emjay

It's common to feel a bit down after surgery. Also to feel like "what the h*ll did I do?". You are more than likely going thru a little of missing food of any substance. And whether you used it as a crutch for comfort or stress plays a role also. Recognize it for what it is and don't be too hard on yourself. You'll snap out of it. The liquid diet is really the hardest part of the journey - hands down. Just look forward to the mushies!

Many - welcome to restriction! Completely normal and common.

I personally think some surgeons like to have their patients a little on the tight side to take a bit of the joy of food and eating away. After reading on this forum for the past year and a half it sure sounds like it is a problem time and time again. And I don't understand it. Being too tight does make you revert to foods that go down easily - slider foods. And alot of them aren't very nutritious. If it is too uncomfortable to eat solid food or too much of an effort, you need an unfill - pure and simple. This banded life is NOT about misery. It's about trying to eat less, eat healthier, lose weight exercise and BE healthier. It is not to suck the fun out of everytime you eat - just make you eat less. It is up to you to make wise food choices. If you can't eat appropriately, then something has to change. Get a small unfill and don't be miserable. You're asking for a whole batch of problems by being too tight.

Good luck to you Suzanne. I hope your symptoms go away with the unfill. Like the others said, maybe your stomach needs a break. Let's hope that's all it is. Please keep us posted. Something "unusual" like this makes me very curious. I'm at a loss to give you advice on this one (other than an unfill) on what it could be either. The bodybugg idea is good and also eating like a bandster. Take your time, eat small bites, and portion control. Remember it takes your brain awhile to tell your stomach you've had enough. I hope you do well and the unfill solves your problem.

I drink a protein shake every morning because I was never a breakfast eater. It's not that I'm too tight to eat, just am not particularly hungry in the morning either. So I figure it's a good way to get some protein and nutrition in to start the day. I also mix unflavored with Crystal Light when I want to up my protein. It helps when I am going to eat a late dinner and also is a way to help get my fluid intake in without eating a "snack". It is a personalized journey. Do what works for you. The more you read on this forum, the more you know the band effects everyone differently.

Honestly - I think you are too tight. Some people do have swelling after a fill. I never have noticed it. My fills didn't "kick in" until about 3-4 weeks after my appointment. If all you can "eat" are liquids for 6 days, then you need some nourishment. It is not good to be too tight and risk doing damage to your stomach. Call the doc and have him take out a little until you can drink water easily. It is better to do fills somewhat gradually. 4cc's is alot for a fill! I've never had more than 2 at a time and even then have had to have some backed out. Don't be miserable, or this experience will be miserable for you. You should enjoy your successes. You want the weight to come off permanently and not fall victim to eating slider foods because they are the only things that will do down. Don't equate restriction with the amount of food you can eat either. When I had a slight unfill, it didn't affect my level of restriction at all, just made it more comfortable to eat, no more reflux, and no more frequent pbing or sliming. Good luck to you!

AND - keep a barf bag in the car for emergencies. Learned the hard way!

It isn't surprising that you are finding out alot of people don't know how to react to the changes in you. Some "friends" may feel that your relationship is threatened because some of the similarities that you shared with them will no longer be there, such as being overweight and using food as a comfort, or social factor. Some may feel jealous, or don't know who to react due to their own insecurities. It may be that your change will force them to take a good hard look at themselves that they are not yet willing to do. It's a funny thing to lose alot of weight. The reactions can be very mixed. Some people are supportive or complimentary, or perceive to be, others curious about the procedure, effects, complications, etc. And face it, some just don't know what to say so say nothing. Just try to keep in mind that the reactions are based out of alot of different things - and there is still alot of ignorance out there about how it works. As far as the easy way out comments? Who cares what they think? Let's face it - if it wasn't easier than regular dieting and exercise, why have it done? It is easier to me because it helps control my hunger. After 25 years of struggling to lose and keep the weight off I figured why not get something done that will be easier to help me take it off and keep it off? It is not easy, but it is easier than doing it alone. So I take those comments with a grain of salt. I just say, I tried for 25 years the hard way and it didn't work for me, it was time to get some help in order to be healthy. As for your mother in law - maybe she is a bit jealous, or competitive for the affections of your husband. Whatever her reasons, either blow her off or tell her that her comments are hurtful to you and that you don't understand why she says them. Maybe she doesn't realize that what she is saying is hurtful to you. In other words, try to give her the benefit of the doubt. I have a mother that still gets out food everytime I come to visit. Drives me crazy, but I've got to the point where I realize that is just her way and has always been. I have to make a point to say no thanks and move the food/snack to the other side of the table. Try not to let it get to you. As you change, you may find new interests and people that have similar ones to you. Keep an open mind with your old friends. They are trying to adjust too.

