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Empty but restricted



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Soooo... I'm 4 months post op (11/04/15) and although per my nutritionist and surgeon I'm cleared to eat regular textures, I can't. I'm so frustrated with eating and chewing everything till mush. I haven't had a hot meal since I got banded. By the time I chew something up my food is cold and is even less appetizing. I'm so restricted it's depressing. Everything gets stuck . Big or small, liquid or solid...it gets stuck. My band is empty. I've never been adjusted. ..no need. I'm restricted just with the band placement. A meal should be between 4-6 oz but I'm stuck at about 2. I can keep fluids down but it takes forever to eat or drink anything. I saw my surgeon and he says that my band does appear to be tight but he can't empty it. There's nothing to remove. I admit that at times I still eat 2 fast or don't chew enough but whether I do or not everything gets stuck. I stick to Protein Shakes, yogurt and other soft stuff at work cause I can't run off to vomit every few minutes till the blockage is gone. Which brings me to the wicked acid reflux. GERD sucks. On a lighter note...I'm down 57lbs.

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I don't know if it would be a solution for you, but have you discussed with the surgeon the possibility of switching to a larger-capacity band?

My experience was different, but it may have some relevance. I had a 10cc band installed empty and I felt fine for the rest of the day. My medical plan required an overnight. Next morning, during the routine esophagram, I was unable to tolerate the barium; no drop of liquid would go down and trying was painful. My surgeon had me stay in-hospital so that I could be on IV. Her idea was to wait a little while in case the problem was swelling. With no improvement, we were back in the OR on day #4 to switch for a 14cc band. That solved the problem.

Again, I have no idea whether this might be a solution for you.

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That may be an option. I really don't know what to do. The goal with this surgery is to aid in weight loss but not through malnutrition or starvation. He's satisfied with the fact that I can still keep liquids down so I can get my nutrition through my Protein shakes and I can stay hydrated but my quality of life sucks. The only thing he could offer me was that he agrees that the band is tight but there's nothing to remove and that he thinks if I lost a little bit more weight it would help. I still have some fat around that area that will go away giving the band more room to expand on its own but if I continue with these eating issues he recommends removal

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    • 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

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      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

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    • 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!

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