I need some opinions...I had a fill in February and have since lost 58lbs. The band was tight right after, but after a few months it loosened and I could eat very tiny meals very slowly. Since then it has progressively gotten tighter. I'm now unable to eat much of anything without it getting stuck and throwing up. Creamy chicken Soup was stuck yesterday! I've lost 123lbs since being banded in December 2008.

My biggest fear is that I get the band loosened some and I start gaining weight back and I do NOT want to go back to being 295lbs! But I know I have to get something done. I was woken up last night from a dead sleep and starting throwing up something I had tried to eat 8 hours before.

Has anyone had a slight unfill and what were your experiences? DId you gain weight back?

I had a slight unfill and it has been wonderful I can sleep and the acid in my stomach has been cut in half, I can actually eat meat in moderation something that had been making me sick everytime, go for the unfill, you will be glad you did. :thumbup:

May not make it until Friday...can't get liquids down AGAIN. UGH! I am so frustrated with this band!

Time to call your doctor. You don't want to risk becoming dehydrated because it can be very serious.

Take care.

Sue

Claire-- Try a warm bath, its what I use when I got stuck and was too tight to take liquids. If the bath relaxes you enough, have a glass of wine. If the wine relaxes you, drink as much water as you can before you go to bed. I know, wine is not diet friendly but if it gets you till Monday, that helps. Go get a partial unfill on Monday, no matter how far it is. ( I drove to Dallas on a Sunday once, 2 hours, for an unfill, I know what a pain in the butt it is.) If all else fails go to the emergency room and get an unfill there. Keep us updated on how your doing.

Well, I survived until today! Apparently my symptoms are very common at the point I am after being banded. The PA said the esophogus just gets tired of pushing against the band and taking some out for a month and then going back and refilling slowly will fix the problem. She took out 2CCs. Yes TWO WHOLE CCS. Not .2CCS! I begged her not to take out that much but she stressed that my esophogus just needs time to rest and then we can work our way back up again. SHe stressed the importance of eating solid foods and even mentioned having a subway sandwich. She said YES, a little bread isn't going to hurt! I felt INSTANT relief after she pulled out the fill. But....I also felt a hunger pain down deep in my stomach shortly after which I haven't felt since pre-band! I have been absolutely DYING for a Whataburger so I just went and got it over with. I was able to eat half of a burger and a few french fries. It went down with no problem, but it was very weird to feel solid food in my pouch. Here's the kicker! It didn't even taste good. It tasted nothing like I remember. The grease and bread in the burger really made me feel kind of disgusted which is what I used to love about it. Glad I got it out of my system but I don't think eating healthy and sticking to solid healthier foods is going to be a problem. I go back in one month to get 1CC put back in!

Hopefully I can find a happy medium between being filled a little more and still being able to eat solid foods. Thank you all for your support and for caring!

Claire, I am glad you are OK mentally with the unfill.....I had to laugh about your burger experience....you will be fine with your new level and gradually add to it after you are rested.

Best wishes.

Mimi

Congratulations on joining the ranks of food snobs. I am not eating anything that doesn't taste wonderful, life is too short to eat crappy food. :thumbup:

Apparently I'm not mentally ok with my fill. I'm failing horribly with being unfilled!!!!!!!!!! No matter how hard I try, I can't help but stick bad things in my mouth. The hunger pains are killing me. My stomach is constantly growling. I'm eating solid foods and protein like chicken and vegetables and trying to stick to my four ounces. I'm still starving once I finish the food. I don't know how I'm going to survive the next 3.5 weeks :thumbup:

Apparently I'm not mentally ok with my fill. I'm failing horribly with being unfilled!!!!!!!!!! No matter how hard I try, I can't help but stick bad things in my mouth. The hunger pains are killing me. My stomach is constantly growling. I'm eating solid foods and Protein like chicken and vegetables and trying to stick to my four ounces. I'm still starving once I finish the food. I don't know how I'm going to survive the next 3.5 weeks :thumbup:

A fill or lack of a fill does not determine what you stick in your mouth. Your band has nothing to do with what you stick in your mouth. YOU determine what you stick in your mouth, not the band. When your stomach is growling, that means it's empty - not that you're hungry.

