Is it the flu or is it my band?

[MaireCA 0]

My stomach has been increasingly more sensitive. At first I was experiencing increased restriction where I couldn't even drink Water or hot tea in the AM without problems, but could eat in the afternoon. (Note my earlier post).

Over the weekend, I thought I would go on clear liquid to soothe my stomach in case it was swollen. I tried Isopure, Vitamin Water, and watered-down Protein shake, but felt nausea after sipping each of them. Beef broth was okay. Overall, my stomach feels awful.

Has this happened to anyone? I thought this may be the flu, but I have no other flu-type symptoms.

I will call the doctor tomorrow, but was looking for some insight in the meantime...

Maire

Banded 4/11/08

lost 20 lbs

[*JASMINE* 1]

Hi MaireCA,

Were you able to get a hold of your doctor? How did that go? It could be a bout of Gastritis. I feel nauseous whenever I have it. How are you feeling now?

[Kat817 19]

If you do not have any other symptoms....headache, diarrhea, fever, stuffy head.....something else to indicate illness, then I would definitely contact my band Dr.

Good Luck!

Kat

[sherriberry 0]

I have a question, I had a fill today, they put 5cc's in a 10cc band, I left and I could not drink my coffee which is not a good thing. I went right back and he took half out, I could feel the pressure being released it was great. I have had an acidy stomach ever since, I cannot eat and it hurts in my back. Just wondering if anyone out there has any thoughts on this.

[Kat817 19]

Hi Sherriberry---give your stomach a chance to settle down. Maybe some liquid antacids. When your band is too tight, it does, or can cause excess acid. The body sees it as being overfull with food, and releases extra acid to help in digesting the large amount it thinks you have. Which in your case is actually nothing, so now you have lots of acid and not lots of anything else!!

Try some heavy liquids to help absorb---cream Soup, something like that, but I would avoid eating until tomorrow, let your stomach relax before you put it to work again, or you might risk some swelling, and you will feel like you are still too full, when that might not really be the case.

This is pretty much just what my fill Dr. told me when I began having some reflux issues---he thought I might be too full, so he explained it this way to me.

Hope you feel better soon!

Kat

[sherriberry 0]

Thank you so much for the information that is exactly what is happening, I am just sipping Water and hopefully tommorow will be a better day.

Cheers,

Sherri

[MaireCA 0]

I appreciate the replies. It turns out it was definitely the band. I had an unfill earlier this week and what a difference it made! Almost immediately, I felt fine. I was able to drink the very same stuff that made me puke earlier. My doctor indicated that allergies or hormonal differences can also cause a temporary restriction. However, since my restriction was so bad, I had an unfill rather than try to wait it out any longer.

[*JASMINE* 1]

I'm glad you are feeling better now. How much of an unfill did you have? And how many CCs are left in your band? I recently had an unfill of 2cc. I went from 9.5 to 7.5. I think I'm going to have to get another unfill, as I've been feeling a lot tighter lately. I'm thinking of having a total unfill this time.

[MaireCA 0]

I have a 4cc band and was at 2.5cc when I had the unfill. At first he took out .4 cc but then I went back a couple days later and added .2cc. So I am now at 2.3cc and it feels just about right. I have a good restriction with a good full feeling after a few ounces of food. No problems with liquids and no more choking on food. I am really glad I did the unfill.

A complete unfill may be too drastic unless you have some complications. Perhaps, another slight unfill will make all the difference. Did you talk to your doctor about it?

[*JASMINE* 1]

I'm going to make an appointment if I don't loosen up in a couple of days. My last unfill was in March, I think. They had to place 5cc during surgery because the band was too big, so maybe I'll just go back down to 5cc.