Cocoabean

So, I've been getting stuck quite a bit lately. I have an Upper GI scheduled for next week and am probably going to have a tiny bit of fill removed after that. I urped my lunch yesterday. When I got home from work I found a newly invented "Lap Band Assistive Device" from my DH. See attached photo! It is labeled "DJ Lap Band Assist Device" ---DJ is me. What a goof he is!

What waitingpatiently said. Welcome! This is a great place for info or support!

Go be seen. If not your surgeon, at least your primary care doc. My PCP will refer me to my surgeon if he things something might be band related.

A seat cover set into the Water will prevent splash back. But watch out for auto flush!! I had a complete face washing at a restaurant once. Hubby knew I was stuck when I got up from the table. I sat back down..."why did you wash your entire face.....?" Don't ask....don't even ask.....

You are NOT bulimic because you are not throwing up to control your intake. Has your doctor done any testing on your bad, like an Upper GI to check your restriction level?

If what you describe were happening to me, I'd want to be a bit looser. But as someone said, only you can decide. Are you satisfied with that amount of food? Eating should not be painful.

Hi Christine and welcome! Have you eaten anything to be going through your bowels yet? (probably not, Clear liquids...) Are you hearing gurgling noises? (should be a yes) Do you feel constipated? (might be a yes from the narcotics) I didn't "go" for several days, either. Being on clears for many days meant there was not much to turn into solid for elimination. Coming off the pain meds should help. Your post-op instructions may have some info for constipation. If it says you can use over the counter stuff, my favorite is Milk of Magnesia. Go lightly though. Because once I started going again, things exploded and I had diarrhea for a while. So unless you are very uncomfortable, I'd not to the M-o-M.

Oh, and what you describe sounds more like possibly needing a tiny bit of the fill removed. Dilation takes a long time to develop. A slip so soon after surgery? Could happen, but the fact that your trouble started after a fill.....look for horses, not zebras.....but stay in contact with your surgeon and don't be afraid to call if you cannot get anything down, especially water. Even though it is a holiday weekend, call the office line, you'll get the answering service who can get to the surgeon on call.

A few thoughts come to my mind. Are you able to get liquids down? That is the first question. If yes, the ok. If no, call NOW. Keep your fill appointment, discuss with your surgeon what is going on. You might need a slight unfill. You may have some swelling from the fill that keeps getting irritated with each slime episode, as food is getting stuck to cause it. Consider going on liquids for a day or two to see if things calm down, and then go to mushies, then solids. As Mis said, there is a learning curve after every fill. What you can tolerate changes each time. If things don't calm down after a day or so of liquids, call and get a slight unfil. Some people cannot handle "larger" fills. Many of is get them at .5 or .25 intervals because we get too much swelling after a fill. I had a slight unfill once, was able to go back a month later and have the amount removed plus some put back. So even if you need a bit removed, it does not mean you are at the max you can tolerate. Feel better soon!!

Sense of humor is oh so very important!! Hubby says they are for sale and he will personalize each!! I carry one of those poop bag rolls from the pet store in my purse. It is in a cute little duffle bag. Our dog goes places with us often, so it's nice to never forget them, and I get the added benefit of always having a bag with me for "just in case." Haven't used them for that, but the insurance is nice.

I got into bed just fine the first night..then I got stuck there when the pain meds wore off, and I could not sit up! Hubby had to help me to sit up and take more meds. After the first night I could manage on my own by rolling over onto my side, swinging my feet over first then pushing with my hands to sit up. Same thing happened to me in a recliner after I had my appendix out. My sis left me comfy and happy fully reclined while she went to get groceries. I woke from a nap, she wasn't home, and I did not have the abdominal umpff to sit upright with her dog resting with me. Guess I am just a wimp. But if you live alone, something to consider before you lay down. Now, no worries. Side and back sleeper here.

Have you spoken with your doctor about revising to another procedure? Your body may be better suited for bypass or sleeve. Learn all you can about them before making any decisions. It can often be done during one operation, keeping costs down.

Welcome to being banded! congratulations.

If something feels wrong, call your surgeon. Especially if you cannot get water down.

Some people feel tighter after flying. Some not. I feel tighter just from the stress of travel, no matter the mode. I take Protein Shake mix powder with me on airplanes.The liquid can be a problem with TSA rules. I bring an empty Water bottle through security then fill it up at a fountain after. Much cheaper than buying a bottle after. I also take Protein Bars, as often times airport food is so-so for band diets. I've been through the full body scan with no problem. Remember to stay well hydrated. A bit of dehydration can make a band feel tighter. Alcohol..I have it from time to time. Remember, it might reduce your resolve to eat right. I often get stuck if I am a bit tipsy because I forget to chew well and take small bites. Also take calories into consideration. You are newly banded, so follow your post-op rules.

I think a lot of folks wear Spanx and the like. I don't think 8 weeks post would be any problem. If it makes you feel better about yourself, do it!

Chewing slowly will happen after you've gotten stuck a time or two. Aversion therapy truly works! Taking a few sips while you eat isn't going to hurt anything. The thing you don't want to happen is putting so much liquid into your pouch that you aid your stomach in emulsifying the food so that it empties quickly. However, with a band, the food empties pretty fast anyway, as our pouches grind. My surgeon doesn't have a problem with me having a bit of liquid with a meal. He did say that I might not have room for it, and once I got to good restriction was he ever right! If I drink with a meal now, it is likely to cause me to get stuck and urp. So, even if I have a glass of something sitting there, I tend to avoid it due to the countless times that I have taken a drink only to immediately regret the decision. About 10 minutes after a meal I can tell that my pouch has cleared and I can safely sip something without tragic consequence.

Allergan's AP Standard (APS) band is their 10CC band. The AP Large (APL) is 14CC. I believe they are the only two bands that Allergan manufactures these days. Some of their 4CC bands are still being placed in countries other than the US.

My surgeon orders them with food. Tis lovely to dunk a sandwich in the stuff and chew it! Oh yeah...major YUM!!! NOT! But he can see exactly what my pouch and restriction are doing, and if there is any reflux going on.

Conversing while eating is a rough one! We get in a hurry to make a point, swallow, and UGH! It is very important to finish cewing before speaking.

My take on it, I'd postpone. Only because if you end up too tight (rare for a first fill, but can happen) you'll need to get it addressed right away. It's only a few days. Why risk it if you absolutely cannot miss work? I postponed my first fill for a month due to a cruise. I could have had it before, but would have only had about a week and a half before we left for it to settle in. I didn't want to be out of the country in the middle of the ocean with a band problem.

Glad you are getting your band checked. Is it from post nasal drip? Allergies can make bands feel tighter. If it isn't from your sinuses, it could be from reflux from your stomach, that can cause a cough.

Negative reinforcement is an amazing teacher. If you don't slow down, chew well, and take small bites, you band will tell you that you MUST. After a few stuck episodes, the pain will make it clear to you that you just cannot eat like you used to. In days past, I was always the first one done eating, now I am the last. I don't even think about my pace these days. It just is. If you insist on eating fast or taking huge bites you will be getting stuck every meal after your band is tightened up significantly.