3rd fill - 3.8ccs in a 4cc band!

[vangirl]

I just got back from Mexico yesterday after getting my 3rd fill. I now have 3.8ccs in a 4cc band, and am apparently one of only 5 or 6 OCC patients who have this much fill in a 4cc band. I asked Dr. So (so nice, cute, and reassuring!) about why my case is so unusual, and he suggested that maybe my stomach lining is thinner, and so consequently there is more room inside. Anyway, because I was leaving early the next morning, I was advised to try solid foods after getting to the hotel, and to call the clinic in case there were problems. I found I was able to eat ok (I deliberately chose bread-foods, as I wanted to test out the potentially 'difficult' foods while I was still there). I was really careful about chewing, taking my time, and I did feel full after smaller amounts than I did before. Yay!

So yesterday I returned home (and during my journey, was able to eat solids without any problem, with maybe a slightly less feeling of restriction than the day I got the fill. After I got home, I had a small slice of a personal-size pizza, which was leftover from a previous day. To note, I have had no problems with any types of food, and have been able to eat foods like bread, pasta, rice, etc. without any difficulty. Anyway, after almost finishing the very small slice, I noticed it startied to get stuck, so I stopped eating. I have had food stuck a few times before, and eventually, after several painful minutes, it eventually goes down on its own. However, this time it wasn't going anywhere, and relief came only when I threw up whatever was in the pouch just above the band. There was still a little bit stuck afterward, but I didn't want to throw up anymore and risk doing any damage to the band. At least afterward, it wasn't painful anymore, and whatever little that was stuck eventually went down on its own.

Then this morning, I had a very warm, almost hot, glass of water to prepare for taking my morning medications. My thyroid pills are very tiny, so there was no problem with getting them down. But I decided to try a green tea capsule to see if I could get that through. So I took one, and there didn't seem to be any problem. It seemed like the water was going down ok. So I took the second one, and this time I could tell that it was getting stuck. I could taste green tea coming back up. I tried to wait a few minutes to see if it would go down on its own, but it didn't, so I made myself vomit, and the capsule came back up. However, the stuck feeling was still there, and it seemed like the first one was also stuck, although maybe I didn't realize it the first time. So I vomited again, and water came up, but I don't know if the capsule did. I proceeded to have my breakfast (a lean cuisine, because I haven't gone shopping and don't have anything else in the house), and so far it seems to be going down. Except it is going down very slowly, and I know that there is still stuff in the pouch above the band, even as I write this. It feels a little funny. But nothing is stuck (yet), so I think it's ok. I know throwing up is not a good thing, but I've only thrown up twice (albeit twice in the last two days).

I think this is what the feeling of fullness is supposed to be. Stuff still in the pouch and going down really slowly, so that the signal of fullness has time to get to the brain. And supposedly the feeling of fullness should last a few hours. I feel pretty satisfied with the lean cuisine, but am a bit concerned that I couldn't get the capsules down. I have an Omega 3 capsule which is twice as thick as the green tea capsule, and I don't know how I will be able to get that down (and I'm afraid to try). I know that people's experiences with the band are so different, and the band itself is fickle, so while I guess I am looking for some reassurance that this is normal, I know that maybe what is normal for some people may not be normal for others. Anyway, feedback is appreciated.

[Smiley]

Welcome to the world of restriction. What you are feeling in regards to being full sooner and having the food go thru the band slower is what everyone with a band hopes to experience. I am like you in that I can eat anything I so chose, including pizza. I had my first piece of pizza that was not thin crust a couple of weeks ago and did just fine with it, I just had to remember to chew it super duper well. Before I ate it I sought out a friend at the same event who also has a band and he said as long as he chews well he doesn't have a problem either. I am not suggesting that we eat pizza on a regular basis, but rare occasions are okay. My fill doctor says it is okay to challenge yourself with foods on occasion.

In regards to the pills, it is time to make a change. If they can be cut up, invest in a pill splitter and start cutting. If they cannot be cut up, you need to seek other options. I too have problems with pills. Mine started with the most bitter antibiotic ever. Luckily I could cut it up and hide it in pudding so as to avoid the bitter taste. I am supposed to be taking a multi-vitamin but am scared to based on my level of restriction. So, I am going to purchase chewable gummie vitamins tomorrow. I have already tried Flinstones and they just aren't as good as they were when I was a kid.

Something else to be aware of, some of us have experienced our bands getting tighter a few days after a fill. Just be aware this could happen. After I have a fill I am supposed to have clear liquids only for 24 hours, full liquids for 24 hours, mushy foods for 24 hours, and then I can go back to regular foods. You might want to give this a shot to allow your stomach time to adjust to the new band size.

Let us know how your weight loss goes based on this fill.

[skinnyagain]

My question is are you gagging and having your stomach contract type of barfing or are you what I like to say burping up the food.

Sometimes I will PB and then with that comes up the bites of food. But I am not gagging and retching it just comes up. I find those two things different...

Kim

[vangirl]

Welcome to the world of restriction. What you are feeling in regards to being full sooner and having the food go thru the band slower is what everyone with a band hopes to experience. I am like you in that I can eat anything I so chose, including pizza. I had my first piece of pizza that was not thin crust a couple of weeks ago and did just fine with it, I just had to remember to chew it super duper well. Before I ate it I sought out a friend at the same event who also has a band and he said as long as he chews well he doesn't have a problem either. I am not suggesting that we eat pizza on a regular basis, but rare occasions are okay. My fill doctor says it is okay to challenge yourself with foods on occasion.

