Unfilled and now can only eat an ounce at a time!

[mindy327 1]

Where do I start? First off I just want to cry! I feeeeel sooo alone in this process, and I can only think I did this to myself. I was banded on June 2, 2011 and have lost 36 pounds since I have been banded. Starting weight 228. Anyhow, the first 6 weeks after went flawless. I followed my post opp diet and then when I got to solid foods, I had some shredded chicken! Got stuck bad and the hell began. I swelled up and tried liquids for days. Got tighter and tighter. About 9 days ago I was so tight I could not get down liquids! I went to the hospital only for that hospital to give me fluids and turn me away... cried and prayed that I was okay. I thought Band slip, erosion, and every bad thought. So I drove 2 hours away to have an unfill of 1 cc ( had 2 put in during surgery) with little relief from the unfill. Last monday again I PBd 10 times and started feeling very weak with blurred vision. Drove myself to a different hospital with a bariatric center there. The DR was gratious and kind to help. He unfilled my band the last 1 cc so I am unfilled now.... and I stayed one night to rehydrate my body, and he did an uper GI and a barium swallow test. He said it was in mint condition and didnt know why I was so tight because he could get the scope through the stoma with no problem. If it were still not getting better to consider removing my band. ;( I dont want that at all. I was releast from the hospital to go on liquids for 48 hours. Done. then eat full liquids for another 48 hours. Done. I will say, I feel sooo much better but I am stilllll PBing well, sliming and spitting up the slime everyday. What in the world? I just want to be able to eat food again. I CAN eat soft foods now but I only eat about 1 oz at a time and full. Will this get better? Will my band loosen up? WHY CAN I NOT EAT? any support here would be greatful. How could I be fine just 3 weeks ago with 2 ccs and now unfilled and still tight with only 1 oz of food at a time. What in the world. HELLLPPPP!!!

[ButterflyM 2]

I have a question- y did u not go back to your Surgeon that placed your band to get his input? I know if I have any post op complications, I would be calling him up for his analysis of the situation. Just wondering, hope u recover soon.

[Melissannde 41]

Where do I start? First off I just want to cry! I feeeeel sooo alone in this process, and I can only think I did this to myself. I was banded on June 2, 2011 and have lost 36 pounds since I have been banded. Starting weight 228. Anyhow, the first 6 weeks after went flawless. I followed my post opp diet and then when I got to solid foods, I had some shredded chicken! Got stuck bad and the hell began. I swelled up and tried liquids for days. Got tighter and tighter. About 9 days ago I was so tight I could not get down liquids! I went to the hospital only for that hospital to give me fluids and turn me away... cried and prayed that I was okay. I thought Band slip, erosion, and every bad thought. So I drove 2 hours away to have an unfill of 1 cc ( had 2 put in during surgery) with little relief from the unfill. Last monday again I PBd 10 times and started feeling very weak with blurred vision. Drove myself to a different hospital with a bariatric center there. The DR was gratious and kind to help. He unfilled my band the last 1 cc so I am unfilled now.... and I stayed one night to rehydrate my body, and he did an uper GI and a barium swallow test. He said it was in mint condition and didnt know why I was so tight because he could get the scope through the stoma with no problem. If it were still not getting better to consider removing my band. ;( I dont want that at all. I was releast from the hospital to go on liquids for 48 hours. Done. then eat full liquids for another 48 hours. Done. I will say, I feel sooo much better but I am stilllll PBing well, sliming and spitting up the slime everyday. What in the world? I just want to be able to eat food again. I CAN eat soft foods now but I only eat about 1 oz at a time and full. Will this get better? Will my band loosen up? WHY CAN I NOT EAT? any support here would be greatful. How could I be fine just 3 weeks ago with 2 ccs and now unfilled and still tight with only 1 oz of food at a time. What in the world. HELLLPPPP!!!

I'm not sure exactly why you are still having issues, but I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Is there any stress (besides not being able to eat, obviously) going on in your life? Stress can make our bands feel tighter.

Try sipping on some hot or warm tea, it's often soothing and sometimes relaxes the band a bit.

I don't know your location, but if you're where it's really hot right now.. that could be a factor too.

I think it would be wise for you to call your surgeon and make an appointment to go in. It could be that they placed a band that is just too small for you as an individual. I know you hate to make that 2 hour drive, but sometimes we gotta do things we don't like.

Best of luck in finding some answers.

[54Shirley 105]

I know that whenever they fill or unfill the band. I am getting easily stuck for the first 2 weeks. How I don't know if this is the NORM ! My original Surgeon said that I was to sensitive, "THAT MAY BE..." so I try to be careful, drink the warm tea to help open me up, and most of all be patient. This last fill of .1 and a quarter cc, was the first time I ever slimed since I was banded.

10/06 banded. So this is now a whole new chapter in my book.

It finally slowed down for me as of yesterday. "KNOCK ON WOOD". So I'm sure your all swollen, so take it easy ! You will eat again, but first help yourself out, the best you can.

You should let your surgeon know what went on though.

I'm sure he can help out.

[DonnaMP 13]

You should make sure that you are staying WELL hydrated. Having your period, weather, stress, ALL tighten your band. If you're sliming a lot, you're either eating too big a bite, or the wrong food. Try avoid bread, rice, Pasta, anything stringy, salads for a while and see if that helps.