Cocoabean

These could be the study in question: http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/20835896 http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21912383 http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21136303 The conclusion of the 3rd: CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss, satiety, and early satiation following LAGB were associated with briefly delayed bolus transit into the infraband stomach. Retention of the semisolid meal above the LAGB was not observed. This is further evidence that suggests satiety develops following LAGB without physical restriction of meal size.

I agree. You don't need a fill if you are losing, and you are not struggling to "diet" and starving while doing it. I am sitting here with the food backed up feeling. The thought of a fill? No way. I think we all get excited to get that first fill, but really, until you need it? You don't need it. That make sense? To stop the food in the throat feeling... take smaller bites, chew very well, pause between bites, and stop eating at the first tiny signal you are satisfied. NOT full. Just now I pushed beyond satisfied because it tasted good, and it seemed like I had such a little bit on my plate. I did however stop when I felt some discomfort telling me I was being stupid. 5 minutes later all is well. Had I kept eating, it would have led to a stuck episode and vomiting. Congrats on your loss so far!

I hate when that happens!! :-)

How are elcee's statement reckless?

From my personal experience: I had an Upper GI and esophogram with food last September ordered by my surgeon. I got the watch the entire process of the food going down my esophagus, into the pouch, then into the larger stomach. It really did only take a minute or two for the food to clear the pouch. When instructed to take a larger bite and not chew so well, I experienced some reflux into my esophagus from the pouch that I could feel, and we could also see. Then we watched that food leave the pouch. My opinions and ponderings: I agree that the food empties rather quickly. If some is stuck above/in the stoma, that is what comes up undigested. For me, that is usually not a large amount, just a few bites. I don't understand why "they" haven't figured out how long it takes for a banded pouch to empty. A few Upper GIs with food and they are done. Why is it such a mystery? They pouch of a banded person grinds and has paristaltic action. A bypass patient does not. Bypassers depend on gravity to move food to the lower stomach. We don't. I am having another barium sandwich on Wednesday. Should be interesting to see if the results are similar to the last one.

Are you able to get liquids down most of the time? If you are drinking and spitting up like a baby, try smaller sips and wait in between to let it go down. If you are having trouble getting these Clear Liquids to go down and stay down, call your ASAP. If you are not wanting to drink because you are afraid you will throw up, CALL. Use the pain meds if you need them. Stay on top of the pain. You need to stay hydrated. That is #1 importance right now.

The band doesn't really remind you, until it gives you negative information. I am unaware of my band when all is going well. If I am chewing well and taking small bites, I do not get any feedback from my band. When I take a bite that is too big and don't chew it well, THAT is when I am reminded I have a band. After over 4 years living with my band, I do generally eat slower, take smaller bites, and chew better. But there are times when old habits die hard...all it takes is one slight oops.... When I was newly banded, I would pause before each mean and remind myself to chew, chew, chew, and take little tiny bites. It helped, but I'd still get stuck from time-to-time.

I could have chicken when I went on solids. After a few fills, white meat chicken was off my menu. I can still eat dark meat.

Yes!! I get to do it again on Wed. Last time it was bologna. Deciding what to take this time. Ugh.

I do ok with grape tomatoes, cherry ones can be too large. If I cut them in half they are ok. Many foods are trial and error for us. And what went down yesterday will not go down today. Gotta love banded life!

Hello and welcome. I have heard of bands being placed too high. Very sorry for your troubles. At this point in my WLS life, I would not hesitate to revise to another procedure were it warranted. I know that without some surgical intervention the weight would come right back on and I'd be back on the road to diabetes. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol before surgery. I am sure those would be back as well. Is it possible to reposition your band to where it needs to be, or is it too late for that due to the damage done? I wish you all the best with this difficult decision. Feel better soon!

Grocery bags have holes in them. I bring dog poo bags. They come in a roll at the pet store. You can get a dispenser for them. The ends tie off and they are scented.

Walk walk walk. A heating pad was a lifesaver for me. Also, many say gas-x strips can help dissipate it, even though they just go through the digestive tract, they CAN help with the gas in your chest. I did laps up and down my hallway. Walking really is the best thing to get the gas moving out.

I ate them the first year, then they started getting stuck..so they are on my bye-bye list.

It isn't just the car ride, it is the entire orientation, too. I imagine there will be quite a bit of walking invoilved? I would not have been able to handle it, bit I am a big wimp. I also caught a cold around the time I was at the hospital. Day 3 is when the sore throat set in and symptoms started really brewing. The days following were not fun for me. There are many bandsters who have their surgery on a Thursday or Friday and return to work on Monday. So it is really hard to say how YOU will react.

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.