2muchfun

FBS? Hmmm? Maybe that's what I have? Although it seems to come near the bottom of my esophogus or top of my stomach? Happens about 60% of the time and especially if I take too large of a bite or chew inadequately. Heartburn, haven't had that yet. But thanks for possibly naming a symptom I have.

For me it's hiccups and maybe a runny nose. I've spoken to folks who get that "full" feeling but for me it never has come. Like some others, if I don't chew and take large bites I can only eat 3 bites and I'm in pain or discomfort till my stomach kicks in and massages that food through the portal.

I really had no pain and went to work the next day but looking back, I was still in shock for a week from the medications, antibiotics, anesthesia. If you can, take a week, you won't regret it. BTW-I work from home so it was easier to take breaks.

KCG, Me too. Banded in November, 5 fills now. My pain started on fill #3 and has increased with each fill. I'd say about 60% of my meals I have some pain or discomfort. It's hard to get used to taking real small bites and chewing a lot. I usually get about 3 bites into a meal and have to stop for 5 minutes while my stomach massages/gyrates the food through the portal. I get the message and eat smaller bites and chew more. I wouldn't call the ER. It sounds normal to me? I think bread with crust is the hardest. Or, dry foods, thick foods like meat. And isn't it odd how after the pain subsides I can eat much easier? Maybe our stomachs secrete enough fluids after that first intake to lube the other food through? Still able to eat too much though. I'm thinking one more fill but it scares the crap out of me that I might find it even harder to pass food and experience more pain. Small fill maybe?

Visit the sister forum at: http://www.rnytalk.com/ It's mostly a bypass forum and this is a lap band forum. Some of the folks over there have probably had both. Good luck.

No worries. It's a long journey and there will be bumps along the way. Just think of how worse it could have been if you had wandered into a Cinnabun?

Mandy, you got it right. I've been looking for the same feeling as Army Girl. What does restriction feel like? Obviously we're all different and eat different foods. I'm about 5 months into this with 5 fills and each fill seems to bring on a tighter feeling of something? It's not what I thought it would be though. Starting with fill #3 I began to have food blockage and now with #5 it's much worse. Seems like 2 of 3 meals I'll have to stop after 2-3 bites and allow my gyrating stomach pouch to force what I've eaten on through. After that I can eat a lot. More than I had hoped for. I'm eating less and very slowly losing weight. But it looks like it's mostly from dieting and exercise. The band seems to have little affect so far. Still hoping that this works for me as I hadn't planned on being on a diet for the rest of my life. I was hoping this band was going to be the tool that helped me to eat less.

So who is your old Doc? Jonell? You should be able to call your doc who put the band in? All the docs I interviewed before my surgery welcomed patient phone calls. Did you move out of state? If you're still in the Denver area you could call on Georgopolous in Thornton. He takes patients on a self pay basis I understand?

Mis73, You're my hero I want what you have. That's how I envisioned this to be. I want that signal to stop eating. I get the same thing as you when I don't chew properly. Hiccups and pain. But that can be after just one bite of food. Dan

Thanks everyone. I guess I listened only to the bandsters who seemed to find success as the best case scenarios from the Doctors and band makers offices speak about. I now know it doesn't work the same for all of us. I think I wanted this band to do it all for me. No more hunger(of any kind) and no more wants. That's not going to happen sadly. I do feel fuller than 6 months ago after a meal. Adorkbl, I followed you and many others on the Kirschenbaum forum back in 08. Did he do your surgery? I've met some of the girls for dinner once and it's a great group. Dan

I called my Dr.s office the first time and they said it's OK within reason. I wouldn't eat a Chipotle burrito just before you go in but something normal 4 hours before should be fine.

I was banded 11/28/11 and I've had 5 fills(14 cc band w/10.5 cc now). food gets stuck easily starting 3 fills ago and have progressively become worse so I know I'm getting restriction. My problem is that I don't seem to ever get full if I eat soft foods and chew well. Oh, if I eat and don't chew well or I swallow too big a bite it gets stuck and then I go through the pain of having my pouch massage(more like gyrate) the bolus painfully through the band. Now that's a full feeling and I can't eat anything till it passes but OMG, that can't be the full feeling that most bandsters feel? Ouch! I had this image in my mind that at some point in time I would feel full after eating a cup or two but that isn't the case. I can't eat as much as before or I don't want to, but I keep looking for that feeling of fullness to take over. I've lost 6 lbs in the last 5 weeks but that's mostly from dieting and heavy exercise. I want that full feeling after just a cup so that I'm eating less. I don't believe my band is the tool I had hoped it would be?

