Unfilled...now what

Well the doc. saw me but couldn't do an barium swallow today so he unfilled me and told me to come back on monday. So what do I do in the mean time?

>>>>I missed what the problem was....

you have opportunity to observe changes in your pouch, appetite, energy level, hunger or lack of it, substances/amounts you can comfortably eat vs what provides satiety rather than 'fullness'....

You can evaluate whether looser is better or the fill gives a type of control more easily regulated by your own eating activity...you can gain a sense of whether the amount of fill you had compared to *none* is producing the results you want....you can judge whether you have learned anything about moderating your food intake without the Band being 'tight'....

please keep us posted as to what you actually *do* learn in the mean time.....

Sorry Jack,

Those are great ideas btw. Thanks!

Lately I have had a loss of restriction, I figured I needed a fill until I had one night of pretty bad reflux. That got me concerned. The doctor managed to see me today but could not do a barium swallow because everyone else was gone. So I was unfilled all the way and am waiting till Monday to go do the barium.

What I have learned so far is that when i'm stressed (like now) or bored I want to eat. It makes me feel better. Alot better. But now I know I can't eat to feel better. If something is wrong I need to cut my diet so maybe my pouch and band will be ok by Monday. If something is not wrong I still don't need to pig out just because I don't have a band. So I am sitting here figuring out what will make me feel better other than food and am thus far no solutions are coming to mind. :-p. This too will pass I guess and things will be back to normal soon I hope.

I know what you mean about trying to find other things to do - I'm not sure how long you've been banded but it is still an ongoing issue for me (sometimes I wonder if I'm mental - I mean, how long does it take to replace all these old behaviors??)

Anyway, no doubt food is a source of comfort and response to any and all emotions. I used to get up every night in the middle of the night for a snack - for 6 months I would stare in the refrigerator until I decided to read a book and eventually that behavior stopped.

You are obviously under a lot of stress but good that you won't eat (even if out of fear) -so maybe you can explore another way of soothing yourself?

Try a few things - I like to keep busy with hands, scrapbooking, crocheting, organizing a closet or drawers - writing a letter are a few things that help me.

Good luck to you!