What does tight feel like?

[drehn88 251]

I've read a lot about people feeling "tight" in the morning and sometimes through the afternoon. What does this feel like? For the last month or so I feel "swollen" in the middle of my chest (where my band is located). I'm able to eat through this feeling, but it doesn't go away until late afternoon. Is this what tight feels to you?

[cheryl2586 3,053]

My only description would be that food feels sluggish going down. If you eat some solids it might get stuck. When I am tight I get stuck that is why I try to eat yogurt or something soft for Breakfast so I wont have to be in the toilet puking my guts out.

[B-52 7,113]

I hear people talking about it all the time...they do not like a tight band....I also wonder what they mean when they say the band is tight.....

I think it varies from each individuals perception and comfort zone...

For instance, there are certain foods I will no longer eat because they are too risky with the band, and also I am unable to overeat...my portions are limited by the band/pouch.....

Others will say they should be able to eat whatever they want, and that portion sizes are something the individual must determine for themselves....

Some people cannot drink carbonated drinks, and must crush their med's....is that too tight?

Some people, after getting stuck and regurgitate their food for the first time will say that to tight? And go get Fluid taken out....or did they not follow the rules? and still hold onto some old habits...?

For me, it is a subjective topic....different for everyone....but I read posts everyday where people say they do not want a tight band....and I still wonder what they consider a tight band...

We did after all, have this surgery in hopes it would do something....something we were not able to achieve without it....for me it was changing my lifestyle...and that took some kicking and screaming until I finally adapted.

[lisacaron 5,075]

For me tightness feels a bit like I have just eaten even if I have not eaten a thing. When I awake in the morning and I think for me it's because I have a bit of a post nasal drip that I have had my whole life. I will wake up and that stoma opening where food goes through is just not open enough to allow food to pass.

Should I take a bite of something before having a liquid or warm beverage it feels a bit like sandpaper going down. Eventually it makes it there but it's not a pleasant feeling as it goes through. I have not had anything get stuck but it will take an overly long time to pass by the band.

For me being "too tight" in the band is that feeling all day long. Where you can't eat any volume of food over a bite of this or that and you are mostly relying on liquids for nourishment.

I was banded to help me change my life style and eating habits. To help me control my portion sizes, and hunger not so I can turn into a juicer, and that is what my band does for me.

I am losing weight, eating band sized portions of food and I am not hungry or craving between meals. I can swallow my meds with out an issue, (there are some people i know who crush meds and are NOT banded. I think that's a psychological thing with swallowing something you didn't chew first.) I don't drink carbonation because my Dr. advised against it and I follow his advice. He went to medical school, and took certification for surgical use of the band I did not so I trust him when he tells me carbonation is not good for me or the band. The plus is I have no desire for it so it's not a problem. I gave it up long before surgery as did my husband.

So that's my opinion on what too tight means...but it is subjective and what I find to be "tight" might be just what another person is looking for and vs.versa.

So you find what works for YOU and rock it!

Edited February 12, 2014 by lisacaron

[mrsto 2,925]

After my last fill, I now understand the whole tight thing. If I eat too much or too fast, my throat gets thick.....like a lump I need to swallow. That didn't happen before the last (5th) fill. I also am really done eating with much less. If I go over, I really don't feel well. I'm coming up on my 11th month, and I'm just now feeling things I've heard others talk about. I believe I'm finally in the green. I've never been stuck where things came back up....or slimmed, but that thick mucosy feeling in my throat is as close as I EVER want to get to it. I've had little stuck things, but they easily go down with a small sip or two of Water. This only happens on the occasional time I go a little brain dead while eating.

[MountainMan 69]

I agree that "tight" is subjective. In my experience, "tight" is too tight. If I have any trouble eating while following the rules (dense Protein, Portion Control, no liquids with meals) that's a problem, because I'll be hungry and rely on slider foods to satisfy me. I want to eat any healthy foods I choose without productive burps, sliming, vomiting, etc. I lose weight better this way. When I've been "tight" I suffer, don't enjoy eating, and don't lose weight. It's unhealthy, and puts my long-term health at risk. I'd rather lose weight at a slower pace and not be miserable day-to-day. I know others want their bands filled so they're as tight as can be, but I'm not one of them. To each their own...

[drehn88 251]

After my last fill, I now understand the whole tight thing. If I eat too much or too fast, my throat gets thick.....like a lump I need to swallow. That didn't happen before the last (5th) fill. I also am really done eating with much less. If I go over, I really don't feel well. I'm coming up on my 11th month, and I'm just now feeling things I've heard others talk about. I believe I'm finally in the green. I've never been stuck where things came back up....or slimmed, but that thick mucosy feeling in my throat is as close as I EVER want to get to it. I've had little stuck things, but they easily go down with a small sip or two of Water. This only happens on the occasional time I go a little brain dead while eating.

Thank you for your comments! Mrsto...that is EXACTLY how I feel! We've been banded almost the same amount of time and I only started feeling this after my last fill. I was really busy at work today so I only had coffee until 11:30 when I ate lunch. I felt SO much better today and only had the "thick" feeling during the morning. YEA! B52...I often think about what you say about learning the hard way. I think this is a perfect example. Eat until I'm physically hungry (ie, when my band is ready) and take tiny bites. I truly believe this will prevent that thick feeling in my throat. I hope all of you veterans know how much help you give us newbies! I don't know how people do it without support.

[The Icy One 518]

Honestly, I don't really know. I don't have a "tight" band. It is balanced, I have lovely satiety; I have a softly snug feeling in the morning that eases up after I have my morning gallon of hot coffee. But that is about it. I felt a little tight, I suppose right after my surgery, when I was very swollen, as I also had a hiatal hernia repair, but even then, it was just snug, not really tight-tight.

Yeah. That was a lot of help, wasn't it?