unfill or?

AthinnerDenise · 03-14-2008, 11:04 PM

It surprises me that people think that this is something that people have to put up with in order to keep losing.

I was too tight for awhile and I was miserable. I knew it was not normal. I had a slight unfill but it wasn't enough. I spent a month constantly sliming living on protein drinks and soup hoping it would loosen on it's own. It didn't and I went back and had another tiny unfill.

It's such a fine line between having exactly the right restriction and being too tight.

If you ( or anyone) is having problems, they need to see their doctor.

Why risk a slip, or other complications from being too tight? A slight unfill is way better than a complete unfill or worse yet, ending up having to have the band removed.
l

luzin susan · 03-14-2008, 11:09 PM

Thanks for the thoughts! I guess what throws me is that I can eat dinner,,,,no choking most of the time...about 1 cup or 1 1/2 cups of food without problems if I eat slow etc...the fact that it is just during the day is what confused me to be honest! I didn't know if it was normal to not be able to eat solids without pbing during the day,,,,I know now that it is NOT normal and although we do have more restriction during the day, not to the point of pbing on everything including protein shakes.,,,,I know this because others are saying this isn't happening to them. Thanks to you and everyone,,,I feel convicted in my removal of fluid,,,

Susan

AthinnerDenise · 03-15-2008, 01:31 AM

I am glad to hear you say that. There are many people who don't pb at all. I only did when I was too tight.

Right now I can eat anything I want, at any time of the day. I just can't eat very much, and I have to chew very well. In my opinion, that is the way the band is supposed to work.

anniemay · 03-15-2008, 10:43 PM

I have the exact same problem since my fill a 1 1/2 years ago, my girlfriend does the same thing. I don't do it all the time mainly if I go out
in public, since the surgery my nerves are horrible, but I know if I get it
unfilled or reversed I will be miserable because of weight gain, so what
do you do?!!!!!!!!!!
Anniemay

AthinnerDenise · 03-15-2008, 11:04 PM

You don't have to get completely unfilled. You just need to have a slight unfill. The smallest amount can make a huge difference. Since I did that, I have not thrown up in months. I can only eat a piece of meat about the size of the palm of my hand, so I know I have good restriction, but not tight enough to throw up.

luzin susan · 03-16-2008, 12:07 PM

I worry about getting an unfill of any kind although I know I have to! I ate last night 2 cabbage rolls (Healthy ones) which added up to a cup of food plus 1 1.2 cups of salad without choking at all. Night seems to be fine most days without much restriction at all,,I do control my choices at night,,I also feel so deprived from lack of solid food during the day that it makes it harder. I feel abnormal compared to most b/c once I stop choking for the day I can almost eat what I want so I am not sure about restriction (meaning I can eat a larger quanity then others it seems),,,,It is really a catch 22 as to stop choking all day I have to get a slight unfill but then I will be able to eat too much at night. Anyone else have this going on in the evening? I do watch it at night b/c I don't want to stretch anything or overeat too much but still others say that good restriction is getting full fast and if I unfill to stop pbing etc, I won't get full that easy when I do eat! What is a person to do!!!!!

juliegeraci · 03-16-2008, 03:00 PM

Susan, you are doing the right thing by getting a small unfill. I too PB quite often but am trying to slow that down but eating smaller amounts and bites, so far so good. Let us know how you do. Having a band too tight can easily lead to a slip so you are making the right decision. Good luck.

AthinnerDenise · 03-16-2008, 04:16 PM

I agree. The tiniest removal of saline can make all the difference in the world.

luzin susan · 03-16-2008, 10:40 PM

Thanks so much for all your concerns. I am going at 10:45 tomorrow to have some saline removed. I think 1cc might be in order. I tried to eat brocolli and a small amount of hamburger (both of which have never been a problem at night before)and gagged for an hour tonight..this is crazy! I am beginning to hate my band and that is not what I want to feel. I loved having it for so long and now I just have to change this mess. Do you all think 1 cc is too much! I have 4.8 now in the 9cc band. I am just thinking that I need to be a little more aggressive then I was thinking to really let my stomach rest! At least 1/2cc seems to be in order! I would really appreciate your thoughts on this,,,I can afford to go back in a few weeks and refill if I want to but I hate the waste of money! However, I want to do the right thing and give myself a true break,,,I am so close to maintenance.

