Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Scary overfill experience



Recommended Posts

I went for my fourth fill this past week. I needed a small fill. I knew I was really close to my sweet spot and just wanted a small tweak. I could eat more than I should still, I think. Didn't have too many trouble foods, and when I took it slow, I did alright. Anyway, the weather was horrible naturally, it decided to snow 4 inches on the day I have to drive 3 hours to Detroit. I was an 1.5 late to begin with because the traffic was so horrible. We crawled at 30mph all the way from north of Pontiac to Downtown Detroit on I-75.

I finally get there and see the doctor. He disagrees that I actually already have 6.5cc, as the chart had said. He takes out and takes out and takes out until he can't get anything else, measures what's there and gives me a .5cc fill to take me up to 7.0cc. I did some Water drinking and right away I knew it was too tight. After about a half hour they took out .25cc. That felt better, so I went home.

Well, here is where it gets scary. After about an hour drive, I start hurting again, it's too tight! I can't drink Water, I can't drink my shake I brought, I can't even keep my own spit down. I'm sliming and spitting into a coffe cup the whole way home. I figure I'm swollen from all the in and out they did and it would pass. NOPE!! All night long I was sick. I couldn't keep anything down, I couldn't even swallow. I called my ER in town and they told me not to bother coming in because they wouldn't treat me. So, I had to drive all the way back to Detroit the next day to have more removed. They took out a whole 1cc. I had to really push to not be unfilled all the way. I pretty much told them that I can't afford to start over. All that night after the little unfill I drank hot water, hot broth, coffee, etc. Cold things hurt badly. I think my esophagus was spasming also. It was horrible!! It felt like the pains I used to get when I was having a gall bladder attack, that tight band squeezed around my middle, squeezing on and off.

All in all, today I'm still sore. I hope I haven't caused a slip with all the retching and pbing. I have slowly started on some soft food. Soups and such. Had a couple of bits of chicken at lunch, but was sliming pretty bad. At least liquids are going down ok now.

I know this is a long post, but thought others might like to know what happens sometimes when the fills don't go right, and what can happen when you're too tight!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks, for your post, Jill. I am seriously considering whether or not I should get a very, very slight unfill but I'm worried about it because I've come to realize that getting a fill or unfill is so unpredicatable. Your post is another example of that. I'm so sorry to hear about the trouble you had. And add to that bad weather and a long drive to boot!

My last fill was Dec. 5th. I can only eat about 1 ounce of 'protein you can cut with a knife' (my doctor's words) and that's it. I read about people eating 3 ounces of meat and some vegetables and I think there is no way I could do that now. So that is the down side of where I am at fill-wise but I love being able to go 3 to 4 hours without being ravenously hungry. I feel fine, energy-wise so I think I am going to keep plugging along and not go in for an unfill.

Good luck to you. I hope you are feeling better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am sorry you are having such a problem. Wishing you health and fast healing for all the issues. Good luck

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow! Jill sorry this happened. Thanks for the post. I cannot believe one minute your good with your old fill and you get .5cc and your not good. That is really scary.

I just had a fill last week and I am really tight. I mean, I have never been this tight before. I am keeping liquids down and food, no issues. But is scares me sometimes to think that this could change. I am being very cautious and will go to the doctor if anything gets stuck or sliming.

Thank you for sharing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks all for your kind thoughts. I am much better today. I took it slow all the way until now. Cold things are still bothersome for some reason. I don't know how to describe it. I'm not getting the spasms anymore from it, but I can still feel something is sore in there. I drank a lot of Decaf coffee and hot tea just to get my liquids in me this past week. I've just today started drinking Water again. I feel plenty of restriction right now, but I have a feeling that will fade pretty quickly this next week. Can only eat a small amount at a time, and start hiccuping like crazy!!! I'm still looking forward to a small fill the end of February to get back up to where I was. I'll have to wait and see how it goes, I'm not thrilled about making an appointment just to have the weather turn to crap and have to drive through all that again, plus, they are changing my shift at work, so I'll have to take a day off now to go down there, instead of scheduling on a day off during the week. Maybe I can hold off until SPRING. If I start gaining though, I'll head down.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey! So sorry to hear about your experience. I am also over in snowy michigan, and got banded a few weeks after you. I am in the process of contemplating whether I want another fill.... still unsure... have 6.5 cc's and feel restriction about one meal a day... varies... and I still feel I eat more than I really should? BUT, the weight loss is pretty steady... ugggg.... now you have me thinking... hey, since you are in MI, would love to keep talking with you, and walk this journey with someone who started at the same time, at the same starting weight... how tall are you? I was thinking to change my goal to 160 too... hmmm... I am 5/5"... email me if you wanna continue to chat.. and THANKS for the post

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Check with your doc... if you are super inflamed, they may okay 3 tsp of baby motrin to be taken every 6 hours for a day or so to help with the inflammation after a too tight band. My doc gave the thumbs up as long as I take it along with Zantac to avoid irritation. It has made a HUGE difference for me in times of extreme inflammation and has made it so that I tolerate stuff in my tummy much better....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I thought I was almost at my sweet spot. Hubby said don't get a fill. I thought .25cc would be fine. This weekend as been a nightmere. Can't eat much and drinking to much better. Slimming all weekend. I'll be back there on Monday to have at least .10cc taken out. WHo would have figured 1/4cc would be too much.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's a very fine line between being too tight and just right.

I was too tight for one weekend. It felt like I had an elephant standing on my chest. I could feel the band squeezing my stomach. I only live 5 min from my dr. and was right back on Monday, thank goodness. It's very surprising that an itty bitty fill or unfill can make all the difference in the world.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the support. Great job on your weightloss. Funny thing- not eating much I'm not losing. Eating more when I felt better I was doing great.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, most people do say that. People think the less they eat, the faster they will lose. It seems people do lose better when they are eating at least 3 meals )even if they are small meals,) per day

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • 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!

    • 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. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×