To unfill or not to unfill

doinit4me · May 8, 2006

I have been having some problems with my band in the last month, but I must say that it has been mainly my fault. I had a fill a month and a half ago and I was pretty tight, barely getting much food down at all, but then, I went to see my doc 3 weeks later, had lost 8 lbs and was still feeling really tight. The doc asked me how often I was eating and I said I was munching every two or three hours still and so he decided to give me a small fill, and I let him. Low and behold, it was way to much and I couldn't even keep Water down, which I kinda knew before I ever left the doc. office because when I took the drink of water, it gurgled immediatly in my throat. So then I went on vacation a couple of days later and it was terrible. Couldn'teat or drink anything. So I came back and before going home (lost another 4 lbs in less than a week), I went to the doc and got an unfill, he just took out what he had put in and told me to continue my previcid and mylanta. That was last Monday (the 1st), and not it's 7 days later and I am still unable to eat most solids, including cheese and Pasta, milk, ect.. Ablsolutly no meat is staying down and I slime almost every time I eat and am occassionaly choking in my sleep (but not like I was before the frist unfill). My question is, am I doing something wrong, I try to eat slow, chew alot and not drink with meals, or am I just too tight. Any advise would be appreciated.

Elisabethsew · May 8, 2006

I don't think you're doing anything wrong except for the fact that you should have never let the MD give you the small fill when you were already too restricted. In my opinion, you need to go back and have a little more of the fill taken out or you risk permanent damage to your esophagus. Weight loss is wonderful but not at the expense of lasting damage and inabilty to take it the required nutrients. Make the call!

juliek · May 8, 2006

I would definitely say you need another small unfil. Also, I wouldn't suggest eating Pasta - that is bad for the band because it can swell up and cause blockages.

Vegaswildflower · May 8, 2006

You knoe, I have heard that even a10th of a cc can make all the diffrence, I would unfill a bit.

Marimaru · May 8, 2006

Definately go for the unfill.

doinit4me · May 8, 2006

well i did go for the unfill and I feel better already. you all may want to know, while i was there, the nurse told me that she had two people in the past two weeks slip thier band because they would over fill, inflame thier innards, get complete unfills and then turn around and over fill again. just thought I would pass the info she gave me. it was a wake up call for me. thanks guys.