I need some help clarifying before i fill again

[koolkel 80]

So-- I had my third fill and refused a fourth because I keep getting stuck. Several times a week, I have to "spit" out food stuck above my band. I feel this is self-induced( though time of day influences it as well.)

I'm actually scared of another fill. I am afraid I will actually choke or vomit. I'm hungry. Some days I feel like i can eat and eat and eat( bottomless pit!)

I'm hungry every few hours.

I'm guessing I am not in green zone but I'm afraid of more fill!

Any advice? I'm modifying my bites and chews, but I've even been stuck on yogurt!

[GuyMontag 1,264]

Take a bite and put your fork or spoon down until you feel the food clear your band. This takes a lot of practice and time to master. Also, make your first bite smaller than the rest of your bites. I always have to take a 'primer' bite. Don't drink with meals and try to learn how to eat using foods like refried Beans, cottage cheese, or chili. Those are good practice foods. Some people have to use smaller untensils or even count to thirty before the next bite. Just find out what works for you. Also, I don't eat Breakfast because I am usually tight in the morning. I just drink hot liquids all morning like Decaf coffee until my band opens up. Good luck!

[labwalker 1,177]

Stuck on yogurt? Something is not right. Your band might be too tight, and that can cause some of the problems you're experiencing. You might ask your doctor about doing a fill under fluoroscopy; that will show the band restriction and give some idea on whether you really need another fill, or an unfill.

[koolkel 80]

Stuck on yogurt? Something is not right. Your band might be too tight' date=' and that can cause some of the problems you're experiencing. You might ask your doctor about doing a fill under fluoroscopy; that will show the band restriction and give some idea on whether you really need another fill, or an unfill.[/quote']

It was yogurt with almonds....the chunkiness in the morning did it! She asked if I wanted an unfill but I want to wait and try to further modify my behavior first.

[koolkel 80]

Take a bite and put your fork or spoon down until you feel the food clear your band. This takes a lot of practice and time to master. Also' date=' make your first bite smaller than the rest of your bites. I always have to take a 'primer' bite. Don't drink with meals and try to learn how to eat using foods like refried Beans, cottage cheese, or chili. Those are good practice foods. Some people have to use smaller untensils or even count to thirty before the next bite. Just find out what works for you. Also, I don't eat breakfast because I am usually tight in the morning. I just drink hot liquids all morning like Decaf coffee until my band opens up. Good luck![/quote']

Yes! Mornings are rough! I appreciate your advice and I'm going to try those suggestions. The "primer bite" particularly because the first bite seems to be a doozie!

[brianb 81]

So-- I had my third fill and refused a fourth because I keep getting stuck. Several times a week, I have to "spit" out food stuck above my band. I feel this is self-induced( though time of day influences it as well.)

I'm actually scared of another fill. I am afraid I will actually choke or vomit. I'm hungry. Some days I feel like i can eat and eat and eat( bottomless pit!)

I'm hungry every few hours.

I'm guessing I am not in green zone but I'm afraid of more fill!

Any advice? I'm modifying my bites and chews, but I've even been stuck on yogurt!

Boy, that sounds like the green zone to me. I'm even wondering if you overshot and are in the red a tiny bit. All of that PBing/vomiting doesn't sound right.

The chart in the doctor's office claims that we are hungry in the red zone. I don't understand how that is possible, but it's strange that what you describe is similar to what is described as the red zone.

I'm kind of where you are at. Three PB episodes this week. All of them avoidable though. I just need to slow down, chew more and eat less. Right now my focus is zero PB/vomiting episodes. I'm concerned getting stuck and vomiting is the reason for band erosion and slips for a lot of people. Just a guess.

I personally think you are right where you should be and just need to practice on eating slower, eating less and chewing more.

How's the weight? Another sign of the red zone according to the doctor's chart is not losing weight.

[Smiles4Di 61]

Sounds like we are in the same place - I however notice it is worse on certain days and has a lot to do with my stress level - I def do bit like the vomiting but I also don't want to unfill because other days I am fine.

I feel like I am just now in the place where the modified behaviors are a mandate and I got to get the brain in sync with the band.

Keep me posted on your situation because any and all advice is helpful

[koolkel 80]

I wasn't losing for the last few weeks but this morning I was down 2lbs and felt lighter. I'm going to focus on my behavior and see if that helps. If I keep getting stuck, I'll consider a tiny unfill. I may be hungry due to my thyroid med dosage( I'm guessing it needs to decrease because of my weight loss.) when I'm hyperthyroid, I experience unending hunger!

[koolkel 80]

I think my biggest battle right now is STOPPING! I eat and enjoy the food and its hard to stop eating. It makes perfect sense that when I take in more than my band can handle, it backs up and forces itself out. This is a huge mental fight for me, especially when eating out or in a social setting. Everyone is still eating and I'm just sitting there, so i will try another small bite. One bite over capacity and I'm heading to the ladies room. My son now hands me napkins and says he can see it on my face. At home I will remove all food from the table but in restaurants or at friends homes, it more difficult.

I'm still chalking this up to my behavior and considering it a learning curve. The aversion of choking on food is going to teach me my limits( I hope!!)