I have been having problems with my sinuses, chest congestion and stuffy nose for the past week. Since that time, I have not been able to keep alot of food down. I have had several PB episodes despite chewing carefully and eating soft foods. I even Pbed off of yogurt the other night. Initially, I was hard headed b/c I could just not believe yogurt wasn't working for me so I continued to eat it. That just caused more PB, agitation and swelling which made the situation even worse. I have never experienced restriction this bad. My last fill was 10/8 so that can't be the issue. I saw on previous discussions where folks were saying that stress (holiday or I guess otherwise) can cause increased restriction. I don't consider myself to be currently more stressed than usual. I am thinking that it is more related to my cold/sinus issues. Anyone noticed increased restriction when they got a cold or other ailments? I have been basically surviving off of carnation instant breakfasts for past two days and i am abou to go crazy.

I have not been sick since I got the band (a miracle, I think it has to do with the vitamins I take now). I caught everything going around last year, colds, flus, strep, etc. etc.. This year, nothing!

That being said, I don't have allergies either. But at the in-laws on Christmas night, I was having allergies to something.. felt horrible, and never figured out what it was.. my nose itched incessantly, and my eyes were puffy and watery and sinuses hurt.. That lasted about 6 hours till we left and got some benadryl from the gas station. Anyway, it didn't do anything to my band. I had dinner that night.

Since I am a smoker, I have flem in the morning (yuck, right?) and despite the fact I can't even get liquids down in the mornings, I have no problem with the flem. heh heh.

Hopefully this isn't too much detail, but it's an issue of mucus... you probably have a bit of a nasal drip going, and that blocks everything up.

I talked to my lap band doctor about this exact problem last week, because I also get sinus infections at least twice a year and he said that the mucus sort of creates like a plug in the stoma and that if it does, to drink pineapple juice which I guess sort of breaks it up and warm soups help too... I'm not banded of course, so I'm not the all knowing person on this, but I did ask him this particular question at my visit because I've read about others having this problem when they have drainage as well.

My sinuses really affect me, I can hardly eat when they get bad, my doc says it does fill you up (gross i know, but true). Mucinex helps me alot. Hope you get to feeling better!

my doc says that a cold, etc. is like getting a fill. i had never noticed that until now. i have 6.5cc's but i have no restriction yet HOWEVER....i am getting pneumonia again (i'm becoming an expert at that)..and i started being able to eat less about 3 days ago..today..i can't hardly eat anything. and my band is hurting even though i do not have any food in my belly (could be my chest..band...not sure).