Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

help me, guys - should I go in for an unfill ?



Recommended Posts

I am at my fourth fill now and I think it's a bit too tight. I PB a lot. And I can't seem to eat anything without it feeling like it's going to come back up. It burns right when I'm eating, and I'm down to 1,100 calories a day. Drinking is no problem. coffee, diet cokes, etc., all fine. I am eating mostly soft stuff now.

BUT, I am losing weight, so I'm tempted to leave it as is and hope the band loosens up a bit over the next few weeks.

Do you think the band will eventually loosen up? The reason I went in for the fourth fill was because I was starting to be able to eat everything in great quantities and was getting quite hungry. That sure isn't the case now.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

getting just the right fill is hard i think. im always a bit too tight at first, but i dont think you should be puking and risk damage to the stomach, and we are supposed to eat solid foods. the fact that you are losing weight is great. personally i would wait and see if you relax a bit. but i would also call and ask the doctor what he thinks? how much weight have you lost? if you are drinking Protein Shakes and lots of fluids than you should be able to keep up your energy. be careful and dont go too long with it too tight. good luck. im not much help, my band has a mind of its own. somedays tighter than others. i think maybe stress makes me tight. oh well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree. Once I went in for a slight unfill after a week and then 3 weeks later needed another fill. I had a fill 2 weeks ago and I'm tight right now but it will relax.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

coffee, diet cokes, etc., all fine.

I can't help with the fill question but does your dr. know you are drinking diet cokes???? My doc said that carbonated drinks are the one thing that can never cross our lips again. It goes through the stoma, sits in the stomach and fizzes and can actually cause the stomach or pouch to burst and/or the pouch to be damaged by slippage or erosion or expansion. BIG problem!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree, becareful that your band does not slip.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello out there, I got a fill in April the 10th actually. I found it to be very restrictive. I am on my second fill now, the first didnt' make that much difference. So this one really is, I have gotten pretty sick with it and very limited as to what I can eat. When I called the doctor he wasn't in, But they suggested that I do Protein Drinks and liquids for a few days to see if it calms down the stomach, and it did, and was fine for awhile now I am getting sick alot again, the bright side is I am losing weight again. I am trying to tolerate the fill and not go for an unfill. I have no problems with some stuff, I can eat mashed potatoes with ff gravy and a veggie with that, I can eat pea Soup. the Habitant, that is good with me. I am hoping the the band does loosen up a bit on its own. It can be very frustrating . I sure don't look at food the way I used to. I am just thankful when there is something that I can actually get down and at that point it tastes sooooo good. Keep in touch and feel free to write, Donna aka Mammysm@aol.com

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine too. He's been doing them in other countries since 1985 and has done over 7000 and said his wife has been banded since 1995 and drinks one a day and no problem. He said there is no way that carbonation is going to stretch your stoma. Your band in on the outside of it. He says drink on if you like them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am on my 2nd fill and feel exactly the same. I am tight, but I think I need it this tight to lose weight. I'm trying to figure out what I can and cannot eat, how much etc. I have gotten stuck quite a few times, but it's getting better now after 5 days, and I have lost 4 pounds (and had only lost 5 in the 3 weeks prior, and none before that). I think it's hard to get to that perfect place.

Gretchen

banded 2/23/07

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was in the same boat as you for about 14 months. I lost about 65lbs doing it that way. When you PB is it really easy? Like with me I just bent over and it would come out. So there was no risk of hurting my band.. or so I thought. Everyone on this site pretty much talked me into getting an unfill. I did and I now feel great. Its only been a week. I have not lost any weight this week, but I have lots of energy. I have mental clarity as well. I only consume 1400 calories a day and I do exercise. I'm going to see how it goes. What the hell I can always get more put back in. But I can't afford another band if I mess this one up. I'm 10 lbs till goal so I'm going to try eating right and exercise on the last leg of this trip. GOOD LUCK... You do what you think is right for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×