Tighter band with smaller me

[silly_weasel 39]

I was always under the impression that as I lose weight, my band would get looser, and I would have to have it tightened to continue to lose weight. However, the opposite seems to be happening to me. Back in March I was having trouble drinking fluids and my doctor had to take some Fluid out. Everything was fine for a couple of months. But now again...having trouble sipping Tomato Soup. I mean, I'm pleased that I continue to lose weight. But I'm afraid it's not healthy for my body....I can't eat any solids, and so have trouble getting Protein in. Drinking is not very comfortable either anymore...especially for the first couple of hours in the morning.

[2muchfun 8,927]

That is unusual. You have every right to be concerned since slips can cause us to feel tighter. Any reason to suspect a slip?

Sorry, not trying to alarm you but I'm sure the thought crossed your mind?

Sometimes I'm concerned my pouch or esophagus is dilated. But, then I'll have a minor stuck episode with just one bite. If my pouch was dilated seems like I could consume at least 4-5 bites before I felt some resistance? So, I'm satisfied my pouch is OK.

So, I think we all look for those signals that something odd is going on and some people just assume it's a slip or erosion or some other traumatic issue. You're pretty calm about your oddity?

[silly_weasel 39]

Back in March, when this first happened, I was freaking out! I researched dilation and slipping. From everything I learned, it seems that I would be able to eat more, not less and also have heartburn. I don't have either. Plus, when my doctor did an X-ray, he said the band looked fine...was just a bit tight. This time I'm trying to remain calm and do liquids/softs for a few days. If it doesn't improve, I will make another appointment. I was just wondering if it ever happened to anyone else.

[2muchfun 8,927]

One would think a reason would be that your stomach lining got thicker? Maybe retaining more blood? I read someone else's post today that they have to have saline removed every spring due to allergies causing excess mucous which can cause the lining of the stomach to swell?

I'd bet a gastroenterologist could answer the question? I love my surgeon but sometimes I think the guy is myopic and can't see the forest for the trees? He's a good surgeon but I feel like I'm speaking to someone who has no idea what I'm experiencing sometimes? Specialist who understand a particular organ in the body seem to know so much more than surgeons or PCPs.

I remember about 15 years ago my wife had incredibly bad breath. She constantly complained about this bad metallic taste in her mouth. Her PCP, Dentist, GYN had no answer for her. I played tennis with some docs and one was a gastroenterologist and I brought it up one day on the court. He immediately said she had some kind of Pyloric germ. She went in to see him and he gave her some pills and Voila, problem solved. I've got other orthopedic examples but you get the idea? Sorry to babble/ramble.

[ms.lissa 4]

this tightening sensation is precisely what am going through with no fill yet and 3mo into my band. I am scheduling to see my dr hoping its not a slip...cant eat rice or Pasta or thick Soups andfluids very uncomfortable. ..am still loosing the weight 39lbs so far

[send2steph 26]

Now that the weight is coming off at a steady rate for me, I'm monthly cycle has resumed a normal pattern. I've also noticed that I'm tight as part of my PMS. Just thought I'd bring it up in case your cycle has changed as well and could be causing this.

[KateP 359]

This is actually not all that unusual! Some people are more prone to develop scar tissue than others. In extreme cases, it can necessitate band removal but more commonly it just makes the band slightly tighter and can be dealt with by a small amount of saline being removed.

It gas happened to me twice. Once at about 4 years post-op and once at about 6 years post-op, both times I had a tiny amount out (0.1cc) and the orbiemroblem was sorted. The iast time was almost three years ago. If it carries on at that rate, I will be around 100 by the time it is totally empty! But for some people it is a major problem.

It now ranks high as a band complication.

[div95008 0]

Hi, I had my lapband in 2006, and lost all my weight except 20 lbs, but was ok with it. Then I found out I was pre-diabetic (runs heavily in my family) and that prompted me to drastically reduce my carbs, with the byproduct of losing 28 lbs. I had been steady prior to losing this weight, and hadn't had a fill in over a year. After losing the additional weight, I became a lot tighter, which really surprised me. It was so drastic that for a while I thought I was going to have to have some taken out, but it loosened up some, although I still am tighter than I used to be.

So this must happen to some people.

[KateP 359]

I'm afraid it is not unusual as a previous poster has said. Over time scar tissue can build up around th band and cause it to tighten. This is beyond our control and is one of the known complications of the band.

It has happend twice to me in my nine years and both times a very small unfill sorted it out. Others are less lucky and need a total unfill or even removal.

You must see your doctor. From what you say, you are much too tight. Being too tight forand length of time puts pressure on the oesophagus and can cause damage.