Need advice before 3:00 CST if possible

[pjd3253 0]

I have my 6 week appointment today and first fill. I have been doing great- no problems until last Thursday night I made some cream of wheat thicker than usual and it got stuck and I had to throw up. Since that time I have had trouble eating, throwing up almost every time I try to eat and I think I can feel my stomach or esophagus being irritated from it = I do not feel well this morning at all - tried to drink a Protein Shake but it felt bad going down as well. My question is: I was so excited about getting my first fill but worried now that with the fill I literally won't be able to eat a thing -will this irritation from being sick the other night heal in a few days? Should I get the fill? And mainly why after 5 1/2 weeks would suddenly cream of wheat not want to go down even if it was a little thicker than usual. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

[Melody2006 1]

I was banded on 7/15/08 and have not yet had a fill. I'm in the same position as you. I got something stuck, had to throw it up and now I feel I'm irritated down there. I figured today I'd go it liquids only and see if that helps. I'm highly curious to the replies this thread gets.

[pjd3253 0]

Were you able to eat normally before? I haven't had any problems - only had a boiled egg get stuck shortly after my surgery - been really happy with the way food has gone down - I just get full faster and don't require as much to get full - then today of all days feel sick - I mean good that I will see the doctor but bad that he may not get an accurate reading of my band since it may be irritated or slipped. Thanks!

[Melody2006 1]

I could eat completely normal before. I even was able to get other foods down after and not throw them up. All night in bed I could tell I was irritated and every time I hiccup I can feel it too. I'm to afraid to call my surgeon.

[HeatherO 7]

Your stomach is already irritated and getting a fill on top of it is not such a good idea. The fill will most likely make it worse. I think you may want to call the office and see if you can reschedule for a week later. If you do go into your appointment and let them know that you have been having a rough time, they will probably also say they will not give you a fill today.

I have been banded for more than six months now. One thing I have learned is that pb's beget more pb's until you let your stomach rest. A day or two of liquids will put you back in good order once again, but if you do not take a break from eating solids to let your tummy rest, the irritation will not go away.

[pjd3253 0]

I will post after I see my doctor this afternoon at 3:00 - it is so frustrating - I have been counting the minutes til my first fill and now this happens.

[Melody2006 1]

I have been banded for more than six months now. One thing I have learned is that pb's beget more pb's until you let your stomach rest. A day or two of liquids will put you back in good order once again, but if you do not take a break from eating solids to let your tummy rest, the irritation will not go away.

I'm glad I'm on the right track about doing liquids only today and maybe tomorrow too. I figured if my band slipped I would have had heartburn/reflux in the middle of the night but I didn't have that.

Please update after you appointment today, pjd3252!

[pjd3253 0]

Why does one episode continue the problem - stomach irritation? I don't think my band has slipped after 6 weeks since I can still sip liquids even though not very pleasant - you would think with as little as I have eaten since last Thursday night weight would be falling off but it isn't - I am surprised at how slow the weight comes off with as little food that goes in. Thanks!

[crazycatlady 0]

Hey HeatherO,

I keep getting stuck, not PB just stuck, but then it goes down after a lot of slimming. Do I need to go to liquids when this happens? If so, I'd always be on liquids I'm afraid. I'm not too restricted since sometimes I can eat a lot of food w/o any problems. Thanks

[pjd3253 0]

Does anyone understand why some days you can eat anything you want and somedays hardly anything - I have yet to get an explanation for this. When I have been to my doctor for my 2 week checkup and now today for my 6 week and first fill it seems like you can't just take up all his time by asking these questions when he has a room full of people waiting to see him and get fills so I get intimidated and get home and then remember all the things I wanted to ask him. That is why this forum is so helpful. Thanks.

[PATCHELTON 0]

None of you should be intimidated about asking questions of your surgeon. If you are afraid you will forget, write them down, and bring out your list when he/she comes in. Don't be afraid to ask! The doctor can't halp you if he/she doesn't know you are having a problem.

I had my first fill at 6 weeks. They make you sit for a while in the waiting room and drink Water. I was burping a bit but that was all, so he let me go. By bedtime even Water was giving me indigestion. They tell you to do liquids for 48 hours after a fill, so I hadn't had any solid food. By the next morning I was miserable, with my chest so tight I almost took myself to the ER. Instead I called the surgeon's office, emailed the nurse educator, and ended up meeting the doctor at the hospital after he was finished with surgery, and got an unfill. I originally got 3ccs, and he took out 1.5 to 2ccs. I could feel the pressure leaving my chest. Tried that for 2 weeks then saw him in the office. I told him I was doing okay with liquids and soft foods, but other stuff was bothering me. He took out another .5cc and I was okay. Sometimes you will get stuck no matter what. I had very little restriction after the second unfill, and had eaten ham steaks before with minimal problem (if I didn't chew thoroughly I would feel tight somewhat, but it would pass). This time I ate one, then some green salad, and then the pressure started. I again seriously contemplated a trip to the ER. Then the sliming began. I wasn't nauseated but when something is stuck for some reason you produce excessive saliva that has only one place to go--up and out. I spent about 2 hours back and forth to the restroom to spit up (I was at work) and then I was okay. And that was with maybe 1cc of restriction, if that. The next time I went in, thinking I needed a fill because I could eat more and was hungrier, the surgeon talked me out of the fill. I was still losing (down 7 lbs from previous visit) and was actually losing so well I was ahead of schedule for the band, RNY, and sleeve. He was okay with my eating more because I still was losing (he even said it would be okay to gain a few--okay with him maybe, not with me!). So I didn't get the fill, and went home to work on identifying my head hunger, and making sure, even though I was eating more,that it was good stuff and not junk. Some people need several fills, others not as much. I never would have predicted my success as I have never lost much more than 20 or 30 lbs in any previous attempt. I am really committed to this, so I stay away from most Snacks (I have Kay's Naturals, Protein chips, kind of like Fritos, and sugar free popsicles if I have an urge for something sweet). The band won't do it alone, nor will the fills. You still have to make good food choices.

I do urge all of you that have experienced being stuck to tell your surgeon, even if it delays your fill. Less problems in the long run. Good luck on your journey.

Edited August 11, 2008 by PATCHELTON

[pjd3253 0]

There is definitely something wrong - I just tried to eat some chicken broth and it came back up and my chest is hurting big-time - I still do not have explanation why I went 5 1/2 weeks with no restriction and no throwing up, etc. and then less than a week before my first fill appt this happens. Why so much restriction all of a sudden? Thanks.

[pjd3253 0]

This is probably very stupid question but I have had a horrible head/chest cold for a week - can hardly breathe, wheezing during the night in my chest, etc. Would this have anything at all to do with the tightness I am feeling in my band or are the two things totally unrelated. Thanks.

[pjd3253 0]

Just got back from my appt- didn't see my doctor just his PA to do the fill - said my band was perfect, port was perfect. Put in 1.5 cc's but took back out .25 because after drinking my Water I was gurgling - she said the reason I was having this tightness problem is because I have a severe chest and head cold and that tightens it up - isn't that strange - after a fill you have to go back to soft liquidy foods again for 2 days like cream of wheat, etc. I feel so much better after seeing my band and port on the fluoroscope - didn't hurt either. She said if I need more to just call and come on back in but probably would want another fill in 2 months or less. Thanks!