The surgeon who performed my fistulectomy knows it and recommended and knows I'm banded. I've never heard of Metamucil being bad to use. But I'll post on my doc's forum and see what they think. I am always suspect of hearing things like this without any proof to back it up. So I'll get a professional opinion. Thanks for calling it to my attention.

As soon as I read this my throat did the same thing. My fill nurse calls them Chewbacca noises. It's embarrassing when you're talking and then these weird noises come out at the same time. Between that and the band noises sometimes you get some really strange looks!

I think it is very common for the spouse to have doubts and insecurities. As you change and your significant other sees those changes it can present problems if they are not willing to be supportive. I am very lucky. My husband came on board after we discussed it a couple of times prior to surgery and we have helped each other to keep up with the exercising and eating better. We are trying to cope with the changes together and that makes it work. If you feel like it's a battle and are belittled and made to feel guilty because of the positive changes in your life it's only natural for you to drift apart. It's important to reassure your partner that you will still be together through it all and that even though you have changed, your feeling toward the other have not. Am I different? Yes! More assertive (in a good way), happier, I dress differently, am more outgoing, want to do more things in social situations and am enjoying life. My husband is not overly complimentary, but he is there for me and he does notice the attention I've been getting, but is not jealous of it. I think he it makes him puff up a bit actually! I feel for what your going through. Some partners are not supportive and it creates a tremendous strain on the relationship. I wish you the best in the future.

I use Metamucil (pink lemonade flavor) over the others. Benefiber did nothing for me. Also as someone mentioned, you really need to get in enough fluids daily. Plumsmart Light juice helps also. I've tried MOM, but it makes me gag. Also the Metamucil will get thicker the longer it sits, so it's almost like drinking a shake which helps me stay satiated longer. Bonus! 1 glass daily helps for me!

I going to put the blame on the physicians/surgeons in their lack of explaining to people what to expect, and like BetsyB said, people not hearing it. From some high volume practices, they can tend to be more about the number of surgeries completed than waste their energy on explaining to potential bandsters that it doesn't happen overnight. That's why it is so important to do your research beforehand and find out what to expect so educated questions can be asked when talking with the surgeon. But yeah I remember not being too perky being on liquids for a month either. It is a confusing and somewhat emotional time trying to adjust to a new way of life, especially when the old way of life was so ingrained in your existence.

When I was a wee bit too tight any Fluid I drank felt like it sat at the base of my throat also and it was hard to get enough daily fluid intake. Many foods were uncomfortable to eat but I was usually able to eat the right amount of food. Pbing and sliming were common (couple of times/week) as well as acid reflux if I ate too late. When I had a slight unfill (.1 cc) everything got better. The reflux went away, I was able to drink fluids adequately and I was able to eat any kind of food as long as I took my time. It sounds to me like you are a bit too tight, but give it a few more days to see if you are just swollen from the fill. Otherwise, a tiny unfill can help tremendously!

There are some pants that hit my port at the wrong place because it sticks out a bit. Especially when I sit down. I just tend to pull my pants up over it when sitting to ease the issue. It's not that it's sore, it just feels like it's hitting you in the wrong place and need to adjust it.

