, waiting, chewing, etc and if you are still getting stuck perhaps a slight unfill is in order.

At any point if you are feeling uncomfortable please consult your WLS for true medical advice.

Good luck and best wishes to you.

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

After having "stuck moments" it can be irritated to where you have trouble w/ any solid foods. Many people do liquids or mushies for a day or two after being "stuck" and then resume solid foods.

[Coley1603 2]

I am doing much better today so far. I think maybe I was irritated and also taking too big of bites/eating too fast since this is one of the first fills I have had major restriction with.

[SageTracey 608]

That's great, just remember that our doctors etc will be closed over the holidays so don't leave it too late if you realise that you do need an unfill. My surgeon prefers not to do fills in the three weeks leading up to Christmas just in case.

[YngGram 73]

After having "stuck moments" it can be irritated to where you have trouble w/ any solid foods. Many people do liquids or mushies for a day or two after being "stuck" and then resume solid foods.

This is right on target! Not only do smaller bites, put down the fork to slow you down. Swallow before next bite.

[hypothyroid 1]

Interesting info. I have always gone back for an unfill because when I get stuck, it seems to get worse as time goes on. I've been told to come back to the office as soon as irritation starts so as to avoid getting to a point of no return or slippage. I feel like I have had more unfills than fills. I get a good fill with resultant restriction but then out of nowhere I'll get stuck most times with a sensation of a a large lump in my chest or back and inability to drink much or I'll have discomfort with drinking. That is such an uncomfortable feeling! I so want to be successful with my band. I just feel like when I get a good fill and lose some weight, I end up getting stuck, get an unfill and go 3 steps back gaining all the weight back. I am going to try to go to all liquid the next time I get a stuck feeling and see how that works.

[Skyvic 226]

How do I know for me...I've only had one unfill which surgeon said this is what the band tells us when you ate uncomfortable. First, if I am following the rules and still having issues along with pain, pain in back and shoulders, discomfort as food goes down, regurgitation that is more frequent, basically that red zone on chart. Also you can't get enough Protein or Water down, tend to use slider foods. You will know. I waited about two weeks after my initial fill that sent me over the edge. I waited another two weeks and them realized this was not the direction I should go. The unfill did help, I'm healthier, have not gained any since, but have not lost so its bittersweet. You just don't want a slip and you want to be healthy. I may consider a fill after January.