Complete Unfill--Struggling

[teachermommy832 0]

Hi Everyone,

The last month hasn't been a cakewalk to say the least. When I got my first fill in July, my dr put in 3 cc. The first few days were cool, and I lost another 7 pounds. Unfortunately, things went south from that point. I began to have daily stuck episodes, particularly with my first meal of the day. It got so bad that even Soups with noodles or vegetables got stuck. Two weeks ago, I went in for what was supposed to be my 2nd fill, by they wound up taking out 0.3 cc plus air after I described my symptoms. Apparently, daily stuck episodes aren't normal. They had me to come back in two weeks which was this past Thursday (Aug. 27). I'd had no change in the stuck episodes, and no weight loss. He did a complete unfill this time. Doc thinks that my esophagus is spasming, which could cause the stuck episodes. When I got on the scale this morning, I'd actually gained 2 pounds. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? I don't want to undo my progress, but I'd like to eat without being in excruciating pain!! Losing more weight would be great too, especially since I'm nearly three months into this journey!!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Ok first the caveats: I am not a pro, just a person! Not a surgeon. I AM a newly graduated nurse BUT I'm not posting this because I am a medical expert, ok? Just a fellow bander who's going to share what I know from reading, google, my surgeon, and my experience. None of this replaces what your doc tells you. :wub:

Firstly; are you getting AT LEAST 64 ounces of Water each day? I don't mean tea or coffee (even decaf) or crystal light but Water? Are you on any medications that would require you to have more water (like allopurinol for high uric acid, for example) One thing I have learned is this: if you aren't overfilled, a tight band happens in a dry person. Dehydrated=tight. This ties in with your problems starting in the AM. Most people aren't well hydrated and if you wake up, drink a little coffee and then try to eat, BAM! too tight.

IF you aren't drinking 64 ounces of water each day, DO IT. I drink 4 16oz bottles spaced several hours apart. Some sip all day long. Do 8 oz an hour, whatever works for you, but get it in.

Secondly: how large is your band? 3ccs in a 10cc band is pretty aggressive for a first fill and aggressive fills have been linked to esophageal spasms. (I'm not dissing your surgeon; again I'm not a pro. Many people get fills that much, or more, and are happy as clams because they lose and don't have your issues. I'm just saying that it could be what caused them). Once unfilled, as you are, can you eat ok?

Thirdly: PB'ing often causes swelling. If you eat/PB and then eat again without giving your stomach and esophagus time to settle down, then the next time you try you'll be even tighter. You might have exacerbated your problem unintentionally by trying to eat again too soon.

IF I were you, I'd start over. I'd review the "rules" of small bites, well chewed, eat slowly, over 30 minutes (that last one is my doc's rule...he says no eating beyond 30 or you're grazing). DO THIS NOW even if you can wolf down a cheeseburger. PRACTICE!!!

THEN once you feel like you are following the rules, getting the water in, and your doc agrees, get a fill, but a SMALLER one. Get 1.5 ccs. See how you do. Give it 3 weeks or more (because some people need 2 weeks for a fill to even be perceived, odd but true). If that works, get another cc. CREEP UP ON IT! Always practice the small bites, well chewed, eat slow, no drinking during or after meals (per your docs order) and see if you can ease back into it.

I have found that if I PB then I am tense and tense=tight, so mastering the eating habits while still open will give you a weapon to fight that. You'll know, once you start getting filled, that you CAN do it; you know how to eat properly, etc.

It does become 2nd nature but not as fast as you'd think. I can get distracted by conversation or an interruption (and God forbid I let myself get too hungry before eating!) and then can get into "trouble" but if I chew well (I counted once; it's 40 times for me. way more than I thought it would take! of course it depends on what I'm eating but 40 is a good number for beef and poultry) and watch my bite size (for me it's about 1/2 to 2/3 of my old norm. cut stuff up, then cut it AGAIN. Do it before you sit down to eat so you won't have to think about it) then I can eat anything.

I hope some of this helps. Hydrate, follow the rules, ease back into fills, and I hope you'll be on the road again!

[teachermommy832 0]

Hey Restless,

Thanks so much for your advice. Unfortunately I had two bad vomiting episodes this week. That really scared me because even with the problems, I hadn't vomited since the night of the surgery. I went straight to the hospital from the clinic after getting sick at work. They did an upper GI study, and nothing had slipped, so that was a huge relief. My doc is still at a loss as to why I started throwing up AFTER the unfill, so I'm on liquids for 7 days.

I took your advice, especially on the Water intake and chewing, but the only thing I can get down easily is Soup and liquids. I'm really beginning to wonder if I'll ever eat normal food again. If you have anything else to share, I'd appreciate it.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Sorry! Nada! BUT you are smart, going to the ER, having your surgeon involved. Hopefully it's just something odd that will resolve as you do the liquids and things settle down. And YAY the band isn't slipped! :tongue2:

So hang in there and I'll cross my fingers for you!