Considering unfill...suggestions?

[coloradobanding 5]

Hi all,

As a little background, I have felt restriction since surgery. At my first fill I found out I had .6cc in my 10cc band-no biggie. My 1st fill was great and I felt restriction and could still eat the foods I was used to (all healthy) but I stalled in my weight loss a bit. My 2nd fill was April 14th and brought me to 4.5cc in a 10cc band. It felt OK but with a lot more restriction (which I wanted). Well, ever since then I've had "stuck" episodes (not pretty at all) and have had issues eating foods I had no problem with before this fill.

I have been losing, which is great, but it has been a struggle to eat carefully and sacrifice things I'm used to eating (chicken breast, shredded wheat, etc). I've just kept waiting for my band to loosen up but it hasn't.

So here is my dilemma:

I am going to Disney World in FL in 18 days (WOO HOO) and my Dr told me that the band has a tendency to "loosen up" at lower altitudes (I'm at 5280 ft above sea level going to 0) and that I would be able to eat a little more than I'm used to (perfect for my vacation-yes I can splurge a little can't I :thumbup:)

SO, should I go for a slight (maybe .5cc) unfill this week or hope that my band loosens up for my vacation? I'm leaning for a slight unfill. Any thoughts? Thanks for your input!

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

I"ve never personally heard of a doc doing an unfill to enable someone to go on vacation and eat too much... And why would you want to abandon your success so far that way?

If you truly thing you are overfilled, then talk to your doc and see what they think. I was overfilled at one point, but there was no question as I couldn't even swallow my own spit, much less anything else.

[CarlaG 0]

I just had to have an unfill of .5 cc because I could not get anything down at all. It made a world of difference so if you can get stuff down, just feel restriction .5 might be a little much out with it loosening with the lower elevation.

If you are getting stuck a lot and/or having pain when you eat, I say get the unfill. I was uncomfortable when I ate and then it went to not being able to get anything down. I thought the uncomfortable feeling was "normal" for restriction, but it isn't.

I definitely wouldn't want to be out of town and all of a sudden the band is so tight you can't eat at all. That would stink especially while on vacation.

Ask your doctor again about the loosening on its own. You don't want to lose any progress you've made in your weight loss.

Good luck!

[coloradobanding 5]

I"ve never personally heard of a doc doing an unfill to enable someone to go on vacation and eat too much... And why would you want to abandon your success so far that way?

If you truly thing you are overfilled, then talk to your doc and see what they think. I was overfilled at one point, but there was no question as I couldn't even swallow my own spit, much less anything else.

Thanks for the reply Cathy!! Just to be clear, I don't want an unfill due solely to my vacation, but am taking it into consideration now. I have been very restricted since my last fill on 4/14 and it is not getting any better; have been waiting for it too, but it hasn't.

I am going to DisneyWorld and staying @ a resort that has a world class gym, not to mention the fact that I will likely be walking for at least 7-12 miles per day. So I'm really not overly concerned about gaining on this trip.

What I really am concerned with is being as restricted down there, as I am here. I have a heck of a time finding just exactly what I can eat here (changes daily mind you) without throwing it back up. I don't want to be in FL and wondering if what I'm eating, no matter what it is, is going to come back up and I won't have any resources to accommodate that. Does that make sense?

I'd much rather have my band be a little looser and not worry so much about every tiny bite I put in my mouth. I am still going to work out every day on top of the major amount of walking I'm going to be doing, so even the occasional (OK daily) popcorn and juice bar won't affect my waistline. Sorry for rambling, and thanks again for the GREAT advice!!:thumbup:

[coloradobanding 5]

I just had to have an unfill of .5 cc because I could not get anything down at all. It made a world of difference so if you can get stuff down, just feel restriction .5 might be a little much out with it loosening with the lower elevation.

If you are getting stuck a lot and/or having pain when you eat, I say get the unfill. I was uncomfortable when I ate and then it went to not being able to get anything down. I thought the uncomfortable feeling was "normal" for restriction, but it isn't.

This is exactly what I was wondering!! It is VERY uncomfortable and I didn't think that should be the "norm" with proper restriction!!

I definitely wouldn't want to be out of town and all of a sudden the band is so tight you can't eat at all. That would stink especially while on vacation.

That is my main concern as well!! I keep having this horrible vision of me waiting in line @ Space Mountain (contained space) for like EVER and needing to throw up my lunch and not being able to. Or having an innocent snack of popcorn and the band rejecting it..UGH!

Ask your doctor again about the loosening on its own. You don't want to lose any progress you've made in your weight loss.

Good luck!

Thanks so much for the advice, it is appreciated more than you know!!

[Jachut 487]

Well, its up to you. You dont sound OVERfilled, just like its a bit hard getting used to the new level of restriction. But restriction is personal and you dont have to have any more than you are comfortable with.