LapBand Tightness Fluctuates For No Apparent Reason

Bobalooey · May 30, 2008

To All,

I was banded 3 years ago, have lost over 130 pounds with the last 10 - 20 still remaining to come off due to my own stupidity and milkshakes.

Anyway, I've had 6 - 7 fills (some to remove restriction) and have been at an acceptable "sweet spot" for over a year. I can only drink liquids for Breakfast, Soups & muchies for lunch and more solid food like fish & veggies for dinner.

For the last 3 weeks I've experienced more restriction than ever before for no apparent reason. Just drinking Water brings on that feeling of Constipation in my chest that we all know and love and I get anxious over whether or not I'm going to PB.

My question to you is: have any of you had other factors effect the tightness of the band like stress, heat, humidity, having flown in a plane, etc?

Right now I can ride this out to get the remaining weight off of me but I know I can't go on like this forever.

Any advice or similar experiences you could share would be helpful.

Edited May 30, 2008 by Bobalooey
misspell

HeatherO · May 30, 2008

Stress and cold beverages make a definite difference for me from time to time. I was surprised by how much it could fluctuate.

aubrie · May 30, 2008

stress for sure. riding in an airplane at high altitude, yes. Water retention sometimes.

MrsFlipFlops · May 30, 2008

Allergies. I asked my doctor about unexplained tightness, he said the usual- stress and what not. But he also encouraged me to take allergy meds (given I have really bad ones!) I felt really tight last night and couldn't shake it. I remembered to take a pill and lo and behold- no more! Of course, now my pill is wearing off so I'm starting to feel tight again. Apparentely the mucus builds up and hangs out down there. (ew!)

Bobalooey · May 30, 2008

MrsFlipFlops, you may be right on the allergies or congestion as I've been sneezing with a runny nose for at least 2 of these last 3 weeks. I'll try a Mucinex tonight and try to chase it down with some solid food. Thanks, that was helpful.

juliegeraci · May 30, 2008

This happened to me too. I could only get down liquids. The doctor said that sometimes the stomach lining will thicken around the band and give you more tightness. I had a slight unfill and within 2 weeks I was okay with a better fill level. I would start with a slight unfill. Good luck.

Marimaru · May 30, 2008

stress, weather, air planes, time of month, being sick, etc. All these things affect the level of tightness in my band. I think just about all of it really has to do with Water retention, which makes the tissues thicker.