Restriction Problems

Judy L. · July 11, 2006

:help: Hello everyone;I would appreciate some input from experienced Lap-Banders as I am getting really discouraged.

I was banded 4/17/06-had my 1st fill on May 31st. I think it was too aggressive a fill or else something got stuck because I was vomiting so9lids and only keeping liquids down. So the Doctor did an "unfill" backk to 2cc(10 cc Band)--I was hungry and had minimal restriction. Had a 2nd fill on July 5th under fluoroscopy with barium and all to 5cc.That was 6 days ago and again have been vomiting solids.Went to the Doc this AM and he removed 1cc-now have 4 cc in there. They said that should be just right. I have tried mushies and have been vomiting again. I like some restriction as the weight loss is good--total of 28 pounds so far--- but I know the goal is to be able to eat small amounts of solid foods and chew well and eat slowly and lose weight.

Am I doing something wrong or is My Doc too aggressive with fills. My band area is sore from vomiting as is my throat. I am very discouraged. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.Judy

NJChick · July 11, 2006

IMHO, I would do liquids for a few days. It sounds like you could be swollen from the vomiting, then slowly incorporate mushies and then solids.

See how this goes, if your still having problems, then call your doctor.

Good luck !!!

shackdog · July 11, 2006

Listen to NJChick, I to aggree that I think you are swollen and this is causing most of your problems, Talk to the Doc and share your concerns with to much fill. I was banded the same day you and have only had one fill so far of 1cc. I am currently down 76lbs, I see the Doc today and I will ask him about your situation.

NaturalBeauty · July 11, 2006

Judy,

I agree with NJChick, you need to go on Clear Liquids for a few days so the swelling can go down and your throat can heal.

Restriction is a learned process and I am over a year out and still have a hard time after each fill now that I have good restriction. Sometimes, it takes me being on Clear Liquids for a week and mushie for a week but I have learned what works for me.

Please be careful, I know more than anyone how bad you want restriction but it's not worth any damage you can do to your band. If this restriction is to much than try .1 or .2. Now that I have a good amount in my band when I get fills it's only .1 or .2 and I still have to have patient with that small amount.

Good luck and give your throat and tummy a break whenever you BPing.

Best wishes and good luck!!

Chickie · July 12, 2006

I 4th, and 5th the liquids thing. See how that goes for a day or two.

niki · July 12, 2006

I would do as previous posters said. Your stomach must be pretty irritated by now and most probably swollen, too. Give your body some time to heal and rest. Go for liquids (tea/herbal infusions, smoothies, broth, etc) for a few days to allow it to calm down and before going back again to solid food. If this continues, you should talk openly to your doctor.

I've been banded for over a year (I've got a 10cc band too and my current fill is 7cc) and my doctor is the opposite of yours, which means he never gives me a fill of more than 1cc (even if I keep saying I still don't feel much of a restriction...) and never less than 4 or 5 months apart (this can be very frustrating sometimes...). He keeps saying that I spent so many years gaining all this extra weight, I can spend another couple of years in loosing it, slowly and steady (he defends it is important for my body and organs to slowly adapt to my new reality...). :tired

niki

mousecrazy · July 12, 2006

Another opening for my mantra: patience.

Try liquids for 48 hours. Then some mushies. Let the inflammation calm down. Slow down and take it easy. Getting in a hurry is not really helping anything...you are frustrated and not feeling well, and that's not the point.

We're going to feel hungry sometimes, of course. We learn as we go what works for us, and how to handle our food choices. You will get better and better at it with time.

Give these suggestions a shot, and see if you are feeling better soon!

marys · July 12, 2006

As someone with too much pbing experience I know and agree with others - you should definitely do liquids for at least two days - even when your throat/etc feel better you are still swollen. It should go down in 48 hours - ramen Soup broth, popsciles (sp), thinned down tomatoe soup and absolutely no cheating if you can help it. My doc also said maalox every 2-4 hours over ths time too but check with him/her. good luck and hang in there - i know it stinks when this happens!!!

Judy L. · July 13, 2006

Thanks to everyone for your support. I have had 2 "unfills"-one yesterday and one today and am doing just liquids and hoping for the best!!Thanks again for all the feedback! Judy

mka2210 · July 13, 2006

Hi,

Please be very careful...take it from someone who had a slip due to being too tight, pbing, swelling of the esophogus...and I eventually had to have band removed. I have since had it replaced and now know I should have done something sooner to prevent all of it!

I was, honestly, confused as what to do. I had lost almost all of my excess weight and was happy. I did not want it to go away, yet the more I pb'd, the worse it got. I could barely keep down H2O.

Had I fixed it earlier, It could have been repaired instead of removed!

I am now starting all over again, literally!:

Good luck, and trust your instincts and get your doctor to do another flouroscope and WATCH the barium go down. You may just be swollen from the pbing.

MKA