Band too tight - horrible!

[endingyoyo 28]

I got a fill yesterday (.5 cc) and came home, started dinner (for my kids - I'm on liquids and my husband is traveling). As I was setting the table, I took my Vitamins and it immediately got stuck. It was the worst stuck episode I've ever had.

Finally threw up but still had horrible pain. Couldn't get liquids down, significant burping and chest pain. I could throw up at any point.

Went to bed and it was ever worse. Acid, coughing, burping. Woke up every 20 minutes or so, the whole night.

Went to to Doctor first thing this morning and they took .25cc out. Still too tight. I couldn't keep liquids down. Went back a second time and they took a full cc out.

Instant relief, thank God!!! It was the worst feeling of my life!! I'm going to be SO gun shy with fills moving forward.

If anyone ever asks what's the one thing I wish I had known before doing lapband, it would be how long and hard it is to find the green zone.

[lellow 1,713]

I'm going to put this out there: It's easier to find the green zone with smaller fills. It may take longer but the chances of pushing PAST it is lessened by heaps. I'm not talking about you in particular but I see the same type of post regarding overfills all the time so thought I'd mention that here.

That they had to take more out than they put in because your stoma had become so swollen actually set you back. And you were miserable as well! Finding the green zone takes patience and faith that you will get there.

[LadyMaggie 145]

I understand it is one step forward; two steps backwards. I have now named my band "Tank" . . . . short for cantankerous!

[Cocoabean 430]

Sorry you had to go through that! I've had Fluid removed twice now.

My band is "Bandit" because it steaks my meals!

Edit...STEALS my meals.. ha! steaks....

[lellow 1,713]

Lol I just realised I sounded like this 'small fill' evangelist! I did not mention that I too have been overfilled and it SUCKS. Which is how I started to understand that my first doctor (from before moving states) was right when he said he was going to take it slow. Never had an overfill episode with him ever, and we found the green zone easily that first time around. Since then, new doctoir, bigger fills = more overfilled episodes.

So just trying to impart the lesson I learnt so others don't go through the to and fro of feeling that the green zone is so hard to find. Small fills may feel like a pain in the behind but there is great reasoning behind it.

[#MagicWithinme 173]

Thats what's happened to me, dr tries to put 1 cc , and 1.5 and it was way too much, the first time, because I had so much trouble, everything inside got swollen he had to take everything out and wait 4-6 weeks before starting over. Monday he tried 1.5 again and Wed I was back in office because I couldn't catch my breath he ended up leaving .25 of fill he had just put in, small steps at a time, breathing is easier but I can tell there was some swelling, but not as bad as the first time, liquids for awhile...

[aubrey222 45]

Over fills are the worst. Couldn't get nothing down. I stayed like that for about 5 days before I realized the needed to take it out. It was a 1cc fill. The dr told me there was no way my now 4cc band was too tight but I threw up Mushies and felt the Water backing up as I was drinking it. That bad experience has totally turned me off to food. I hardly want to eat anymore even tho he took out the fill. Can't get that horrible experience out of me head

[dawalsh 919]

Over fills are the worst. Couldn't get nothing down. I stayed like that for about 5 days before I realized the needed to take it out. It was a 1cc fill. The dr told me there was no way my now 4cc band was too tight but I threw up Mushies and felt the Water backing up as I was drinking it. That bad experience has totally turned me off to food. I hardly want to eat anymore even tho he took out the fill. Can't get that horrible experience out of me head

Are you eating at all? Also, where did you get the 4cc band? I thought they didn't use the 4cc band anymore. How long have you had your band?

[dawalsh 919]

Well, I can certainly see why my surgeon is so conservative. He only does a tiny fill every time and I'm OK with that. I still am careful with what I eat and count my calories for everything. It's a 2 1/2 hr drive to my surgeon's office but I'll go every month until I get it right. I'm going for fills every 4-6 weeks and I'm banded 8 months. If it takes me over a year so be it. At least I'm practicing good eating habits in the process. I'm hungry still but I keep reminding myself that keeping my portions under control is key. There are so many times that I want another helping but won't do it because that was one of my old habits going for an extra helping. I refuse to give in to my head hunger and hope I get to that green zone someday. :-)