Too Tight?

VanWest · July 15, 2008

It's been so long since I had my band filled(was empty for my pregnancy) Im not sure if what Im feeling is my "spot" or if Im too tight. Should I feel really full when drinking only a few sips of Water? ? Im able to drink warm Soup , easier then the water. What are the signs of being to tight?

Thanks

Kat225 · July 15, 2008

When was your last fill? It could be that you're swollen still and could losen up. If not you may need a slight unfill because you should be able to eat solids if chewed correctly.

Desdemona · July 15, 2008

I got my second fill last Thurs. My MD used the floroscope becasue they had difficulty finding the port opening. He put in 3 ccs -- making it a total of 7. I have exactly the same situation you are describing so I called yesterday and had a long talk with the nurse. She has a lapband too and their office is located in a teaching hosptial in NY. In addition to having a band she sees tons of bansters. For what it's worth to you -- this is what she said to me. She said--the tightness in and of itself will not cause slippage but if you vomit more than a couple of time because the band was tightened -- that can cause slippage. She told me that some bansters actually WANT the band that tight but most do not. She said that in her personal opinion -- it was too tight because she doesn't think it allows enough nutrition or 64 oz of Fluid. After talking with her a while -- I told her that I agree that it's too tight and I want to allow more food/fluid but since there was no increased danger of slippage and becasue it did seem like it was gradually getting better and I would give it a few days to see if the swelling goes down and the band relaxes on it's own. It has been getting better each day. If I'm still not happy with it in 4-6 days --I'll go back and have a little taken out.

juliegeraci · July 15, 2008

If you are tight to liquids then you are too tight. You should be able to eat solid Protein, all be it, a little without PBing or having issues. I would have .3 or .5 taken out and see how you do.

VanWest · July 15, 2008

I havent tried solids yet, just Water and Soup. I had no issues with the soup, just the water. Im going to try solids in the AM, and if I have to many issues, I will call my MD. Is a day and half enough time for the swelling to go down??

Desdemona · July 16, 2008

I got my 3cc fill last Thurs at noon. I was only able to get in about 3 glasses of Water the first couple of days because it was going through VERY slowly. The liquid was actually harder to get in than mushies--but the mushies were hard to. It CAN take a few days for the swelling to do down. It’s different for different people. I could only do a LITTLE omelet, egg salad, or cottage cheese until today (Tues). Now I’m getting all the liquid, sugar free pops, I need. Tonight I had salmon and Brussels sprouts for dinner with no problem. I do believe it was swelling in my case. It’s tight but a lot better than it was – even from yesterday and I expect it will be even better tomorrow. I’m not getting the uncomfortable/painful fullness feeling in my stoma anymore unless I try to eat too much. I have also lost 3lbs. It looks like – I won’t need to go in to have saline removed.

Frustrated · July 16, 2008

I havent tried solids yet, just Water and Soup. I had no issues with the soup, just the water. Im going to try solids in the AM, and if I have to many issues, I will call my MD. Is a day and half enough time for the swelling to go down??

A day and a half should be okay. Some people take a little longer though. Each fill for me has been a little different. With my last one I discovered that warm/hot liquids would help loosen things up. If I tried to drink something cold it would tighten up and I'd have PB/sliming sessions. Then I'd have to wait for the rest of the day again for the swelling to go down. Remember that PBing can irritate your band and make it swell.

I would see how tomorrow goes. If things settle down, carry on how you are. If you find you still can't get your required fluids in, call your medical staff and ask for their opinion.

VanWest · July 17, 2008

I can't drink anything this AM, PBing it all up and Ive been in pain since yesterday. Just waiting for 9am to call, I can't take this anymore. Ive lost 8lbs in 2 1/2 days. Im so dizzy from not being able to eat. I hope they can see me today, stinks I have to drive 2 hours, but I can't go like this over the weekend.