tight fill

djpfeils · July 2, 2008

I need some words of encouragement. I have not lost much weight, except for the liquid stage after surgery. I had second fill a week ago, and it is too tight. I have been on liquids and soft, and cant eat much at all.

I am trying to work with the tight fill, thinking that it will improve. am I correct in thinking that the tight fill will get better in a few days to a week vs going for an unfill? Of course, I have lost 2# in the last week since I am not eating much.

also, is their really a sweet spot where I can eat most foods without pain or PBing, and still lose weight? I eat very healthy but difficult to maintain good nutrition on a liquid/soft diet.

currently, after my second fill, I get pain after a few bites, and then the painful hiccups start. I can only eat about 1/2 cup of food at a meal. I am taking lots of chewable vitamins to supplement. If I eat more than 1/2 cup, I PB. REassure me!!!

Pnw_Red · July 2, 2008

My surgeon's office would tell you to get an unfill. If you can't eat real food, you're too tight. I know there are people who like to run really tight, but you run a much bigger chance of a slip or other complications if you're so tight you can't get any real food down. If you have to take Vitamins just to get in your basic nutrition, you're too tight.

Yes, ultimately you will loosen up after you lose some weight, but you could cause damage in the interim. Some people report contining to tighten up after a fill for up to two weeks! So you may even get tighter before you get looser.

Based on what I know about how my surgeons office does things, I'd say get an unfill, wait and see how you feel. If you can eat real food, feel satisfied after a bandster-size portion (waiting up to 20 minutes to let your body register) then you're in the right place.

Good luck to you!

juliegeraci · July 2, 2008

1/2 cup food is about right with good restriction however if you are eating mushies and not too many solids Proteins then you are too tight. I wouldn't take too much out though. If your fills are covered under insurance I would start with .02 then maybe .03 for your unfill. It sounds like you are almost there if you can get more solids down. Good luck.

destynee990 · July 2, 2008

Ok I have a different answer for you... I had the SAME trouble.. I was really worried I would need an un-fill.. Liquids were NO trouble I just could NOT eat solids. Mashed potatos and gravy were great..but little else went down I was PBing alot. Well when I went for my "fill" I was sure he would suggest an unfill.. welllll he didnt, My surgeon said that since I wasnt malnurished, if I didnt mind most of my diet would be liquid I was ok. He said that as I continued to lose the tissue around the band would loosen and I would be able to start getting food down. Thats exactly what happend. So I think you should still talk to your doctor if its unbearable. Hope this helps

djpfeils · July 2, 2008

so how long did it take to feel more comfortable? I am 9 days out from my last fill and had pureed chicken and gravy last night with no difficulty and yogurt this am, but tried a few bites of a soft hot dog and chewed well, but it didnt go. thats when I posted here for answers

mediummike · July 2, 2008

some foods will be more difficult than others - hot dogs (with skin) are more difficult for me. some foods are just harder than others. After my third fill, I was really tight for about two weeks, but it has since loosened up a bit...

HeatherO · July 2, 2008

It is really hard to say. If you are very uncomfortable or if it doesnt loosen up in a week or so, get a very slight unfill. You dont have to have much taken out to make a big different.

Just so you know, if you have pb'd much since your fill and did not go on liquids, you may have some swelling that will not go down until you go through the liquid stage. You may also want to revisit eating slooowwww and the chew to goo principles of bandster life. If this does not help a slight unfill may definitely be in order. Good luck.

destynee990 · July 2, 2008

I agree with both of those answers!! it takes me about 2 weeks b4 I can start eating SOME foods.. Hot Dogs are a NO NO for me. And YES YES YES if you PB you need to remember that will make your tummy upset too!! I say give it some time. If it becomes too much for you go see your doctor. Hang in there!! it gets better just be patient! and make sure you DRINK!!!