Is this normal being painful after a fill?

tigk29 · November 19, 2004

I had my surgery August 23rd. My first fill was Tues November 16th. I was told to do liquids for 2 days and then food as tolerated. While doing liquids I had 5 episodes where I had BP. 3 were while I was drinking my Protein slowly, 1 was on OJ and the other 1 was when I took a Vitamin. I called the doctor and they told me to come in and have some saline removed. Last night and this morning I was doing great and had no problems getting anything down so I was second guessed going to the docs office today. Around 10:00 I attempted to try real food so I had some eggs. Because the band is tighter in the morning I had a Protein Shake for Breakfast and was going to do eggs as a snack. Well I took a very small bite of the eggs chewed it up real well and swallowed. It was atleast 15 till I was able to take another bite because it felt like the eggs were stuck. I took another bite, but was afraid of BP'ing because I could feel the eggs in my throat and it was starting to get painful. About an hour later I started to drink some Water because the pain started to go away.

Now I am scared to eat anything. I thought I was suppose to feel full in my belly with the band not like food was stuck in my throat and it was painful. Is this the way the band is suppose to make you feel or does it sound like it is overfull? Any suggestions would be helpful.

If I dont have the saline removed today I wont be able to do anything about it till after Dec 8th because of Thanksgiving and vacation.

New Hope · November 19, 2004

I responded to your duplicate thread.

La_madam · November 19, 2004

As little as getting .2 removed can make a huge difference. My Dr. would not allow me to be Pbing on Water or liquids, after a fill he makes us sit there and drink l;iquids in his office for a good 30 minutes to make sure. If you are filled too tight, waiting until after Dec 8th could be miserable for you and possibly do damage to your band and esophogus, I dont thin k you want that do you? Also being too tight does not always mean you will lose faster or lose more. In my opinion if I was unable to eat more then 1 bite of scrambled egss and feeling pain if I did.. If I was Pbing on liquids...I would go in for an unfill, just a slight one but that is me.

tigk29 · November 22, 2004

I went to the docs on Friday and he took out 1CC. I feel much better now and can still feel some restriction. I am very happy with it!

New Hope · November 22, 2004

So glad to hear that, Kim!

La_madam · November 22, 2004

Good News Kim, isint it amazing how little 1cc is but what an amazing difference it can make..good or bad? You did the right thing by having some removed. You will thank yourself for it in the long run. So many people think it is better to be tighter and they will lose faster but that is not always the case.. For me, the damage that can be done from being filled to tight is not worth any ammount of weight loss! Hope this fill ammount works well for you.

Iluvharleys · November 22, 2004

Glad to hear you are doing better Kim.

leatha_g · November 22, 2004

It is a common misconception that you will feel 'full' in your belly after banding. But, think about it. You're band is placed up under your esophagus, which is the bottom of your throat -above the belly. Unless you are eating soft foods that go around the band (eating AROUND the band) you will never feel that 'tummy' Thanksgiving full again. Your food should now stop high above the tummy and yes, to me, it definitely is in my 'throat'. I'm real glad you had some taken out as this intolerance to anything, even liquids is quite dangerous, both to you and your band.

Also, many many bandsters report an intolerance to scrambled eggs. If I try them, I mash them up very finely with my fork, like I did for my babies. Even then, they tend to 'settle' in your stoma, like potatoes do. Mostly, they're too uncomfortable to enjoy, so I rarely even try it anymore. In 18 months, I've pb'd about 6 times and eggs was one of my first culprits.

GeezerSue · November 23, 2004

Good advice. I get so frustrated when I read posts like yours because so many "newer" doctors are doing the surgery but not the patient education. You are NOT going to be full in your belly. The object of the band is to limit how much food you can eat. You will NOT be filling your stomach. And eggs

ARE tough because they never actually dissolve. Do you like soft-boiled eggs? Make one of those and just eat the yolk right now.

Many people can't eat solids early in the day and have to wait for the stoma to relax and open a little before eating solids. Read your booklet and read all the old posts and FAQ's so you know what to expect.

Good luck.