Hello all,

I'm a former 10 year crap band guy. I had my revision done this June 1st and have been doing great. I have transitioned flawlessly from clears to Full liquids to mushy and now just starting on solids.

As I went through these phases I never really felt any restriction or difficulties. I was able to drink 8 ounces of clears at a time. When full liquids came I could drink 8-10 ounces of Protein shakes in 15-20 mins. Now the issue I'm having is with solid foods it seems like I can eat almost anything. Now I've have not cheated at all and have kept to my diet. I'll eat 2-3 ounces of chicken or Tuna with another 2-3 ounces of veggies and it cottage cheese etc. I've never felt stuffed like I can't eat anymore and what worries me is that about 10-15 minutes after eating I feel hungrier than before I started eating.

I called my surgeon and he reassured me that my pouch was small and that what I may be going through is because since I had the band in place for so many years, even though it's been removed I still have that area dilated and it causes sort of a funnel effect. Basically, my food makes a pit stop on its way to my new stomach.

My question is has anyone out there heard of anything like this or have experienced the same issues? I would love to hear any feedback and thank you in advance!

Hi!

I have experienced some of the same issues. I was sleeved on 4/27 and so far I don't have any physical hunger. I do battle head hunger. Although, I don't feel like I have a tight sleeve I do feel restriction.

After post op day 3, I was getting all my Protein and fluids in. Now, I easily get in 80 plus grams of protein and 100 ounces fluids daily. Three ounces is my total limit of dense foods. So far, I haven't had any issues with the foods that I have eaten. Some things do feel kind of heavy in my stomach at times.

When I had the leak test the day after surgery, my surgeon pointed out where the band was previously placed and the dilated area left behind. I was told that it should return to its previous shape. Even if it doesn't I love life without the crap band!

From what I have been told and have read the hunger you feel after eating could be acid. If you are not taking a PPI you might want to try it and see if it helps with that hunger.

Gilly

Below in blue (it's just more coherent that way)

Hello all,

I'm a former 10 year crap band guy. 6 year LB so... yeah I had my revision done this June 1st and have been doing great. I have transitioned flawlessly from clears to Full liquids to mushy and now just starting on solids.

As I went through these phases I never really felt any restriction or difficulties. Not my case. It was weeks before I could get more than 2 or 3 tbls down. I'm 3 mos out and still have a lot of restriction - I really struggle, capacity-wise, to break 700 calories a day. I was able to drink 8 ounces of clears at a time. When full liquids came I could drink 8-10 ounces of Protein shakes in 15-20 mins. Now the issue I'm having is with solid foods it seems like I can eat almost anything. Now I've have not cheated at all and have kept to my diet. I'll eat 2-3 ounces of chicken or Tuna with another 2-3 ounces of veggies and it cottage cheese etc. I've never felt stuffed like I can't eat anymore and what worries me is that about 10-15 minutes after eating I feel hungrier than before I started eating. At 3 mos the only thing I can eat that quickly is sashimi, a Protein Bar, or strawberries. Those all go down easily for me. But capacity-wise I max out around 4 oz. I frequently max out before that, and have to "graze" the last ounce or so. I know we aren't supposed to graze, but if I didn't my daily calories would be around 450.

I called my surgeon and he reassured me that my pouch was small and that what I may be going through is because since I had the band in place for so many years, even though it's been removed I still have that area dilated and it causes sort of a funnel effect. Basically, my food makes a pit stop on its way to my new stomach. Were you diagnosed with a dialated pouch? I can see to where that might be happening. I didn't have a dialted pouch, but my prolapse left me with all kinds of adhesions/scar tissue. My surgeon thinks that's where my "above average" restriction is coming from - the scar tissue leaves y sleeve with less ability to flex/stretch than most.

My question is has anyone out there heard of anything like this or have experienced the same issues? I would love to hear any feedback and thank you in advance! My experiences are pretty muc the opposite, but it makes sense if you had a confirmed dialated pouch and it wasn't specifically addressed. I don't know if it will go back to shape in time. Once tissues are stretched I think it's pretty hard to unstretch them, but then again people who get treatment for stricture may become repeat patients, so it must be possible.

Sorry I can't be of more help, I just don't want to say "yes" or "no" when "hmm, makes sense..." is the best I can do.

Thanks for the input. Two different experiences is very interesting. I guess I'll just have to be careful and wait until my dilated pouch tightens up. Thanks again.

I felt that during certain periods early on that my body was not sending the "full message" early enough. I suspect it was lapband caused espophagus dialation. Like you have similiar capacity to other sleevers, but your body doesn't send the "enough" signal as early. According to my NUT, this is the reason they theorize that some revision patients don't lose as well as "virgin sleevers".

My solution was to use the itty bitty dishes and silverware. Focus on eating slow. When I would eat my 2-3 oz portion, but didn't feel satiated, I would wait at least 15-20 minutes before deciding I needed more food. Pretty much always, I was actually satiated, it just took time for the brain to catch up.

Then, I went through several months of just having very little interest in food - the forgetting to eat type thing.

Now, I am having more hunger and just wanting to eat more. I think this is a fairly typical pattern. I stil use a little 4oz dessert dish as my bowl, and a tiny salad plate as my "plate" and even though I am hungrier/wanting more now, it is still pretty small portions!

I felt that during certain periods early on that my body was not sending the "full message" early enough. I suspect it was lapband caused espophagus dialation. Like you have similiar capacity to other sleevers' date=' but your body doesn't send the "enough" signal as early. According to my NUT, this is the reason they theorize that some revision patients don't lose as well as "virgin sleevers".

My solution was to use the itty bitty dishes and silverware. Focus on eating slow. When I would eat my 2-3 oz portion, but didn't feel satiated, I would wait at least 15-20 minutes before deciding I needed more food. Pretty much always, I was actually satiated, it just took time for the brain to catch up.

Then, I went through several months of just having very little interest in food - the forgetting to eat type thing.

Now, I am having more hunger and just wanting to eat more. I think this is a fairly typical pattern. I stil use a little 4oz dessert dish as my bowl, and a tiny salad plate as my "plate" and even though I am hungrier/wanting more now, it is still pretty small portions![/quote']

Thanks Cowgirl Jane. I wonder how long before my esophagus pouch goes back to normal? I'm going to try that 2-3 oz trick and see if it works for me as well.

Hi

I have always felt that as we had the band we have learned to swallow correctly,chew our food properly and that we had in general learnt to eat correctly for wls.

I dont have a full signal.When I stick to the 2,5 to 3 oz Protein I am fine but when I eat just a little more I get pain.I also dont just eat protein.I have added little bits and bobs from the beginning,salad,cucumber,diced carrot,1 oz of sweetpotato (not all at the same time though just examples)

My surgeon does not make the sleeve very small 36 boogy I think.However,it shouldnt be a problem as it is easier to eat protein and a little veggies for fibre and green stuff.

It is early days for you yet so do try to stick to your diet.But you can eat 2 oz protein every 2-3 hours if that will fill you up better.You have to find the new way of eating that will work for you...forever.

Good luck.

I'm new to the sleeve, however when I had my leak check after surgery, the doctor did see some dialation where my lapband sat. He said that it could take anywhere from a month to several months to correct itself. Hopefully it won't affect your restriction much.