Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Empty but restricted



Recommended Posts

Soooo... I'm 4 months post op (11/04/15) and although per my nutritionist and surgeon I'm cleared to eat regular textures, I can't. I'm so frustrated with eating and chewing everything till mush. I haven't had a hot meal since I got banded. By the time I chew something up my food is cold and is even less appetizing. I'm so restricted it's depressing. Everything gets stuck . Big or small, liquid or solid...it gets stuck. My band is empty. I've never been adjusted. ..no need. I'm restricted just with the band placement. A meal should be between 4-6 oz but I'm stuck at about 2. I can keep fluids down but it takes forever to eat or drink anything. I saw my surgeon and he says that my band does appear to be tight but he can't empty it. There's nothing to remove. I admit that at times I still eat 2 fast or don't chew enough but whether I do or not everything gets stuck. I stick to Protein Shakes, yogurt and other soft stuff at work cause I can't run off to vomit every few minutes till the blockage is gone. Which brings me to the wicked acid reflux. GERD sucks. On a lighter note...I'm down 57lbs.

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't know if it would be a solution for you, but have you discussed with the surgeon the possibility of switching to a larger-capacity band?

My experience was different, but it may have some relevance. I had a 10cc band installed empty and I felt fine for the rest of the day. My medical plan required an overnight. Next morning, during the routine esophagram, I was unable to tolerate the barium; no drop of liquid would go down and trying was painful. My surgeon had me stay in-hospital so that I could be on IV. Her idea was to wait a little while in case the problem was swelling. With no improvement, we were back in the OR on day #4 to switch for a 14cc band. That solved the problem.

Again, I have no idea whether this might be a solution for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That may be an option. I really don't know what to do. The goal with this surgery is to aid in weight loss but not through malnutrition or starvation. He's satisfied with the fact that I can still keep liquids down so I can get my nutrition through my Protein shakes and I can stay hydrated but my quality of life sucks. The only thing he could offer me was that he agrees that the band is tight but there's nothing to remove and that he thinks if I lost a little bit more weight it would help. I still have some fat around that area that will go away giving the band more room to expand on its own but if I continue with these eating issues he recommends removal

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×