Much too tight for comfort

[Bigbandbetty 12]

Oh my..... This is a long and very hard slog. I'm finally achieving weight loss but the band is waaaaaaaaay too tight. I realise now. I hiccup, burp, have reflux at night (sometimes vomit and can't make the bathroom.....awful) I have pain when I eat the smallest amount of well chewed food and I have a constant cough, day and night now. After my fill, 8 ish weeks ago, I had a bad few weeks. It settled down and now, it's so bad for me. I go back to the clinic on 22nd April. It would suit me to have the band emptied and removed. That's how bad I feel. Have I lost weight....sure I have. Who wouldn't on the amount I can get down. I can't wait to have the adjustment. I just want to drink a pint of water...... All at once and enjoy a light ham salad for a meal and maybe a Protein Shake or some Meal Replacement supplement. Please tell me that we can reach the green zone without all that I describe above. I'm exhausted with it.

[Bandista 7,466]

Can't you get in sooner? This sounds like the red zone! The links below in my signature really helped me understand how the band works. It's not about restriction. Good luck to you -- I hope you get relief soon.

[KateP 359]

I'm sure I have answered this somewhere else??????

You are much too tight, dangerously tight. You need some saline removed as soon as possible.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Oh my..... This is a long and very hard slog. I'm finally achieving weight loss but the band is waaaaaaaaay too tight. I realise now. I hiccup, burp, have reflux at night (sometimes vomit and can't make the bathroom.....awful) I have pain when I eat the smallest amount of well chewed food and I have a constant cough, day and night now. After my fill, 8 ish weeks ago, I had a bad few weeks. It settled down and now, it's so bad for me. I go back to the clinic on 22nd April. It would suit me to have the band emptied and removed. That's how bad I feel. Have I lost weight....sure I have. Who wouldn't on the amount I can get down. I can't wait to have the adjustment. I just want to drink a pint of Water...... All at once and enjoy a light ham salad for a meal and maybe a Protein shake or some Meal Replacement supplement. Please tell me that we can reach the green zone without all that I describe above. I'm exhausted with it.

Please keep in mind in your band journey that eating should NEVER be painful (unless you are eating something soon after post op surgery you shouldn't). We all got this surgery as a tool to help us lose weight. The band (and all WLS) should allow you to eat the healthy foods in the right amount.

What you are describing is a horror and you need to see your surgeon ASAP for an unfill. If he can't see you - go to the ER. You could get seriously dehydrated.

Additionally, keeping a tight band is one of the reasons, IMO, for band failure - it causes erosion, GERD, esophageal dilation, etc..

Please get the help you need NOW.

[Bandista 7,466]

and a too-tight band in the Red Zone will make it harder to lose weight.......it's not about restriction, it's about dimming the appetite......BEST WISHES! Let us know how you're doing.

[Bigbandbetty 12]

Thanks everyone. The advice is appreciated. I will let you know how I get on.

[Bigbandbetty 12]

I think I need to update you all or at least log my feelings for my journal. I'm pretty desperate right now but I'm stuck in France. I have an appointment with the Bariatric nurse at 11am on Wednesday next. I can't wait. Today the pain on swallowing increased somewhat and despite not eating, it won't subside. I feel pain when my saliva has built up in the pouch. I fly home tomorrow and expect the band to tighten more with the altitude. I'm worried now. I can't get this sorted before Wednesday so I just hope the band will settle again. I have had three days of reasonable comfort and hoped that it would last until my appointment. There is no chance at all of going to the hospital here. I am a 2hr drive from a town. I fly home to the UK tomorrow at 1800hrs, fingers crossed for me friends......I have tried to aspirate myself with a needle I have for emergencies but I couldn't penetrate my port and having only one needle I couldn't try again as it wasn't then sterile. I will let you know how I get on. Thanks for listening.

[KateP 359]

Can you drink? If not, this becomes an emergency and you need to go to A and E. Baritaric surgery is widely available in France and in the UK and the emergency depts at most major hospitals could remove saline. I have never heard of anyone trying to do it themselves! But even if you are two hours from a hospital, if you can't drink, any doctor might be able to help.

If you are flying to the UK, couid you see a doctor in the UK? Depending on the airport, why not ring around the area before you leave France? Any major NHS hospital, any BUPA or Spire private one. Plenty of these in the S of Engiand.

My best wishes.

[Lalesia 0]

also being that tight can stretch your pouch...

[Bigbandbetty 12]

Hi, I'm back in the UK now and I have been able to drink fluids slowly so I have avoided becoming dehydrated. I can last now until 9am on Wednesday but I am so looking forward to being less restricted. Thank you for all your concerns. You all offer very valid points. Self aspirating? Don't go there! Speak on Wednesday after my appointment.

[Bigbandbetty 12]

Hello my faithful friends. Here is my update. As you know I have been too tight and had a pretty traumatic time as a result. I got to the clinic yesterday and after explaining everything to the nurse she aspirated .5ml from my band. The relief was instantaneous. I have to go back in four weeks but so far I don't have any of the symptoms that I had before. I can drink freely and eat textured food. I don't feel hungry. Hopefully this will mean that I am in the green zone at last.

[meggs353 118]

That's great news. It's amazing what a difference a small fill or unfill can make! Good for you for taking care if yourself.

[Rebecca Peterson 5]

Can't you get in sooner? This sounds like the red zone! The links below in my signature really helped me understand how the band works. It's not about restriction. Good luck to you -- I hope you get relief soon.

Wow - those links were really eye opening. I wish I had access to that information a year or more ago! Thank you!