UGH! had to get a complete unfill!

[Sunta 5]

Ugghhh! Everything was totally fine until yesterday! I'd had 1.5cc's in my band for nearly seven months with NO issues whatsoever. Then, totally and completely out of the blue, I took a sip of Water yesterday and my band just clamped shut! I was so shocked! I had it happen one other time, but that was one week after a fill, and this time I'd been going along perfectly for so long, not even PBing that often at all and really enjoying life.

Anyway, my band totally shut down and up came the water. I was so shocked and shaken, I immediately thought my band had slipped. I tried some warm tea, and up it came. Then I tried some chewable gas-x and an antacid. All came right back up. I waited about a half hour and tried the warm tea again. Nope. Nada, nothing was getting through at all.

Not being one to wait around when I can't swallow liquids, I immediately called my doctor and they said to come in right away. Thank god it happened on a day he happened to be there! I went in and he took ALL of my fill out. I could then drink normally thank goodness. He sent me immediately to the hospital for a swallow study.

The radiologist said everything looked good to him and he didn't see anything unusual, and my doc called this morning and said the same thing. Actually it was his NP so I am now waiting to hear back from him as to when I can get refilled. He didn't tell me to stay on liquids or anything so I've been eating normally and so far, so good.

What the heck caused this??? It's sooo scary that it can happen out of the blue like that! I did have my period but that has never been an issue before (some people say they get really tight during their period) in the 15 months I've been banded.

I want to go to Italy in October, but really dread traveling so far away from my doc when the band can just shut down like that out of the blue. It's horrible!

So I'm totally unfilled and am terrified of hunger. I'm taking hoodia and it seems to be doing something slightly I guess because I was actually able to stay on bandster portions all day today.

I just wonder what the heck happened. The water I tried to drink did have ice in it and it was morning. So maybe no more cold drinks in the morning ever again! But, I've been having cold drinks all along with no problems.

I wonder if it could be a stomach virus or something?

Life with the band is really wild!

[AnotherMe 0]

Hello! Sorry to hear you had such a rough time. Sounds like the symptoms of a slip, but without the pain.

GREAT news that so far everything looks OK. Hopefully the unfill bring any swelling down that might have caused the problem. I've also heard that sinus drainage can cause issues, you don't happen to suffer from this?

Don't get discouraged, keep up the good work with your Portion Control. Hopefully the Doc will have good news on when he can add a small fill. Take it slow so you can gauge any problems that arise.

All the best,

Karla

[Alexandra 55]

Yikes, Sunta, that is really unnerving! I know that allergy congestion was a big source of my issues, and Water retention from other reasons also contributed to tightness. Good on you for getting immediate attention.

[serious 2]

Hi Sunta,

I don't know what caused you to be unable to tolerate even Water...but I can tell you that I have had 1.1 ccs in my band forever from my first fill, and can't imagine adding anymore. I am unable to tolerate most solids in the am, even after drinking warm fluids, if I try, I will be guaranteed a PB. I also know that when it is my time of the month, my band gets really tight, it also seems to get tighter if I am stressed. Anyway, glad your doc didn't find any problems with the band.

[areellady 1]

Hope you are feeling better and that shows how important it is too really pay attention to what your body is doing and get help right away...Deanna Thanks for posting about this....I think most newbies think stuff like this only will happen AFTER a fill....

[*susan* 1,709]

Sunta, I am so sorry that happened, but glad that everything is ok. I always get incredibly tight in the days before my period. Also, stress can cause you to tighen up as well. As far as drinking cold drinks, for me, that is a complete no-no. I have to drink everything at room temp in order to get it down.

Hopefully you won't have to wait too long to get another fill. Just long enough for your tummy to recover.

[Iluvharleys 15]

Sorry you had to go through that! It won't be long until you get another fill and you'll be back to losing. Good Luck!

[Esmeralda 2]

Sunta where do you get the hoodia you take, I am intereseted in buying them.

[Betsyjane 2]

When you travel, go or a slight unfill beforehand.