Am I Too Tight?

[shc727 0]

I am at a loss -- I've been struggling for several months. In September I got a fill to 6.2 in a 10cc band. I was TOO tight! Choking on my own saliva tight! Went back the next day for an unfill - to 6.0. While I was there I thought I might still be a little too tight but thought it would loosen up. Well for that past several months I've lost no weight and it seems eating is a struggle from the first bite. I've made several appts for a fill..but end of canceling them because I don't really think that is the issue. Now I'm wondering if I'm too tight. I wouldn't think I was because I'm not losing any weight...but I'm not eating right either. From the first bite at meals I feel it in the back of my throat...but I manage to eat some. But before long I am hungry an so I snack almost constantly on easy crunchy foods. Has anyone had a similar issue and what was your outcome? I have an appointment today for a fill -- but last night I had the WORST stuck episode I've had since my banding. So I almost cancelled today, but I've decided I've got to go in and figure out if I need a little fill or a little unfill.

Advice/Suggestions?!?!! TIA!

[Brockbabe82 0]

I am not really sure of what kind of advice to give you here except that you definitely need to let your doctor know today what is going on. He may be able to help you fix this problem. Being sick like that for months and months is not good and you want to make sure that there is not more going on then whats on the surface.

Good luck to you hun, sending good vibes your way for a quick fix.:biggrin:

[kiz 1]

Let your doctor know exactly what you're experiencing and what you are eating to compensate. You seem to be eating around your band...you're eating easy foods that can slide through the band, and you're getting hungry quickly. The band is designed to hold food in your pouch long enough that your nerve sensors at the top of your stomach signal your brain that you have had enough to eat. From your description, I would guess that you are too tight.

[shc727 0]

I have talked to my dr's office on several occasions and their suggestion has been a little fill...but have not talked directly to my dr...that is what I plan on doing today. I just think a little fill would put right back at that horrible place I was a few months ago before my unfill!

Thanks for all your support!

[kiz 1]

One of the signs of being too restricted is if you can't progress past mushy foods by two weeks after a fill. It sounds like you're saying you can't tolerate solid Protein foods. If that's the case, getting a fill is only going to worsen the situation (imo). I'm glad you're going to talk directly to your doctor today. I hope you get everything sorted out.

How do I know if the fill was too much ?

permalink

Being too restricted can lead to gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) which begins as “heartburn”. If left to continue, this can lead to esophageal erosion and even cancer. You will NOT lose weight faster if you are so restricted that you can only eat liquids and soft foods. Symptoms that persist for a week should be evaluated by an MD. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Not being able to tolerate solid foods
  
• The feeling of food “coming back up” and then you swallow it back down
  
• The feeling of food “coming back up” that forces you to run for a bathroom to spit it out or vomit
  
• A burning feeling in the lower throat/upper chest area
  
• Not being able to lie flat a few hours after eating because food/fluid comes back up causing you to cough/choke
  
• A persistent cough after eating
  
• There are MANY others but the point is you got the band to have a better quality of life so you don’t want the band to be a cause of threatening your health. Call your MD for an unfill if you need to and get to an emergency room STAT if you can't swallow your own saliva
  

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f219/how-do-i-know-if-fill-too-much-58239/

Edited February 12, 2009 by kiz

[shc727 0]

Thanks! I do believe that's it!! I don't have any reflux, but that could come. I'm going to print this off and take it with me...I'm making notes for my appt so I don't forget anything!

[kiz 1]

You're very welcome. Let us know what you and your doctor decide today.

[shc727 0]

Well - here's just a brief recap - my last fill was to 6.4 and I was TOO tight, I went in for an unfil and he took me down to 5.0 (I had NO idea he took out that much)... yesterday he filled me back to 6.0 and it seems to be fine. I've only had liquids so I'm not sure of restriction yet. I wasn't really pleased with the guidance I received. But I will try this...get back to LapBand 101 and see if it works.

[kiz 1]

Good luck. I hope this fill works out better for you.