Have had a series of adjustments recently. Was as high as 4.5cc in a 10cc band, which in retrospect my surgeon believes was too much, and I would do best at 4.0cc. As of 12/20 I was at 4.0cc. On 12/27 I began having a hard time taking much in, but did OK with fluids - especially hot tea. On 12/29 (Saturday) I became unable to swallow any solids. My surgeon was out of town. He has 3 partners, one of which also does lap bands. He wasn't available either. The partner that was on call said if I came to ER he would try to remove some fluid, and proceeded to bash lap band surgery because of "this kind of thing". I was reluctant to go to ER given his demeanor and lack of experience. Later that afternoon I couldn't even keep my own saliva down. Called the Dr. back who said since it was close to 6:00pm I could go to ER and he would admit me with dehydration and he would try to remove fluid in the morning. This hospital is out of network so I opted not to go, knowing he wasn't going to see me until the next morning anyway. Early on 12/30 my husband took me to ER. This physician poked me 4 times and couldn't aspirate anything! Ended up admitting me with dehydration and said a partner that works with these would be around Monday and take care of it. The following morning I had 1.5cc removed and by afternoon was discharged.

My dilema is I have an appointment tomorrow for a fill. I've had a significant amount of personal stress since hospitalization. My mother became acutely ill and I thought would die, as well as my son went to prison. I feel like I currently have a fair amount of restriction. Last night I had a work function and ordered a shrimp basket (don't usuallly order like this but no one at work knows). It came with 6 large shrimp and fries. I ate 2 of the shrimp and 4 fries. Knew I had enough. Was still hungry but knew I needed to stop. This seems like a reasonable amount of food.

My question = should I delay my fill for now?

I am private pay and every fill/unfill costs me $210 - which is difficult. Already have a huge bill from all of the adjustments last fall.

Appreciate your thoughts!

wait and do liquids for a few days or a week and let everything settle down in your body and your life.

I think until some of your stress gets handled, I would wait. I'm saying that b/c I know when I am stressed my LB gets really tight. I'd hate for you to go through fill/unfill/fill/unfill b/c of stress. IMHO

if you have some restriction, I would wait, or you may be in the same position as before, when I get to point of being able to eat larger portions then I know its time to get the band tightened, but If I have satisfaction after eating 2 shrimp, then I would'nt get the band tightened, its a very umcomfortable position to be in, but its part of the cause, but in the same sense you shouldnt be miserable, and unable to eat or drink, that is not what the band is supposed to do unless it is too tight..

If it was me, I would wait and let things settle both with the stress and the band. I would see how I do for the next couple of weeks and decide then.

Just my thought. Good luck to you.

First, let me say how sorry i am for the recent stress in your life... Just remember ... This to shall pass..

I too would wait and let things settle before going back. continue with your self monitoring of your food. Pre portion out as much as possible..... My suggestion would be, next time only order the shrimp, stay clear of the fried potatoes and if the shrimp were fried too, next time ask for them to be grilled. Most rest. offer a Kids shrimp.. order that and ask if it can be grilled.... 9 or 10 will say yes... then ask if they have any veggies you can get instead of the FFries. Tell them to keep the drink if it comes with one in place of the up charge for the veggies if there is one.

Don't give up on your band and keep positive....