Hi, I had my 4th fill on 11/1. Did good first 2 days with liquids and mushies. Now hard to keep things down. I do not know if I am just not eating slow enough or too big of bites. I do good in the mornings with my Vitamins, they all go down fine. I only got 0.25cc added to my band and the Doctor said I will notice a big difference. Any advice will help.

Thanks,

Deborah

Deborah,

What are you eating now that's hard to get down? Are you back on solid food? As long as you're able to drink plenty of liquids, you'll be OK while you figure out what's going on and whether you need a small unfill (which can make a big difference in your ability to eat without compromising your restriction).

It seemed like I had to re-learn my band eating skills (take tiny bites, chew very well, eat slowly, etc.) after every single fill I had, but there are some things you can do to minimize problems.

#1 - When you have a stuck episode, PB, sliming, or other eating problem, stop eating as soon as you start feeling discomfort. Continuing to eat will just irritate and inflame your upper GI tract even more.

#2 - After one of those eating problems (see above), follow a liquid diet for 24 hours. Then transition gradually to purees, soft foods (that you can cut with the side of a fork), and then solid foods.

#3 - Pay attention to which foods give you trouble. Animal Protein that's cooked too dry is a culprit for many bandsters. If you've been choosing lean cuts because they're lower in fat, consider trying a cut with more fat - for example, eat chicken thighs instead of chicken breast, and cook the chicken with the skin on so that the fat from the skin seeps into the meat to keep it moist. Be extra careful when eating very fibrous veggies (especially if raw) and fruits (especially with the skin or peel left on). A little bit of gravy, plain yogurt, sour cream, salad dressing, mayo, tomato sauce, salsa and the like can help problem food go down (and add to the flavor, too).

If you're still struggling in 2-3 days, I'd call your surgeon's office and schedule an unfill. More fill is not better if you can't eat healthy solid food. I gained weight a few times when my band was too tight because I ended up eating easy slider foods that offer no satiety and are often junky (potato chips, ice cream, mashed potatoes, etc.).

I wouldn't wait too long to go in for a slight unfill. It is not good to pb et... it damages your esophogous. I waited out being too tight several times and suffered needlessly. When I went in for an unfill, I still had restriction but could keep solids down. Good luck and feel better.