None of you should be intimidated about asking questions of your surgeon. If you are afraid you will forget, write them down, and bring out your list when he/she comes in. Don't be afraid to ask! The doctor can't halp you if he/she doesn't know you are having a problem.
I had my first fill at 6 weeks. They make you sit for a while in the waiting room and drink water. I was burping a bit but that was all, so he let me go. By bedtime even water was giving me indigestion. They tell you to do liquids for 48 hours after a fill, so I hadn't had any solid food. By the next morning I was miserable, with my chest so tight I almost took myself to the ER. Instead I called the surgeon's office, emailed the nurse educator, and ended up meeting the doctor at the hospital after he was finished with surgery, and got an unfill. I originally got 3ccs, and he took out 1.5 to 2ccs. I could feel the pressure leaving my chest. Tried that for 2 weeks then saw him in the office. I told him I was doing okay with liquids and soft foods, but other stuff was bothering me. He took out another .5cc and I was okay. Sometimes you will get stuck no matter what. I had very little restriction after the second unfill, and had eaten ham steaks before with minimal problem (if I didn't chew thoroughly I would feel tight somewhat, but it would pass). This time I ate one, then some green salad, and then the pressure started. I again seriously contemplated a trip to the ER. Then the sliming began. I wasn't nauseated but when something is stuck for some reason you produce excessive saliva that has only one place to go--up and out. I spent about 2 hours back and forth to the restroom to spit up (I was at work) and then I was okay. And that was with maybe 1cc of restriction, if that. The next time I went in, thinking I needed a fill because I could eat more and was hungrier, the surgeon talked me out of the fill. I was still losing (down 7 lbs from previous visit) and was actually losing so well I was ahead of schedule for the band, RNY, and
sleeve. He was okay with my eating more because I still was losing (he even said it would be okay to gain a few--okay with him maybe, not with me!). So I didn't get the fill, and went home to work on identifying my head hunger, and making sure, even though I was eating more,that it was good stuff and not junk. Some people need several fills, others not as much. I never would have predicted my success as I have never lost much more than 20 or 30 lbs in any previous attempt. I am really committed to this, so I stay away from most snacks (I have Kay's Naturals, protein chips, kind of like Fritos, and sugar free popsicles if I have an urge for something sweet). The band won't do it alone, nor will the fills. You still have to make good food choices.
I do urge all of you that have experienced being stuck to tell your surgeon, even if it delays your fill. Less problems in the long run. Good luck on your journey.