Hope to hear from you before tomorrow!
PS: Julie,,,congratulations you have done amazing,,,it puts faith back in me that the band can be ok!

Susan :)

**Kat817** · 03-16-2008, 11:08 PM

HI! I believe going for the unfill of some of your saline to be a move in the right direction. But I would not stop there, I would personally treat it like they do if they know you have a slip. I would go back to my liquid diet for a week minimally---full liquids. Cream soups etc. Then I would slowly add some mushies....see if the combination of a small unfill, and giving your stomach a real rest from all the PB's might restore normalcy.
I would get some good protein drinks, and shakes, and put my stomach on some SERIOUS restriction of food, and let it rest! See if it does not resolve itself.

If at that time, nothing has changed, then it is time for a swallow study or a scope. Serious problems can result---you need to have answers...if not from your surgeon, then from a new Dr. Have you ever heard anything from the original surgeon? I would hound them, then let them know the facilitator is making life difficult! Tell them there is a HUGE website, you will post on if you don't get help!!! Just kidding----but would be nice to get some help from your surgeon!

Good Luck----and I LOVE your screen name, that is perfect!

Kat

luzin susan · 03-16-2008, 11:35 PM

Thanks for the insight! I already bought the protein shake stuff today and I am going to TRY to stay on liquids,,I have been doing that daily (not evenings) for so long that another week and adding evenings won't hurt me a bit! It is a great idea! I did not hear from the surgeon in Mexico since I wrote him a few weeks ago and I use to go to Dr. Aceves for my fills which I might need to do as going back to Monterrey is just too expensive. I use to deal with a wonderful coordinator of the drs in Monterrey that is out here but one day she just stopped speaking to me. I have never found out why as she never has returned my calls or messages so in lieu of begging for her guidance (she was my connection to learning about the band) I started writing to all of you. Thank goodness you are all here! :) I wrote to the Dr. recently but haven't heard back,,,my support system kind of dumped me,,,so to speak,,,probably this problem drove them crazy! I had a lot of problems with my fills for a while! Who knows,,,misunderstandings can really be a mess when people don't communicate,,,,anyhow, it hasn't been easy without the support they promised me! But I have moved forward and reached out here...and so many of you have helped! I am very grateful! I will go and see Dr. Aceves if I need to get a scope it is just scary for me to think of going there alone,,,,,but I will do what I need to! Hopefully I won't have to! I also have 3 more people that want the band and I am not sure at this point if referring them to the coordinators for my Dr. is the right decision after the shun that I have received but then there is one who still responds occassionally! I guess this is part of going out of the Country for some! :( I will keep a close eye and thank you for all your suggestions! This is a big forum you are right,,,, :)

Take care

Susan
PS: I loved the name too! thanks!

AthinnerDenise · 03-17-2008, 01:21 AM

We will be waiting to hear how things turn out. I don't think you can yourself how many or a portions of a cc will be taken out. Your doctor should know after he evaluates you, where you need to be.

I am surprised to hear these things about this dr. I know someone that is crazy about that dr.

armywife4life · 03-17-2008, 05:05 AM

wow thats intense

shortgal · 03-17-2008, 06:38 AM

I agree, let the Dr. help you decide how much to take out, but I think you're on the right track.

Let us know how you make out today.

rodeomom · 03-17-2008, 09:07 AM

I am so glad that someone else is letting people know about this problem. I am experiencing this same problem. I have been contimplating going back for a check up because I can't eat in the mornings till about 2pm and then I can eat more in the afternoons and I have had my band for almost 2 years and in the last 3 months I haven't lost anything. I pb almost everyday. My last fill was probably about august of last year. When you eat at night you feel like you might need a fill but when you get up the next morning and you can't eat anything or drink anything you know you don't. I would love to know what you do and what the doc says. Please let me know. I am within 20 lbs of my goal weight and I don't want to screw anything up. thanks. E-mail me at j.d.burch@sbcglobal.net