I feel my band is at a good place for me also. I haven't found a single food product that I can't eat, just some that are easier than others to eat. Some firm Proteins take longer to eat and I can be a bit uncomfortable but stay down. I don't get hungry for 4-5 hours normally, but I tend to have a snack in the afternoon so I can have dinner at a later hour to keep the night munchies at bay. With me, being too tight led to acid reflux at night and problems on some days being able to eat anything firm. About twice a month I can tell I'll get a bit tight, but not that I can't eat. So, it's a great level for me. But I do struggle with always making the right food choices. It helps to just not buy the stuff!

I had my first fill at about 5 weeks post-op. I could return every 2 weeks if I felt I needed more restriction. However, I noticed that the closer I got to restriction, the longer it took to "kick in". My fills now take about 3 weeks to completely kick in - so I suggest after the first couple of times to get fills after 4 weeks to make sure you feel the full restriction of your last fill. But that being said, it is different for everyone with some feeling total restriction right away. I wouldn't be too concerned at first about getting fills quickly. Let your band heal completely first and then concentrate on getting your fills. Just realize that everybody's body does not react the same and you will have to find out how yours handles fills. Error on the side of caution...

Egh - My band experience has been very positive and up until recently I was seeing consistent progress. With the past success I've had on the Atkins diet, I am very aware of the way carbs effect my body in retaining fluids and slowing weight loss. I am a firm believer in getting in your Protein everyday and limiting carbs, however, I don't necessarily prescribe to the Atkins philospohy wholeheartedly anymore. I can eat bread that is toasted and on occasion when it isn't. But I have realized that a small portion (such as 1/2 piece of toasted bread or bun) with a firm protein like meat or chicken helps to keep me satisfied longer than with just firm protein alone. I don't know why, but it does. It does sound like you may be a tad too tight, must the suggestions you received above are a good starting point. If firm protein is giving you trouble, do not be concerned about getting a little taken out of your band. I've been too tight in the past and just a miniscule amount of Fluid removed can make a world of difference in being able to eat comfortably and without pbing or sliming without changing the amount of food you can eat. I subscribe to the notion that protein is essential, healthy carbs in moderation are okay (whole grains, veggies, fruits if tolerated), and moderate fat intake will help you on your journey. Along with adequate fluid intake and exercise of course. I do believe it is very wise of you to try and figure out what works for your body...as I do think it is different for everyone. Best of luck with your progess and your journey.

Not sure but have you and your doctor considered your gall bladder if you still have it?

Here is the information I received from my surgeon's newsletter who is currently beginning to do the procedure. "In addition to our Cosmetically Superior Gastric Band technique, Dr. Watkins is one of the first surgeons in the United States to offer Gastric Plication Surgery (GPS procedure). Our first GPS procedure is complete and several more are already scheduled. The new procedure has also been called gastric imbrication, gastric plication and vertical sleeve plication among others. We call the operation GPS for Gastric Plication Surgery as we have integrated our cosmetic techniques and our routine strengthening of the hiatus (opening in diaphragm breathing muscle associated with hiatal hernias and acid reflux). CWLC is one of four clinics in the United States currently offering gastric plication surgery. The operation imitates a Sleeve Gastrectomy operation, but without any cutting or removal of the stomach. The procedure was first done in India and Greece. In the U.S., the procedure is currently done in Cleveland, Tampa and Salt Lake City and Dr. Watkins has brought it to Cincinnati. The data so far shows excellent weight loss results similar to the sleeve gastrectomy which is not surprising since GPS emulates the sleeve. They both reduce the stomach to a narrow tube. The operation reduces the amount of food required to make you feel full by folding the stomach in on itself with stitching. The resulting stomach tube is small and patients describe feeling very full on small amounts of food. The surgery will be less expensive than other options because there is no expensive medical device or staples required. The operation is ideal for patients that need a lower cost option and for patients that do not desire a port or adjustments. It is an ideal option to consider for band patients that have not lost much weight with the band. GPS patients do not require adjustments and have fewer food restrictions. For example, GPS patients can eat bread and can drink with meals and they have more abdominal fullness as opposed to the very high chest sensation of fullness with the band. It is important to note that, like the band and other weight loss operations, GPS is to be considered a powerful tool for weight loss. There is no operation that guarantees success since these operations do require patient effort. In addition to a “salvage” operation for band patients that haven’t lost that much weight, GPS can also be an ideal primary operation for weight loss. The only downside to the GPS procedure is that long-term results are not known. Outside the U.S., gastric plication is showing stable weight loss two years after the procedure and the results appear very similar to the sleeve procedure which shows excellent long-term weight loss." Just thought I'd pass along the info.

