ladies - do you experience this

[carlavdm 0]

.....I am not good at this - so be patient with me. Funny thing happened. I joined the site in Oct 2007 when I had my lapbandI never went on the site....had to reset my password just now - and NOW - after 3 years I need help.

I have done well. Lost 85 pounds...bmi went from 42 to 28 or something. I now weigh 190 pounds and can still lose a lot more, but somehow I am content ....maybe another 10 pounds will be nice. In January I am even getting a mommy makeover.

Here is the thing. Every ***** month around my ovulation period, I get so swollen that I can hardly get any food down. This results in a yo yo effect..... a bad cirle started. When I do not ovulate, or have my period, the band is too loose. Or if it is right during normal dayds, its too tight during those periods.....which sometimes get close to 10 days. Now i tried working with this - remember it has been 3 years - I should be a pro by now. Problem is - I had so many fills....the dr punctured my port in Dec - and I gained 50 pounds. It has been fixed since - and back on track. I am nervous going back to him all the time - even though he is the nicest man alive....but if the band is not too tight - its too loose. And I know all the right things - dont we all??? I can right a freakin book - exercise more, eat right yada yada yada ....So I have to either suck it up through the loose times, or drink Water through the tight times.....

Here is my question to all the ladies out there.....Please tell me I am not alone in this. It is Thursday today....Last "decent" meal I had - was 10 days ago. After that the band tightened up soooo much that I can only drink Water / tea etc....The dr already adjusted it 2 days ago and to be safe, I stayed on liquids for another day. Last night I tried scrambled egg and 20 minutes later - it all came out again!!!! So how long do I wait for swelling to go down, or at what point do I go tail between the legs ....back to my doc?? I think I know the answer - but I need to know that I am not alonnnnnneeeee...so please let me know.

[elcee 3,343]

I believe this is relatively common though I am lucky enough not to have this problem(yet).

Scrambled egg can be a really difficult food to eat. I would avoid those at your tight times and maybe try sticking to Soups, yogurts and other nutritious sliders. Not ice cream and milkshakes. If it is only for a couple of days each month then you may be able to get through it.It sounds as though you are trying foods which can be difficult and these may be irritating your band more and making the problem worse. Hopefully babying your band at these times will help.

[JenB78 0]

Hi Carla!

I have been banded for over a year and a half, and I have lost 116 pounds, and counting Every single month right before I start my period my band gets crazy tight. This lasts around 5-6 days. I am a little different than you though because I love those times! I am certain to lose during those days. I can still eat a lil, but mostly just Soups and such. During the other times of the month I am ok, but my band does fluctuate a bit. Who knows what causes it, but some days I am just tighter than others. The one thing that I knowt hat has helped is around your period, try taking a Water pill. The reason you are extra tight is becasue your body, including your stomach is retaining fluids. I have found that a water pill helps a bit during that time if im crazy tight. Unfortunately I dont have the option that you have to go back to my doctor as often for adjustments. I was a cash customer, so each fill costs me 175$. So on tight days, I take it as a blessing, and i lose a pound I like losing pounds LOL..... Good luck... I dont know if there is a concrete solution to this problem, but knowthat you are not alone

[Taterbugsmom 0]

I was banded 7/2010 and I am experiencing EXACTLY what you have described. My surgeon suggested I take a Water pill also. I'm rather confused though on when I should start taking it??? I am going to give that a try this month & keeping everything crossed that works for me! I can't handle being this loose 3 1/2 weeks! I just don't have the willpower to not give into the cravings, which is why I was banded UGHHHH

[sfwaitinginma 0]

Wow, this happens to me too. My doctor and the nurse both had never heard of that and looked at me like I was crazy when I told them about it.

[Purpleshell 4]

Oh No!! I have just been banded and had my gall bladder removed and was hoping my extreme bloating during ovulation and periods would settle down and not get worse!! During "O" I often have more pain than my periods and lasts a few days before and after, so I know what you are describing but yet to know if it will affect me now with the band.

I guess I'll find out after my first fill in Jan or maybe in a couple of more days

If you find a solution please post and please let us know if those Water pills work. I've never heard of them before, so thanks for sharing.

[Kalipso2 25]

i'm 2.5 years post-op and each month when i have my period, my band is super tight. during those few days i basically stick to a liquid diet.

i'd rather be too tight for 5 days than too loose for 25 days!