How do you know if you are too tight?

October 22, 2003

Hi,

How do you know if you are too tight vs. hitting the sweet spot. I have 3.25 cc in my band, at 3 cc I was still able to eat as much as I wanted, whatever I wanted as long as I ate slowly. My Dr. then put in another .25 cc and I can hardly eat anything. I PB almost everything I eat. I can drink liquids though and sometimes I can eat fish and chicken but that's about it.

Alexandra · October 22, 2003

Wow, it never fails to amaze me when I hear someone say that so little fill can make such a difference. I know it's true, but it's amazing nonetheless.

Beyond the extreme of being completely obstructed, I think what is "too" tight is a matter of perception. For some people, what you describe would be unbearable and they'd have to have it adjusted for their peace of mind. Others seem to thrive on that level of restriction, because it keeps them -- forcefully -- from overeating. Your doctor will have an opinion, too, of course.

If you can eat solids sometimes and have no trouble with liquids, you won't starve or become malnourished. If you're having frequent PBs or vomiting episodes, that's something you need to address, but it may not be purely a function of your level of restriction. What happens when you eat even more slowly and carefully?

Many people attest that their level of restriction changes back and forth over time, from day to day or week to week. In addition, restriction can seem to lessen because as people learn how to eat with the band there's less going in that will create a problem. I know I've experienced that myself.

So you may want to give it a little more time and see if it eases up a little, for whatever reason. But PLEASE be very careful and try to avoid barfing in the meantime.

donali · October 22, 2003

"Too tight" is different things to different people. It really depends on the individual to determine what "too tight" is.

If you are unable to keep down liquids, regardless of who you are, than you are TOO tight. You can let this go for maybe a day, but if by day 2 you still cannot get down liquids, then you have to call your doc, and probably get an unfill.

Some people can get down liquids, but nothing else. This is where "too tight" depends on the person. Some people use this opportunity to do liquids for a couple of weeks, and as they lose weight they find they are able to move to mushes, and then solid foods. This is for the experienced only - people who are really paying attention to be sure they are getting in their electrolytes and adequate hydration. This is a CALCULATED period that someone would consciously choose. These people are not falling into "soft food" syndrome - they are not boosting their caloric intake with high calorie liquids and mushes. They are concentrating on losing weight.

For most people, however, being unable to eat solids without PBing is too tight. Most people want to be able to eat at least something. For people who are resorting to soft foods because real food is giving them problems, they are too tight.

If you are PBing daily, you are either too tight, or not chewing enough/eating slowly enough. If chewing better/eating slower still results in a PB, you are too tight. If you can chew better/eat slower without PBing, but DON'T, then you are too tight.

Please remember that PBing is the number one cause of slippage. It is to be avoided at all costs. If you cannot keep solid food down chewing as well and eating as slowly as you are willing, then you are too tight.

If you are not happy with the little amount that you are able to eat, and it frustrates you, then you are probably too tight.

You should not spend more than 30 minutes eating at one time - many will say a max of 20 minutes. After that time period, you should remain satisfied for at least 3 to 4 hours.

October 23, 2003

Thank you guys so much. You gave great adice. I've lost 18 pounds since I had my fill on Oct 3rd because I haven't been able to eat anything. I am going to try only high Protein liquids for a few days and see if it will help. Maybe my esophagus is swollen because of the PBing. If that doesn't help I will go in and get an unfill.