I'm 4 weeks post-op and still on liquids only. Lately I've noticed that I can feel "something" when I wake up in the morning even before I drink my Protein shake. It's right where I'm guessing my band is. Not pain or anything, but kind of like restriction, even on an empty stomach. It might have something to do with a chest cold I've been slooooowly getting over for the last two weeks (post nasal drip? Ugh) but I'm not sure. I also took myself off Prevacid a week ago because I no longer take the NSAIDs that I used to live on for arthritis pre-band, and the NSAIDs were why I needed Prevacid.

This may sound dumb, but when you sleep all night, does your band move down a little? All day long I expect that gravity holds the stomach in the right spot for the band, but what about when you're prone for 7 hours? I've read how people have tightness in the morning. Why does that happen?

Thank you all for any feedback. I feel like I'm living with a little alien inside me, and just want to learn more about it and treat my little E.T. with T.L.C.

Two more weeks until solid food, then four days later will be my first fill. Woo hoo!

Your stomach would change positions slighly due to the lengthy time you are prone. Guess it could cause a slight swelling until youre up and around. Could be why my nutritionist/coordinator suggests we "wake our bands up" in the am with something warm. I do that and have no problem. But, most here say they can't really eat in the morning. I can, but admittedly, I don't keep my band as tight as some.

I know many people say their band is tight in the am and it's hard for them to eat anything, but I haven't experienced this, but much like SandyM, my band isn't as tight as others so I'm assuming that's why. My surgeon also told me it's cause from Fluid you've retained over night and once you get up and moving about, fluids etc. that some of that comes off, relocates etc.

Nasal drip can cause the lining of the stomach at the stoma to swell.

If you are congested, that mucus will give you the sensation of a tighter band as it sticks around the stoma. A decongestant and/or mucus liquifier will help greatly with this. A hot beverage will also flush out the mucus from the stoma, clearing the path for your Breakfast.

I've also read that bands seem tighter in the morning due to the build up of Fluid that naturally occurs when we are horizontal. (This also explains puffy eyes in the morning, and slimmer ankles...). Once up and about, the fluid will move downwards (see ankles, but sadly this time they evolve into cankles) which makes the band seems looser.

Thanks, everybody. I think it's what all of you said -- a combination of simply morning swelling and the fact that I had/have this cold lingering and am still mucous-y. As the cold gets better day by day, the feeling is less intense when I wake up. I took the advice of "something warm" to clear the stoma, and that seems to help as well. I've been on Robtussin every day for the last two weeks as well. Interestingly, since my band was placed, but especially the last two weeks, sleeping late seems to be a thing of the past for me. I'd love an occasional luxurious late morning in bed, but the latest I can manage is about 8am on a weekend, even if I get to sleep well after midnight. Oh, well. Not really a problem, is it? More time to get my butt moving and enjoy life! LOL