Hi everyone,

I was banded on Dec. 1, 2008 and have had 3 fills since then. I had my last fill almost 2 weeks ago and have had some issues and was curious if anyone had any suggestions.

Since the fill periodically I have had the gurgling, and just can't seem to get much food in. I don't have this happen all the time, its spuradic. Maybe one day dinner is hard and when I eat just a little bit I get a tight feeling and the gurgling. I am thinking its irritation, but not sure if it means I am to tight.

I am getting a little concerned because I have never had this before with any of my other fills. I am concerned that I'm not eating enough and not sure if this is normal.

Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Jennifer

Hi Jack -

Yah since the gurgling started I have been recording what I am eating. Getting about 800-1000 calories per day on a good day. If its a tight day and it last all day then maybe 600-800 per day. I am getting 70+ Proteins in each day, which is being done with 2 Protein shakes including the actual solid Protein I eat. Doing good with my carbs and been averaging about 50-80 per day.

The thing that worries me the most is on my bad days I really am not eating a lot of solid food. I do more Soups and liquids then solid. Like last night with a lot of struggling I barely got a baked skinless chicken drum in and about 2 spoons of sweet potato's. Then another example is my mom made homemade vegetable beef Soup and I maybe only eat about 4 spoons full. My mom and dad are worried I'm not eating enough, so because she mentioned it I got nervous.

I am probably just a little paraniod and being new to this I don't really know what is ok and what would indicate a problem.

jenni, it's great that you're keeping a food log, so you can get a better picture of how you're doing meal wise. If you continue to have problems with solids on a routine basis, you might just need to have a teeny bit of saline removed. Even .1 or .2 could do the trick for you.

Especially in the early stages, I found my band loosened two weeks after my fills as the weight dropped off. Others have said that their bands tighten up after two weeks, so it's very individual.

If, going forward, you find you're getting more and more dependent on soft foods, I would definitely consider talking to my doctor about a small unfill. I really don't think any of this indicates a problem. It's just a tweak in your band adjustment that may be necessary.

Thanks Kiz -

Yah I decided to journal because I really am trying to learn about my eating habits, what's working for me and so forth. I was thinking that I might need a small unfill. What confuses me is its not consistent. I can go a couple of days without any issues and then I have a bad day or 2. That's another reason why I'm journalling because I am hoping maybe I will notice something that is irritating me and then I can avoid it.

I decided today to go on liquids for the next day or so and see if that corrects the issue. I've been told if my band gets inflamed and such that going to liquids will resolve that. So I am going to try that and if that doesn't help then I think I will go and see the doctor.

The other thing I realized was that I have had some sinus drainage because I have a sinus infection, and others have told me that can make it difficult, so that might be it too.

Guess I am just unsure just because I am new and haven't experienced this before so not really sure what to look for or what indicates a problem or needing of an unfill.

Thanks!

Jennifer

That's really good advice, Jack.

Going on liquids for a couple of days may very well do the trick. At least you'll know that any swelling you might have experienced should subside. It's really terrific that you're so organized with your journaling. Another thing to consider is that some women have problems with tightness during TOM.