Yep - slow down the eating. It's not just about taking small bite and chewing really well. Take some time between your bites to make sure you don't feel any pressure (like your going to belch, slime, etc.). This should help also with the sliming. However, to have it 2 hours after eating seems a little much. I've never had a sliming problem that long after eating unless I drink too fast or my band is tight and food still seems to be above the band.

Sliming is excessive saliva that begins to form due to a number of things: like eating too fast, taking too big of a bite, eating something that doesn't agree with you (like maybe fibrous foods, dry chicken, meat, bread for some). It can happen frequently when your too tight. Pbing is when you actually "throw up" a little bit (maybe the last couple of bites) from again eating too fast, too much, too big of bites, being too tight, etc. Alot of times, the pbing is just the excessive (thick) saliva that has gone down and needs to come back up. Pbing doesn't always come with sliming, but it can and it's a signal that you need to pay more attention to your eating. Hope that answers your question.

Your best bet is to talk with Dr. Curry's office about this. It does sound like sliming, but that comes when eating, not at random. At least in my experience. Much of the time the sliming leads to the pbing. However, if you're not throwing up and if it doesn't feel worse that your swallowing it, then it sounds like something else. You didn't say how much you were filled. My fills never "kicked in" full force until about 3 weeks after the actual fill. Just call to be safe.

Lindsay B - I read your post a couple of times. You "sometimes" make the right food choices and right now you are not exercising. Those are the signals to me that you need to get in the right frame of mind. Very difficult to do. I struggle with that also. As Catherine said, you do sound like you're too tight. If it is a crapshoot as to whether or not you're able to keep food down, then you're either eating too fast, eating foods that may be "difficult" for the band, eating too much, or are too tight. If you are eating things that just go down easy, that isn't good either because they tend to be slider foods of little nutritional value or don't stay in your pouch long enough to keep you satisfied. Your attitude can affect so many things, especially when you are not seeing the results as quick as others. Please don't compare yourself to others. Do what works for you. You may want to do the 5 day pouch test to jumpstart things along. It can also help to keep you from snacking. Being too tight can set you up for so many unnecessary complications. Please consider a slight unfill (.05 cc or .1 cc) to see if that helps with your pbing. The tiniest bit can make a world of difference. It doesn't make you eat more, just helps make it go down more comfortable and makes eating less a chore. Best of luck to you.

If you don't have enough restriction, you definitely need another fill. Proper restriction doesn't mean that you can't eat solid food, or that you are pb'ing or sliming all the time. It just means that if you eat slow, take small bites and are conscious about what you are eating, you shouldn't have too much trouble. Many times people assume that the pb'ing and sliming are just a part of the game. Not necessarily. When I was too tight, I had about 2-3 times a week where I was having trouble with eating. Since I've had some taken out, those occurences are much more rare - maybe once a month (and of my own doing by eating too fast, or eating bread when I'm tight, etc). Some bandsters have trouble with certain foods, but not all. I don't have any that I have to stay away from, just some that make me uncomfortable and take a long time to eat, so I limit those foods. Don't be afraid to get fills, just make sure you don't get too much. You really do need proper restriction to make the journey easier. And yes, you can lose weight months down the road.