Please help, not sure if it's too tight!!

[angiecharmed 0]

I just had my 4th fill and I can drink Water but can't guzzle it like I'm used to. When I take small sips of water it still takes 20 minutes to go down. But I was able to take my medication (small pills). I don't think I will be able to eat any solid food unless I chew it verrry good. And my throat feels like it has a lump in it. Does anyone else have these symptons, is it normal?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Call your doc tomorrow, tell them your symptoms, see what they say.

[SuzanneG 1]

Sounds like you might be too tight. However, you should never be able to guzzle liquid, that is a pre-band habit that you have to break. It was really hard for me.

If you can drink your protien shake just fine, then give it a couple of days. My doc says liquid diet for 2 days, mushies for 2 days, then back to regular food. If you can do that, you're OK.

[jmichele251 0]

i think you are too tight...I got my 3rd one monday and yesterday i had to get some took out since i couldnt eat without being sick....

[Enchanted 2]

Difficulty swallowing is one of the symptoms of being too tight. However, if you've just had the fill, you might wait a day to see if the swelling goes down a bit and leaves you in a happier place. Of course, if you're throwing up or having night coughs, you'll want to call your doc right away.

xoxo

[Austindoll 0]

I am going through the same thing. I had my first fill and feel exactly like you. From what I understand though, this is how it's SUPPOSED to work. I used to be able to chug my drinks all day....not now. It's a behavior thing I'll definitely have to work really hard at getting used to.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Austindoll while you wouldn't want to chug your drinks, liquid should go through the band evenly and quickly. I can drink probably 4-6 ounces of Water pretty fast....and no issues or bad aftereffects. I think most bandsters who aren't too tight can drink fine, especially if it's in the afternoon/evening. A "small sip" of water should NOT take 20 minutes to go down. Something's very wrong in a situation like that; either swelling or too much saline in the band.

[dpingl 0]

I was banded in 2006 and had not had a fill for 9 months. Knee injury, not much walking and starting gaining some of the 45#'s I had lost back. :tongue2:(I started at 247 and I usually try to stay around 200.) Not great success but enough to wear normal clothes and be able to exercise consistantly and be off BP meds! (So I am happy!) So I went in for a FILL, OMG I could not get anything down yesterday, just a little liquid, today I am able to sip Water and fruit juice. I am working on some chicken Soup right now. Hopefully no trip to the bathroom! YIKES, I don't think I have ever been this tight! (However, I am not much to want it very tight.... I like to try to live healthy and just use this as a tool.) I am going to give it 3 or 4 days to see if I can eat solids at that time. If not, call the Dr. I may get down below 200 for a change and just have to suffer for a bit!!!

[libby58 0]

I got over-adjusted on my last fill and my doc said he did it on purpose to see if I'd start losing weight again (I had gained), and I've been spitting up and have awful acid reflux---so now they want me to come back and get a bit removed from band. I'm also now on Prevacid twice a day to control the reflux. I'm doing best on liquids so stay on Slim Fast pretty much. Anyone else have similar experience?

Edited August 15, 2009 by libby58

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I've NEVER heard of a doc intentionally overfilling a person. It's unkind at best.

Yes the issues you describe happen to most people who are too tight and the "cure" is an unfill, the sooner the better. The point of the band is NOT to live on liquids.

If I were you I'd probably try to find another surgeon actually. It sounds to me like he "punished" you for not losing.

You need to address the issue promptly or you'll end up with a slip and esophageal erosion (which happens to anyone over time with uncontrolled GERD)

Good luck.

[ucdep99 0]

Just remember the more fills you have the tighter your band is going to be and the smaller the whole will be for your food and liquids to go thru . You are suppose to have liquids for 48hrs after your fill. but you should just sip your drink .

ucdep99

[libby58 0]

You're right, Restless Monkey, He was mad at me for not losing. The fact is he under-adjusted me last summer and I didn't come in and get it corrected due to him not wanting to under-adjust me at the time. Therefore, I gained weight and finally went back 10 mos later with the office mgr talking me into it. They do want to unfill me a bit (per the PA) but I can't get in until probably next week. Already 6 wks has lapsed w/reflux. I do feel the gerd constantly coming up no matter what I eat except Slim Fast.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I would REALLY honestly see if I could find another surgeon. They aren't supposed to "punish you" (he's a surgeon and you are PAYING for the service; he's not your daddy or your mama!!!)

[Lapband LaLa 10]

I am having the same issues. I got my 3rd fill on August 11th and I am now at 6cc. At 5.5cc's I could eat over a cup but not be hungry between meals. Now I can only eat 3-4 bites and it's hard to drink. I am not vomiting or PBing. But it aches. I think I need to call the doc too.

[libby58 0]

Yeh, I would except my office visits they bill for cover my adjustments. So I really don't pay at this time. When that time comes, I will go somewhere else, and closer to home. I've already checked out another place. Thanks for your advise. I'm for sure going to be more assertive.