Okay so I had my 5th fill last monday. I had trouble getting my protein down that night, never feeling that much restriction before. I got over that and thought that the trouble might get better. I got sick with a sinus infection in the meantime and I thought that might have something to do with not being able to eat, because of all of the mucus. I have been getting stuck on nearly everything. I am having trouble getting broccoli cheese soup, extremely watered down, down. I have no idea if I am too tight or not. I have all ideas that I am. I just didn't know if I should go with the tightness or if I should get a slight unfill. I tried to eat a few bites of chili mac tonight and it got stuck. I was fine for a while with it being stuck. I sat at the computer and then I felt the sudden urge to puke! Of course I feel better, but now even the soup is not going down too well. I just wanted to know if anyone else has gone through this. I want to know if I am too tight. Please let me know so that I don't have to be in this much pain any longer. Any feedback is welcome!

It sounds like you have too much restriction. I would definitely let your surgeon know. I have been having the same problem since January - where I would have a fill, be fine, and then have to go back for an unfill. During these times, I felt in a sense that I had forced bulimia because I was vomiting all the time. Today, I had a barium swallow and was diagnosed with a concentric dilatation and a possible slip. Not sure what my course of treatment will be yet. But my point is, I believe it can lead to other problems. Just talk with your dr.

Hill

banded 3/31/08 - 282 lbs.

8/25/09 - 130 lbs.

Thank you Hill I will be calling them in the morning!

If it were me, I'd try doing just liquids (not with broccoli; it's pretty fibrous) for 24 hours and see. If you can't get Water down right now, you have an emergency. If you can get it down, and your doc is open on Friday, you can wait 24 hours and give your stomach and band a chance to settle down, because it's possible you're swollen from being stuck and keep getting "re-stuck" and agitating the band.

Also my nutritionist says all Pasta must be well done because it continues to absorb liquid. If you eat it and it swells in your pouch, that will be uncomfortable at least. Of course, do what your doc says; this is just a tip.

I have had four fills and every time my dr says I must be on liquids for the following 48 hrs. Also, a tip another bandster (who is a nurse) gave me when I repeatedly tried to force myself to eat when I had gotten stuck, is to eat only crushed ice or those no-sugar icy popsicles; everything gets swollen when you continue to PB, the ice gets the swelling down. Of course, the most important thing is to talk to your doctor, but the frozen stuff helps until you can. Good luck.

I haven't even had my first fill but my doctor says to go back on liquids for 24 hours. Call your doctor just to be on the safe side.

Personally I would stick to warm liquids. Cold liquid or iced drinks tend to be alot harder to go down for me. Room temp or warm liquid may be the best. As they say, the band is fickle. Just be sure to be able to get water down...so important!

SCTexasgirl, we have the same doc and band month and I know what he would say, come in for an adjustment!!!!!

Please let us know how you are doing!!!!

Mimi

This is a direct quote from the instruction sheet my doctor gives me after every fill:

Colds, allergies, respiratory infections and sinus drainage can cause mucous to plug the opening in the stomach (stoma); you may drink warm liquids before meals to help dissolve the mucuous plug.

As RestlessMonkey said, if you can't get Water down, go to the doctor now!

Parrot,

Thanks for that mucus tip; I have had a sinus infection for the last two weeks--just finished my antibotic. Maybe that's why I've had such a problem eating.