Hello everyone, I got banded on November 11, 2004 and have lost at least 30 lbs. It is going great, except for getting used to the fills. This is hard to figure this out. I just had my 2nd fill on Wed. the 9th of Feb. I can't even drink water without it hurting. Is this normal?? When I had my first fill it did the same thing and I had to go get some taken out. But then I only lost 2 lbs over a three week process. My first fill was 1.2cc and one week later he removed .2cc and last Wednesday he added 1.6 cc, so I am at a total of 2.6 cc on a 10cc band. He did my fill through the e-ray machine and showed me that I still have a flow going on but it sure doesn't feel like it. It seems to have gotten worse since my fill. The day of the fill wasn't this bad. It just keeps getting worse. Why does it hurt like that? What, exactly is taking place to cause the pain?? Thank you for any advise you can give. (oh yea, I have only had one "PB" and that was last night and it was because I hurt so bad, I made myself throw up)

Sounds like you are too tight and may need some removed..even though you were fine the day of your fill, it is not uncommon for your fill to tighten over time.. some fills can take a few days to kick in. You should not be in pain drinking water. You really need to call your Dr....do not wait, you do not want to do damge to your band or your esophagus.. Good Luck

I agree with Michele, unless (and this is ONLY if you are able to drink Water and keep it down) the problem is really that your bites are just too big. How are you with softer foods? Can you eat, say, a yogurt without pain?

If smooth and soft foods present no problem, then my guess is that you haven't mastered the art of bandster mastication (chewing things to an absolute pulp). Pieces that are literally the size of a pencil eraser can cause pain when going through the stoma. If one is new to the sensation of restriction it's very easy to cause oneself pain by not chewing carefully enough.

Maybe you're gulping the water? I've noticed, just recently, that for the first time in my 18-month banded life I can't chug water. I just have to take smaller sips and let time pass between each one. And my last fill was almost two months ago!

If you're getting nutrition and liquids in without trouble, an unfill may not be necessary. Try REALLY taking tiny bites, and chewing well, and chewing even better than that. It really does take a lot of getting used to.

Good luck, and please let us know how you're doing!

When you drink, are you taking small sips? Sometimes when I take a BIG gulp, I have pain!

And what about when you drink warm liquids... like tea or coffee? Painful?

hmmm... I would call my surgeon and see what his opinion is - just to be on the safe side.

I'm sorry to hear that you have been having trouble. I hope that you're able to take in water without pain soon. If not, you should probably call you doctor. I hope that you'll be on the road to a happy band place real soon!

Thank you all for the advise,I am having trouble with just water and I am sipping it. I'm going to call my doctor this morning and see if I can get in and have some removed. This web site is the best and every one is so friendly and helpfull. I will keep you posted! Thanks again soooo much!!

Good girl Tina, I think you need a little taken out too. We have some guidelines for needing fills somewhere on this sight if you search around a bit. I didn't get my first fill until 6 months out because I didn't think I needed it and I was still losing. That is uncommon to wait so long I guess but from what I have seen the biggest culprit to problems is being overfilled. Your throat could have gotten irritated with your latest fill and swelled some causing the tighter sensation. You should ALWAYS be able to drink water though (except for right after a meal). Best wishes and hope you get some relief. Teresa

Hey everyone, I went to the Dr. and he removed .3cc. WOW!!!! what a difference! I can drink and eat a little now. It is amazing how much better I feel. I lost 8 pounds in one week. That is too much, too quick!! Thanks for all the support and advise!!!

So glad you got that fixed so easily.

I would have died I think... I am just recovering from a lame situation and had a hard time eating. It was because of canker like sores in my throat brought on by a virus. I've had a cold for weeks but I suddenly got those sores a few days ago. Yesterday was so miserable because it was hard to swallow. Needless to say, eating was painful and I stuck to mushy type things. I can't imagine being stuck to liquids for many days. Of course I had to after banding and that was difficult enough. I MUST NEVER GET OVERFILLED... I'll have to chant that.

What does "PB" stand for, please?

I'm not sure what the words are, but I know it is when you throw up,

What does "PB" stand for, please?

Productive burp.

Tina, I'm so glad you were able to get an adjusment and that you're feeling better! :D

Thank you!! I am doing great, no pain at all but still limited on my food intake!! Now that I have figured this one out, I go back in a week for another one! Whew, what a ride!!!!