My Mom only saw me once or twice a year. We lived far apart and she never traveled. When she would see me she'd say, Danny, you're getting fat. I remember it hurt my feelings since sometimes I had just lost 20-30 lbs. She's passed on now and I'd give anything to hear her tell me how fat I am again.

I'm 4 months out and finally got a little restriction after my 4th fill two weeks ago. #5 is next week.

Egg drop soup. Make it from scratch or buy the mix in the asian isle at your grocers. The protein satiates.

You're in bandster hell and it could last a while. I'm now 4 months out and I'm still hungry much of the time. I've had 4 fills and I think it's starting to work but I can still eat too much. X fingers that fill #5 does the trick. Bandster Hell is the time between surgery and when your fill(s) cause enough restriction that you feel full quicker and longer. I'm almost there now. I've heard some people never experience BH and others who have to have many fills before the band performs the way we were told it would. Once you can begin eating solid foods consume Protein as that satiates much more than liquid or pureed does.

North Suburban Hospital on March 21 at 6 pm. Go in main entrance, down the main elevator to the Aspen room just around the corner from the elevator.

What do you consider healthy food? All food is more expensive this last year but healthy food is still quite reasonable. Why did you have fluid removed?

I'm starting to think that this forum/Site should have some kind of disclaimer for bandsters who have just had surgery or are having it soon. Maybe make everyone who wants to read the posts agree that they have read the disclaimer? "WARNING" This tool(band) may not work for many months to come. Everyone reacts differently to the band and most won't feel any restriction for 2-5 fills. I know I too was blown away when after about 2 weeks I wanted to eat a plate of chicken fried steak at Black Eyed Pea(I didn't). Some people tell you to start dieting? Crap, I tried that for years and it didn't work. LOL...But, I'm confident that like many people I've met at support groups that this shall pass and one day I'll get that "fill" that transports me to the "Green Zone". I did lose 12 lbs and have kept it off but I'm still in bandster hell and looking for the exit.

Funny, you went to taco bell. So did I. I gobbled down 2 burritos and felt very full but they went down no problem. I too am in bandster hell right now. Waiting for fill #2 and crossing my fingers I get some restriction with #2.

No worries! You're no different than the vast majority of banders. I got banded about 7 weeks ago and have had one fill and I'm still hungry and feel no restriction. Looking forward to fill #2 on 2/2/12. If you want to lose weight before you get the fill that creates restriction, you'll have to diet. I know that sucks but it's up to you? For me, I'm trying to eat right and exercise. I'm treading water and have lost 12 lbs but I plateaued 3 weeks ago. Someone earlier said that Dr's don't tell you about bandster hell. So true. I really thought I'd be well on my way to losing my first 30 lbs but looks like that will have to weight(pun intended).

Vitamins, supplements etc. Shouldn't be a problem. Tomatoes come in many different disguises. Soup, salsa, Pasta sauce, bloody mary(virigin of course);o) From what I understand, most bandsters find different foods that they can't eat due to blockage and they even say our appetite for foods we once loved and hated may change. I wouldn't know yet, I've only had one fill and I'm not experiencing any restriction yet. But I've been to several support group meetins and read a lot on this forum. I wouldn't be too concerned about not liking veggies though.

How much candy do you eat?

I too have a similar problem. My heartburn seems to come on around 2 am. Doesn't happen all the time but it's annoying and sometimes I just get up, have a drink of water and sleep on the couch. I've only had one fill and so far I feel no restriction and can eat as I did prior to surgery.

I would have preferred to get my first fill sooner myself and after the first fill did nothing I was ready for a 2nd 1 week after the first. But Dr's have their own agenda. If you feel like the current fill you got yesterday is working you can cancel the 2nd fill. No Dr can force you to accept a new fill. You should feel happy that your Dr is willing to add more Fluid or take some out so soon.