Why does the band fluctuate?

[chichi 0]

Why does the band seem tighter some days and not tight on others. I have had one fill and sometimes my band feels too tight and I have pressure and bp. I also burp and hic-up, A LOT. It is so frustrating. Other days I can eat a regular size meal or bread or whatever I want. I don't understand. Also at night I wake up choking on reflux. It's terrible. I could understand why it would happen soon after a fill but I had my one and only fill in January 2007.

I have to admit that I had my surgery in a different city and I go to no support group of any kind. I know I need to but just haven't sought one out.

Does anyone else have problems similar to these?

[JessyInSD 0]

Hi Chichi,

You have very common symptoms. I was told by my doctor that mornings you are tighter because your hormone levels are higher which contribute to inflammation. (not sure which ones though).

The reflux is a symptom of an irritated esophagus and an overly tight fill. Best way to ease that is to go on liquids for a few days to allow the esophagus to heal. I'm having the exact same issue right now. As much as I hate the idea of going on liquids I need to. I'm just dreading going to sleep every night.

You can also get an slight unfill which will help with the reflux.

Best of luck,

Jessy

[Betsyjane 2]

I just had a slight unfill. My band was much tighter while I am going through a lupus flare up. Inflammation......

I also wonder though if people who have a too tight band feel like they can eat alot if they've stretched or overloaded their pouches so more food goes in (not necessarily through). No one has said that to me...just a thought.

Anyway, I like to be really tight, but I was tight enough that I was starting to reflux and slime. So I'm minus .3 today...my one year anniversary!

[wombat712 2]

before my last fill I was tighter in the morning than the rest of the day. I could eat tortillas in the morning and would slime for an hour. If I ate the same thing for lunch or dinner I wouldn't have any trouble.

I was just filled 2 days ago and I have great restriction. I eat very little before getting full. It really just helps to slow down on the eating (I know - sometimes that's really hard to do when we get SO hungry). I do pause between bites now to "check" how things are going before putting in the next bite. I know that I need to just listen to my body more rather than my stomach or head when it comes to food.

Good luck to you!

[annieM 2]

I have the same issues with a varying amount of restriction. Very tight in the morning, a bit less by noon and more open for dinner. Before my TOM my band is so tight I can barely eat anything, but a few days after it's back to the usual pattern. It becomes hard to say if I am at my sweet spot, because I'm not losing, I've even gained a bit, but since sometimes I can't eat anything, I can't get more of a fill. Very frustrating. It's my band-anniversary and I'm no where near my goal, but I have lost some that I was unable to lose before banding.

I agree with wombat that it is important to listen to your body while eating. Since restriction varies so much, every meal is a new ball game. I'm learning but I still pb a couple times a week.