thinme

It sounds like it might be reflux. My doc told me that sometimes the band tightens on its own, even without a fill, so you should get it checked. Don't let it go too long, you can cause damage to your esophagus.

Yes! That's exactly what happened to me. My band was too tight, they took out some fluid. My doc said that as you get right around your "sweet spot" every .5 cc makes a difference. I had a .3 cc fill at my last fill, and I ended up having to go back to take out .1 cc and just today had another .1 cc removed. After the first .1 that came out, I felt better, but then it started again recently. I'd wake up in the middle of the night with vomit in my mouth and a burning sensation in my esophagus. The doctor also told me that the more acid you have building up in your stomach and esophagus, the tighter your band gets because your stomach and esophagus get swollen. They did an esophogram to make sure I didn't have slippage, which thankfully I didn't. She prescribed some pills for the reflux, hopefully that will work. Your band is probably too tight, you should have it checked.

HELP! I got a 3cc fill last week, and I think it's too tight! I was fine the first couple of days, but over the weekend I started experiencing night reflux and I've been vomiting all day. I can't even keep down water! I'm pretty sure it's because the band is too tight, but my doctor's office is closed on the weekends and I can't get any help until tomorrow morning. Does anyone have any short term cures, at least to hold me over until tomorrow? It's very uncomfortable!

Blended/pureed soups work really well for the mushy week, and they are very filling. I tried pureed veggie soup, split pea soup, or very mushy egg salad. I was so sick of the protein shakes and broths that ANYTHING was better! Good luck!

Tracy, I'm in hell with you! I was banded on 12/14 and don't have my first fill until 1/23! I have been able to eat anything and everything, though I am really trying to be careful and keep a journal. I've read many other posts here from people who say they went through the same thing and you need to just hang in there until your first fill. It is SO frustrating to see the scale go up instead of down, I know. Hang in there...

Do the doctors let you just decide on your own how much restriction you have? I didn't even know that was an option!

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly does "tight banding" mean? I was just banded on 12/14, haven't even had my first fill yet. I know that the first few weeks after surgery are for healing, so I'm still waiting for the pounds to start coming off! I've been very careful with my diet, but I haven't started exercising yet. Does tight banding mean you eat even less than you would with the band as it's "intended" to be (for lack of better word)? Does a tight band basically mean just starving yourself, eating even less than the 1/2-1 cup of food? (Not judging, just asking!)

Yay, I'm not the only starving Bandster! I was banded on 12/14, made it through the liquids and mushies fine. I finally started solids, and I find that I am SO hungry! I have even gained back 2 lbs that I lost, though I wonder if that has anything to do with not eating any "real" food for a few weeks after the surgery. I'm really trying not to eat a lot even though I don't feel any restriction. Why don't they fill your band right away? I'm not having my first fill until 1/23, and I feel like I may gain all my weight back by then! Feeling slightly discouraged with this...

I just got banded on Dec 14 and I feel great! I was out of work for a week, I'm still a little sore at the incision area, but otherwise feel fine. The 2 week pre-op liquid diet is a KILLER! After 3 days of protein shakes I was dying for real food! But I hung in there, lost about 10 lbs pre-op. The first couple days after surgery were a little painful, but not terrible. You feel a little bloated from the gas and weak from the pain, so you're not that hungry anyway. Just make sure to drink as much liquid as you can get down so you don't dehydrate. I had the surgery on a Monday, and only by the following Sunday was I starting to feel even the least bit hungry. So the first week of post-op liquids was fine (my doc makes us do 2 weeks of post-op liquid). On Monday when I went back to work, I was feeling a little hungry so I had a fat free yogurt diluted with skim milk to thin it out. Other than that, I'm feeling good and excited! Good luck to all you upcoming bandsters!

Has anyone actually experienced band slippage from advancing their diet too soon?

So I'm beginning to think that my surgeon's 10 day suggestion is really just a careful, precautionary move. thanks!

I'm supposed to be on clear liquids for 10 days, but I would LOVE some cream soup or yogurt! I don't know why my surgeon says 10 days when most other seem to say a max of 5. It's been 7 days, and I may just cheat and have a thin plain yogurt or dilute with some skim milk. Thanks!

HELP! I'm starving! I was banded a week ago, and my surgeon says I have to do 10 days of post-op liquids (like the pre-op diet). I'm feeling great, I'm back to work, and I feel like I can tolerate at least a little pureed food. I've read in some placed that most surgeons only make their patients do 4-5 days of post-op liquids. I'm scared of band slippage if I eat mushy foods too soon, but 10 days is a LOT! Anyone else have to do 10 days? Anyone out there start the mushy diet before they were supposed to and have any feedback? Thanks!