Is band to full. HELP

[MichelleStevens 18]

I've had my band for over two years now. I had two fills early this year, first ones I've had since having the band put in. I have a total of 1cc of Fluid in my band. Lately I've been having trouble in the morning with my greek yogurt. I can eat my oatmeal and not have any problem, but if I try to eat my yogurt first I get that stuck feeling. It feels like my stomach shrinks over night. I've not been able to eat certain kinds of beef. Steak and roast are off my menu now. I had to switch to dark meat chicken, because chicken breast gets stuck. I've got to the point where I'm terrified to eat anymore. I never know whats gonna go down or get stuck. Do you think that my band might be to full.

[KateP 359]

Yes, I think it may be! All of the things together suggest it is too tight. I wouldn't be too worried about morning eating being hard - that is quite common. But if there are other things as well....

Steak can be difficult one as well, so I wouldn't judge by that.

But you should be able to eat moist meat, well-chewed without problem.

How often do you have problems? Are you chewing well? Are there many foods you can't eat?

[Julie norton 2,850]

I agree with Kate. For me, Breakfast is not till later.

Just like you, beef and chicken breast don't work well staying down.. Chicken thighs do, so I am grateful.

This is a real learning as we go adventure...

Even years later, sometimes my tolerance for some food changes.

Hopefully, not while I'm out!

Fish seems to work for me the most consistently...

Check in with your doctor, but you know your stomach the best.., keep trying...????

Ps. Yes on my stomach shrinking overnight also???some say Fluid drains as we lay down... I dunno!

[MichelleStevens 18]

Thank you for the information. I have an appt on the 12th. I will talk to the doctore and see what he thinks. It was just troubling me in the morning mostly. I think sometimes my problem is I am hungry and I dont chew the first bites completely. I was so used to not having to chew my food to liquid form for 2 years and then I went and had 2 fills and now I am terrified to eat half the time.

[B-52 7,113]

I can't eat anything in the morning....have to take my smoothie slow and easy.

I have my theories why that is, but that's another topic...

As we get fills and restriction, our eating has to change also..cannot hold onto the old habits. Which is good IMO, the old eating habits is what made me fat.

The new eating habits did just the opposite. Pretty simple, although after a lifetime of bad habits, it's can be hard letting go.

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi there, glad you have an appointment to discuss this with your surgeon. People have different comfort levels as far as restriction. The band is designed to dim the appetite, not to prevent foods from going down. That said, we all have our foods that don't go down well. Many people can't tolerate apple peels. Slippery foods were problematic in the beginning for me because I let them go down too fast before they were chewed well enough. I was such a gobbler and it took me a long time to learn how to really slow down and listen to my body. I mostly cook with chicken thighs now or I pound the chicken. If I'm out I avoid chicken completely because reheated chicken doesn't work for me and I have worked in enough restaurant kitchens to know that it can be tough. It's just too fibrous for me. Beef has to be pretty soft and I chew it very well. I treat myself to a filet mignon once in a while -- figure we are saving so much on my measly little meals that I can have whatever I want. Fish always works and I love fish. And I don't really do Breakfast in the morning, although today I was hungry so I had my Greek yogurt with nuts and seeds, etc. If I'm hungry, I eat. If I'm not hungry, I don't eat. If I don't have mix-ins in my yogurt it is a slider for me. oatmeal is on my slider list as well. I have to have the chewing going on in order to achieve satiety.

[AussieSam 234]

I'm the opposite I'm finding less restriction now and it might be time for a fill I havnt had one in two years.

[lisacaron 5,075]

The best advice is going to come from the Dr. with only 1cc of Fluid in the band I would not think that you should have such issues. Though some are more sensitive than others when it comes to texture of certain foods, after 2 years to suddenly be having such an issue, I would want to have the Dr. check the flow through the stoma under fluoroscopic and as well as the position of your band.

Sometimes a fill can cause swelling and irritation and goes away after a few days to a week. My retired Dr. used to say to stay on liquids to mushy for a week and then go back to soft and solids. My Dr. now says liquids for the day and foods then as tolerated mushy soft solid.

Let us know how you are doing OK?