When does the swelling normally go down after a fill?

[Junebug36 154]

I'm sure this has been asked on here, but I'm not finding it....I just got my first fill a week ago, and have been on liquids for the first 2 days...then mushies for 2 days. The problems start when I try to eat anything solid. I chew and chew...swallow and get swollen. Now even mushies hurt to swallow. I keep going back to liquids for most of the day. I'm frustrated because prior to the fill I was able to eat about 1 1/2 cups of food...and was full for 4 hours. I could eat dense protien and vegetables. Now all I can seem to handle is protien shakes, and that's due to swelling I get when I attempt normal food. So! Question is, am I too tight, or is it too early to tell such a thing? I was losing weight just fine prior to the fill, but my surgeon didn't want me eating 1 1/2 cups...he wants me down to 1 cup. Right now, I can hardly eat 1/4 cup of solids before feeling my throat swell. If it is soupy, or liquids...I have no issues. Sigh. Maybe if I'm on straight liquids for a week then mushies for a week like I was after surgery, it will calm down? I know some of you have gotten a fill..thought it was too tight, but ended up being perfect after a month or so. Not sure when I should be concerned about it being too much.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Some misconceptions seem to be part of your thinking. First, the band won't stop you from eating 1, 2 or 3 cups of food. You still have a large, regular sized stomach below the band. I can eat more than 1 cup anytime I want. But do I want to, that is the question?

Feeling full is never what we strive to be. Feeling satisfied with less food is the goal. If you eat till you're full, you've eaten too much usually. Not being hungry for 4 hours means you're in the green zone, right where we all want to be. Seems like your doctor is trigger happy with the fills. Rather unusual because usually it's the other way around, they're stingy with fills.

Yes, I would ask for a small unfill. Maybe .25 CCs? Now sometimes the fill settles in and you'll be able to eat more, or, maybe less? give it till Monday and if the issue isn't resolved by then, ask for a small unfill.

[Junebug36 154]

Okay, full was the wrong term...I was satisfied after 1 1/2 cups for 4 hours at a time. My surgeon wants me to be satisfied with 1 cup. I'm just used to using the term "full" to describe satisfied and done...not overstuffed. I am putting myself on clear liquid today..as my throat feels really swollen, and hurts to drink anything thicker than Water. It's crazy .5 cc will do this. I already had 5cc in the band at surgery. I was happy he put that much in at surgery...I didn't have the banister hell stall so many talk of... But I suppose this is kinda banster hell...just a different kind...lol! I'm with you on thinking maybe .25 taken out would be perfect. I just didn't know how long it takes a fill to settle in. Maybe if this swelling would ever go down, I could better determine the need of an unfill. My main question is, how long does it usually take for the swelling to subside? 2 days, 2 weeks? What is normal, and when do you need to be concerned?

[2muchfun 8,927]

No such thing as normal. All of my fills took 2 days to take effect except the last one and it didn't settle in till about day 10 and it's been consistent since then.

[Junebug36 154]

So, after struggling with solids for 2 weeks, I went in and got .3cc taken out...feel sooo much better!

[PRIMADONA60 10]

So, after struggling with solids for 2 weeks, I went in and got .3cc taken out...feel sooo much better!

I also feel the same three weeks ago I had a fill of . 5 cc, and still I'm very restricted ....... I. Do good with liquids, however solids seem to hurt still. I'm wait for my next appointment , to see if I gets any better...... Finally starting to lose, I'm happy about that...... I don't want to go in for an unfill and lose restriction, as I've read could happen. It has taken me so long to reach an kind of restriction

[Junebug36 154]

I really don't think restriction should make eating painful, and cause swelling. I was really worried about the damage it might cause to my esophagus. I felt comfortable restriction before the fill, with 5cc... I was satisfied on small amounts, and it wasn't painful at all. I think I'm back to that point again. Be careful...from what I have researched, a too tight band can cause problems later on. That's why I finally went in...in fact my surgeon wanted me to come in as soon as possible when I told him about my issues with solids. Tricky business, finding the sweet spot with these bands. Keep me posted on how you are! It helps to know others are going through the same things :-)

[proudmary 10]

Hi Junebug,

I just saw your posts after personally messaging you. Very helpful. I did not get a fill at the time of surgery so my first fill came yesterday at 4cc.

[Junebug36 154]

Yeah...I had a bit too much. Sooo much better now :-). Just had to listen to my body.