What a great thread. After reading your posts I will call the Dr. for a slight unfill. I have been dealing with Pb'ing and vomiting since July. I will do fine for a while and then all of a sudden start having episodes. Since last Wed. I have vomited 5 times. Today I have heartburn. Like you all I am afraid of losing the restriction. I didn't have restriction until that fill in July under Flouro. When will I ever figure this band out?

I had a major unfill several months ago and I have NO desire to be filled again. Although I have been unfilled 2cc's, I still sometimes get stuck because my band tightens at time. Anytime I have had a fast food burger, I don't enjoy them at all so I don't waste my time or money. The most I eat at a fast food restaurant is Wendy's chili and most of the time it's because I've been on the run and it's easy to eat while driving and full of protein or I'll have a cone from McDonalds.

Apparently I'm not mentally ok with my fill. I'm failing horribly with being unfilled!!!!!!!!!! No matter how hard I try, I can't help but stick bad things in my mouth. The hunger pains are killing me. My stomach is constantly growling. I'm eating solid foods and Protein like chicken and vegetables and trying to stick to my four ounces. I'm still starving once I finish the food. I don't know how I'm going to survive the next 3.5 weeks :thumbdown:

Hi:

It's time to stock up on some very low calorie foods that will fill you up. One of my favorites is green beens with diced tomatoes and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Barely any calories and it's like having italian food.:rolleyes2: So many veggies to choose from that may fill that hole and also might help your mind feel satisfied.

Best wishes to you.

Sue

Ok so I backed out and didn't call the Dr. today. I actually feel really good today. Did that happen to you all? Feel Ok for a few days and then crappy?:rolleyes2:

I'm doing better today! I burned 200 calories on the treadmill and stocked up yesterday on low calorie foods! Today I had 4oz of steak and baked zuchini for supper. I was so excited to eat steak!!! (Granted the steak is not very diet friendly, but it's lots of Protein and I haven't eaten red meat in MONTHS!) TOmorrow grilled chicken with bell peppers and a slice of cheese is on the menu for supper. I think I just needed to get over not being able to eat for so long.

JLDCHESTER, PLEASE go get a little unfill. I was EXACTLY like you! I would have a good day and then two weeks of bad days. I was absolutely miserable and didn't realize how bad it was until I got the unfill. My fiance was also too tight and went for a slight unfill on Monday and he is much happier as well. He has actually lost 7lbs since Monday WITH EATING because his metabolism isn't shut down! It's not worth living with a too tight band. I think some of my weight gain is due to drinking tons of Water and its water weight. It feels so good to drink lots of water and eat solid foods without PB'ing or vomiting. A week ago I would not have been so in favor of the unfill, but after going thru it, i honestly believe it is NOT worth living with a too tight band!

Sue Magoo, I can't wait to try those green beans! Thanks for the suggestions!

Manda, i realize i control what i stick in my mouth but if i had that much control, i wouldn't have gotten the band in the first place. It's very hard to go from being very tight and barely eating to being unfilled a great deal and being able to eat ANYTHING.

Ok Claire I finally took your advice after I started having heartburn and woke up this am with bad reflux.

I called the Dr. first thing when they opened. My Dr. wasn't in or his nurse. I explained what was going on and that I live 2 hours away and needed to be seen today. Long story short the Dr. on call for my Dr. refused to see me. So I pleaded with the nurse and she said she could get the PA to see me today. But couldn't guarantee she would be able to hit my port. Well she hit the right spot and emptied my band. What instant releif. Heartburn was gone by the time I got home. Staying on luquids the rest of today. Already feel better.

Thanks so much Claire

Glad you have relief! I'm also glad you didn't wait as long as I did! Did the PA suggest completely emptying the band? I didn't want nearly as much fill taken out of my band but the PA was very adament about taking enough out so my esophagus could "rest". I am counting down the days til I can go back and the PA will put one CC back in! Did you make an appt to have a fill? This is a daily struggle because i have ZERO restriction right now.