Completely Unfilled & Still Restricted

[stella 0]

I have been banded since June 2006 and have been un-filled since last year because of restriction problems. I have not been able to eat a "real" meal since my surgery, which I am ok with, but I would like to be able to eat something nutritious other than mashed potatoes, Soups and candy. I have been checked by my doctor and all looks good. I've had the fluro and it flows but there are times when I cannot even get coffee to go down easily. I know the band is finicky but mine seems to be more so than others. There are times when I can eat bites of a salad and the next day can't get past the first bite.

Wondering if anyone else is having these problems and what they think the issue is? The only think I can attribute it to is stress? I do drink Maalox or Mylanta on a daily basis and that does seem to help.

Stella

[Kristin1031 0]

I agree with Jack..what does your surgeon suggest. This is not a healthy diet. What you describe is an eating disorder in the making. Solid Protein is what you should be eating and it is what keeps us fuller longer.

I was told to stay away from Soups and soft foods that would flow through my band. Simply because they defeat the purpose of the band. I am following this advice and it works wonders for me, as I have had no FILL and am not hungry. 14 weeks out and I feel great. I am able to eat meat and other foods without much problem as long as I chew them very very well.

I would think they would want to find out why you cannot eat.

[stella 0]

Jack

I've been back several times and when they give me the fluro it always looks good. Problem is now I dont have a passport so can't go back to Mexico. I wasnt sure if my insurance would cover this but I do think I need an upper GI like you suggest. No I haven't had one but someone else told me that's what I should do. I've never been able to eat meat (unless it's very very small and chicken) or eggs, bread or Pasta. Green vegs are a problem as well. i was curious if anyone had any problems like mine as I am unfilled almost 2 yrs out and still having problems. I was able to eat after my surgery and before my 1st fills. But never again after my 1st fill.

Kristin - I would LOVE to eat Protein or any kind of meal for that matter; oatmeal a sandwich., steamed veggies! I just can't doesnt matter how much I chew. I can take 1 bite, but that's it.

Jack - may I ask what were your symptoms and how was it detected?

Thanks for the advice!

[nonad 0]

stella have u reached your goal and are u drinking Protein Drinks for help with the nutrition. i use Unjury, choc is good, mix with van soy milk or Water. this would at least get u some Protein in while u are trying to figure out what the problem is. do u drink warm liquids before your meals? i found that this has helped me a lot. i have mucous in my pouch and if i dont flush it down with warm liquids then i have no room in my pouch for food. i had my surgery done by Ortiz also and some of the things he suggest have not worked for me. i live in TX so i go to Acuna, Mexico for my fills(my cheaper). I do think u need to go see a gastroenterologist for your problems though. it could be nothing but u never know. hope everything works out soon for u.

[stella 0]

Nonad,

Yes I'm below my goal now :tt2:

I did buy some Protein drinks (isopure) and am drinking Greens to GO and Naked juices. For whatever reason, warm liquid is not working for me right now. I have to ice my coffee to drink it. The food when I can eat it just seems to sit there and I have to end up pb'ing to get rid of it. I am definately going to see my Primary doctor! It is starting to scare me. Thanks for your advice!

[socalgal3 4]

Stella-

I would definitely get an upper GI. I was banded at the same time as you by Dr. Ortiz. I think he just put our bands on very snug or very high up to where fills are too much. I am currently unfilled as well after many problems with tightness. I am able to eat real food though. Are you still PBing or getting stuck? Have you tried liquids ONLY for 3 days? Does that make a difference? How much coffee are you drinking? I have it now and then, but I have to avoid it for the most part, as it is too acidic and irritates my stoma. Try to avoid anything spicy and/or acidic like orange juice, etc. There was a lady on here who used to recommend aloe vera juice. That helped soothe my irritation sometimes. I'm sorry you are having these problems. Keep us posted!

[stella 0]

Socal,

I recognize you from the June Bandster group! Yes I am PB'ing almost daily. I have not tried the 3 day liquids (forgot about that) but I will now. I drink coffee everyday if I can but will also cut back on that. I'll try the aloe vera juice as well. That's interesting that you are too tight with a fill too! Did Dr Ortiz tell you that it was too high or just something you've figured out from his other patients? Do you go to Mexico for your fills? I'm making an appt next week with my Primary so I should be able to find out what's going on. Thanks for your reply!

[marys 2]

Stella,

Please call OCC immediately and one of the docs will take your call - I just spoke directly to Ortiz and martinez within the last week - they are extremely responsive. I don't think Ortiz does the endoscope anymore but the flouro doesn't show if your band has eroded. Something is not right and you need to be agressive to find out what it is. Best of luck - please don't wait.

mary

[antivicky 0]

I am almost the same way. I have had an unfill and I am still very tight. I am curious to see what the Doctors tell you. I also had my band in Mexico. I completely dehydrated a few weeks ago and had to go to the emergency room for fluids. However they could not unfill and no Doctors on call could. They will not touch you unless they carry bariatric insurance and nobody on call did. So I suffered until I could get to my fill doc to get an unfill. I could not even swallow my saliva... thought I was going to die!!!!!!!!!

[socalgal3 4]

If you are PBing almost daily, you are almost certainly swollen and irritated inside. 3 days of liquids should ease that. Even if you just drop the coffee for a few days, it should help the irritation subside. I do go to Mexico for my fills because I live in the San Diego area and I have a passport. I just assume my band is tight, because I have never had a fill more than a few months. First I had 1.2cc, then unfilled, then a slip, then 1cc, unfill, .6cc, unfill. The fill doc(new guy-not Romero-don't know his name yet!) said next time they will try .5cc. I do have restriction unfilled, but a slight fill really helps decrease my hunger. I still recommend the upper GI as that will help rule out erosion. I had an endoscopy in Mexico last year at the time of my slip to rule out erosion. It wasn't done at Dr. O's office. His mom drove me to some other doc in Tijuana and I paid $250. They recommend an endoscopy once a year, so this year I am going to my regular doc in the USA. I hope all is well with you soon! I'm glad you are at goal, but it isn't worth risking your health being too tight!

[GayleTX 1]

SOCALGAL......what are the symptoms of a slipped band? And how do they determine if that is the problem? :thumbdown:

I had a complete unfill about 6 wks ago (had just gone in for routine fill and dr said my pouch was dilated, needed to rest, emptied my band)......but it feels like it has more restriction now, even after 3 weeks of liquids and 3 wks of normal foods, than it did before. I even PB'd last wk. and I haven't done that in a year (since I learned to eat right!).

I go back next week but I'm concerned there is a problem of some sort - slipped band? Any other ideas?

TIA!!

[ndbeekeeper 0]

Wow...this is me!! I too was banded June 06 and am also below goal because of being unable to eat. Live on mashed potatoes n milk! Then there are days that wont work either. Throw up even liquids alot. Im gonna go have a complete unfill..I only have.3ccs right now, but still unable to eat. I dont really puke though...just lean over the toilet and it all just comes out. I am sick and tired of feelling sick and tired. Yeah..Im skinny now..but my hair is falling out and looks like straw and Im pale and look sick...basically like a bulimic which is what the band made me. Would I do it again...HELL YEAH!!!

[stella 0]

ndbee -

I know isnt that terrible, I would do it all again as well! I've got an appt with a Gatro doctor on 3-11 to see if my esphogas (SP) is swollen or what. I hope it's just this band being finnicky and if so will learn to live with it. But it's almost a constant concern that is only relieved when I see the doctor. I hate the lack of Vitamins thought as my hair and nails are in bad shape. I did start drinking greens to go which I hope will help and Isopure for Protein.< /p>