Confused

[Banded in Bear Lake 8]

Hello, I have a question - I have not had a fill since 2012 - Since then it seems like I go in streaks. Some days I can eat and it goes down fine, no problems other days I cannot eat anything - everything gets stuck sometimes I cannot even get fluids down. The last two years have been extremely stressful and I wrote alot of it off to stress and it effecting my band, but my life has been getting back to normal and i am still having issues. I have no pain it is just frustrating to be able to eat really good for two days and then not be able to get anything to stay for two days. I was losing steadily but I have hit a plateau.

Also it seems like when I know I am going to be eating with a group of people I cannot eat. On Easter I had very little to eat and none of it stayed with me. My husband says it is my nerves. I do not know if I get anxious because it takes me longer to eat than anyone else (I have not shared with people the fact that I have had lap band surgery).

My husband says I should go to my doctor but it is so expensive and if I was too tight wouldn't I not be able to eat all the time???

I would appreciate your thoughts and advice on this issued.

Thank you

Banded in Bear Lake

[Jim1967 3,569]

Hi Darlene,

I have to agree with your husband. Maybe you should talk to the Doctor. If it has been a long period of time since you've had a check up than it would be worth it for the sake of your health, especially band health. Maybe they can do a Fluoroscopy to make sure all is well along with a barium swallow to see how things pass through your band.

On the days you have issues what are you eating and how quickly are you eating it? Is there a specific food causing issues? Or can you eat something one day and not be able to eat the same thing the next day?

It does not sound to me like you are too tight but my speculation is based on your information. Sounds like maybe you are not chewing enough and eating slow enough at certain times. Stress could also be a factor. If I am stressed my band tends to be a little tighter. Also, I am one of those who are tight in the morning fresh out of bed. Some foods I just cannot tolerate and will not pass through my band. Steak is very tough for me and rice..forget it. I get stuck every time I try and eat rice so I gave it up.

Hope you figure it out soon so you can get on track. it is a process but getting stressed will not help your situation....I know easier said then done.

Good luck!

[kll724 3,055]

Hi, Jim and your hubby are right. you need to see the doctor. It is not normal to be having the problem you are having. Make sure that you haven't had a slip. If it has been 2 years since your appt or even 6 months, you should go to get an update on you!Best wishes.

[Mikee57 699]

Darlene I must agree with all on this post...you need to go see your doctor...I don't believe it is your nerves at all. Please call him/her today!!!

Edited April 25, 2014 by Mikee57

[rigonj 103]

I'm actually having the same problem the past 2 days. Yesterday I threw up everything I ate. Even my Protein Shake. I've never had that happen before so of course I was freaking all day and night that I had a slip. I did call the doctor today and they asked if I was stressed and I told them not more than normal but I am getting over a sinus infection. They said to give it a couple more days before coming in and see how I feel. I didn't exercise last night or this morning because my band actually hurt. I've never had a day where I couldn't eat anything. Today I'm getting my Protein shake down with no problem so hopefully it was just inflamed and there isn't a slip. It's crazy how finicky our bands are. I hope you start feeling better. My insurance requires me to go every year for a barium swallow so on my 1 year band anniversary in July I'll find out if anything is out of wack. Best of luck to you

[2muchfun 8,927]

I'd add a visit to your nutritionist too.