I've had so much gurgling (and other embarrassing noises after eating) since my last fill. Also hiccups. Anyone else have this? What causes it?

I didn't have this with my prior 2 fills. I also think this fill was a little too aggressive and plan to have a little removed next week.

Yes, Yes, Yes! I had my 6th fill last Tuesday, and finally have tight restriction for the first time. I have also had a big increase in bodily noises! LOTS of gurgling and burping. I also have some discomfort in drinking Water and other liquids, as well as with eating. Although everything does go down, I am trying to get used to this discomfort which I never had before. I may also need a slight unfill, but plan to wait awhile, since this restriction has been so long in coming (surgery was last Dec., lost 35 lbs. so far).

Mary in Sacramento

I have had two fills and have had gurgling and hiccups both times. The second fill was about a week and a half ago and I think it may have been too aggressive. I am gurgling like crazy and I have PB'd a number of times. Do you know if you get used to the tight restriction, or does it just make sense to have some taken out?

Hi Divebadger:

The gurgling is not a problem, but frequent PB's ARE a big problem. You should avoid PB'ing, as you risk damaging your esophagus and/or your band slipping if you don't. If you damage your esophagus, the treatment is to empty your band for a few weeks or months,until it heals. If your band slips then it takes surgery to fix it.

It takes time to get used to a new fill, especially a tight one. Make sure you are eating small bites, chewing very well, and eating slowly. If following these rules still makes you PB, then go to full liquids only for a few days, then try mushy foods for a couple of days, and then solids again. If you PB when you eat something, then the rule is NO MORE solid food FOR THAT DAY. Don't keep eating after a PB. This is VERY irritating to the esophagus, and I have known 2 people who had to have their band emptied because of this, and both gained weight. This can be easily avoided by going to liquids immediately. I have also heard that fills will loosen up over time, so give this one a try and see how it goes! Good luck,

Mary in Sacramento

Mary,

Thanks for the advice. I have been eating very little, taking tiny bites and chewing like mad (it can take me almost an hour to eat 1/2 ounce of soft cheese). I have a call into the doc b/c I think I may need to have some taken out...it's been two weeks and solids are not something I can keep down (and I know how important solids are).

Hi again Divebadger:

One last comment and then I'll let this go! I wanted to respond to your statement, "I know how important solids are". They really are not that important. The banding "experts" say that as long as you can keep liquids down, you are OK with a fill. It is up to you, of course, but depending on how much weight you have to lose and how fast you want to lose it, and how you feel, you really don't "need" to eat solids for a long while. You will probably be able to eat solids relatively soon again. It is your choice, of course.

Take care,

Mary

Thanks Mary,

Last night I did much better and feel much better. I appreciate your support....still gurgling though, but it's my happy weight loss gurgle!

Mary

I'm a little confused about your statement regarding PBing. Particularly damage to the esophagus, and slippage. Everything I've read has indicated that PBing involves the esophagus and does not involve any digestive fluids or any spasms from the stomach. As I understand it, damage to the esophagus occurs when you vomit too much and have digestive fluids entering the esophagus, and slippage can occur do to spasms in the stomach while vomiting. Whenever I've PBed, which is extremely rare, the food has been covered in saliva, and I do not feel any contractions in my stomach. Are you possibly confusing "throwing up" with PBing.

Jerry

Solids actually *are* very important. If you have tight restriction and resort to soft foods, you will most likely take in more calories than you would if you had a bit less of a fill and could eat solid foods. Solids fill you up quicker, so you're more likely to eat more when you eat soft foods. Not to mention, soft foods are usually more calorie dense than good solid choices, like chicken and veggies.

If you can't eat a decent amount of solid foods, it usually means that you're too tight.

Jerry:

I know of two people who PB'd a lot and they had to have all the Fluid removed from their bands to give the esophagus a chance to heal, as it had been damaged by the PB'ing. Once in a while a PB will not hurt you, but usually it's a message from your body to slow down, take smaller bites, chew longer, etc. Check with your doctor on this, but I would advise being careful of PBing. It's not the harmless thing it appears to be!

Another bandster once coined gurgles "the sound of impending weight loss". They are a GOOD sign and they do go away with time.

I agree with what everyone has stated about pbing...I try to avoid it at all costs because of potentially damaging my band or esophagus.

One of my docs said that the gurgling is normal and it's the esophogas getting used to having to work harder.

Well, after three and a half weeks of trying and alot of gurgling and noise (my esphogus must be in overdrive!), I need to have fluid taken out of the band.

Hi Divebadger:

Just wondering why you say you have to have some fluid removed from your band. You just mention the gurgling and noises. Is that all, or are you having trouble drinking liquids and are you not able to eat any solid food at all?

Mary in Sacramento

Oh boy ... I can just imagine what I'm going to SOUND LIKE after getting my first fill next week. Everything you guys are describing that has happened to you after fills is what I've felt since my surgery. Hiccups ... hard ones and only one or two. And the gurgles ... makes people stop and say, "Was that you?" Yes, indeed it was. And it sounds like this journey is only going to get more interesting with time ... and fills.

And as for PBing ... I avoid it anyway I can. Seems to me it's a normal red flag that your body does to send you a message, "Hey there Bud ... slow down and taste that meal."

Lori in Oregon

Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03

http://www.cascadeaccess.com/~kbauer/Lori/lorilapband.html

Hi Mary,

No, it really has nothing to do with the gurgling. In fact, when I gurgle and make noises, I generally know things are working just fine. I continue to be too restricted and am PB'ing more than I should after just 1/2 oz. of food or liquid. I am following all of the rules my doc has given me (small bites, lots of chewing, protein first, no junk, etc. etc.) and they want to take some of the fluid out of the band. I think the last fill was too agressive (I went from 1.7 cc's to 2.25 cc's) and I am hoping he just takes it back a little (.1 or.2 cc's). Hopefully that will make things better.