In regards to the pills, it is time to make a change. If they can be cut up, invest in a pill splitter and start cutting. If they cannot be cut up, you need to seek other options. I too have problems with pills. Mine started with the most bitter antibiotic ever. Luckily I could cut it up and hide it in pudding so as to avoid the bitter taste. I am supposed to be taking a multi-vitamin but am scared to based on my level of restriction. So, I am going to purchase chewable gummie vitamins tomorrow. I have already tried Flinstones and they just aren't as good as they were when I was a kid.

Something else to be aware of, some of us have experienced our bands getting tighter a few days after a fill. Just be aware this could happen. After I have a fill I am supposed to have clear liquids only for 24 hours, full liquids for 24 hours, mushy foods for 24 hours, and then I can go back to regular foods. You might want to give this a shot to allow your stomach time to adjust to the new band size.

Let us know how your weight loss goes based on this fill.

Thank you Smiley! Up until this 3rd fill, I have not had that elusive 'restriction' that others have described, which has been very frustrating in terms of my progress. So I am glad to hear that this matches what people experience in terms of restriction. I know it's only been a couple of days, but so far it is a huge difference from what I was feeling before.

It sounds like I may have to figure out other options pill-wise. I can probably cut the green tea capsules and sprinkle the powder into the water. But my omega 3 (which is basically fish oil, and the size of a huge multivitamin) is going to be a different problem. I am terribly afraid of getting something stuck and not be able to force it out through vomiting if it doesn't go down on its own, so I'm not sure what I'll be able to do there.

-vangirl

[BandDiva]

Welcome to the world of restriction. What you are feeling in regards to being full sooner and having the food go thru the band slower is what everyone with a band hopes to experience. I am like you in that I can eat anything I so chose, including pizza. I had my first piece of pizza that was not thin crust a couple of weeks ago and did just fine with it, I just had to remember to chew it super duper well. Before I ate it I sought out a friend at the same event who also has a band and he said as long as he chews well he doesn't have a problem either. I am not suggesting that we eat pizza on a regular basis, but rare occasions are okay. My fill doctor says it is okay to challenge yourself with foods on occasion.

In regards to the pills, it is time to make a change. If they can be cut up, invest in a pill splitter and start cutting. If they cannot be cut up, you need to seek other options. I too have problems with pills. Mine started with the most bitter antibiotic ever. Luckily I could cut it up and hide it in pudding so as to avoid the bitter taste. I am supposed to be taking a multi-vitamin but am scared to based on my level of restriction. So, I am going to purchase chewable gummie vitamins tomorrow. I have already tried Flinstones and they just aren't as good as they were when I was a kid.

Something else to be aware of, some of us have experienced our bands getting tighter a few days after a fill. Just be aware this could happen. After I have a fill I am supposed to have clear liquids only for 24 hours, full liquids for 24 hours, mushy foods for 24 hours, and then I can go back to regular foods. You might want to give this a shot to allow your stomach time to adjust to the new band size.

Let us know how your weight loss goes based on this fill.

Smiley....

I highly recommend Bariatric Advantage, Vitaband in mixed berry flavor. These vitamins are chewable & made especially for people who have had WLS. Ofcourse it is up to you, but I attended a 2 hour meeting about this company and I really believe they have what we need. They are loaded with good stuff for us! I also take their calcium tablet, it dissolves in your mouth.

[vangirl]

My question is are you gagging and having your stomach contract type of barfing or are you what I like to say burping up the food.

Sometimes I will PB and then with that comes up the bites of food. But I am not gagging and retching it just comes up. I find those two things different...

Kim

Hi Kim,

It's not productive burping, but I think it is a similar process. It's hard to describe, but basically it's me bending over, opening my mouth as if to throw up, and this contracts my esophagus so that whatever's in the pouch will come right up, including the saliva or slime or whatever liquid is in the pouch to break down the food. It's a kind of voluntary vomiting, not gagging or retching (which I assume is the involuntary stomach contraction). I don't feel nauseous or anything.

-vangirl

[ValleyGirl]

Sounds like you finally have restriction, hooray! Now don't be surprised if it starts to come and go. As you know, I thought I had a leak I had so little restriction last week but now I've been deathly ill with bronchitis (Possible pneumonia, tests aren't back yet) for more than a week and I'm super tight again. I'm guessing all the coughing has pulled on my muscle the port is attached to as well cause it's bugging me again. Be sure to get all those vitamins in SOMEHOW....I was slacking off and maybe if I was taking them every day I wouldn't have become so run down and sick. Take care.

Sabrina:)

[Smiley]

Smiley....

I highly recommend Bariatric Advantage, Vitaband in mixed berry flavor. These vitamins are chewable & made especially for people who have had WLS. Ofcourse it is up to you, but I attended a 2 hour meeting about this company and I really believe they have what we need. They are loaded with good stuff for us! I also take their calcium tablet, it dissolves in your mouth.

Hmmm, I will see if I can find samples somewhere. I am tired of buying things and then not liking them, protein bars are the worst at $1.xx each. I know I don't look like I have ever not liked something and spit it out of my mouth, but trust me, I have. Thanks!

[fatfreeme]

Hi,

While I am just planning my first fill, so I can't help you on that end, I would like to suggest Coreomega. It is a Omega suppliment that is AWESOME! It comes in little packets with a small amount of pudding consistancy of Omega blends in an amazing chocolate orange flavor so you dont taste the fish taste! It goes down great with absolutely no problem! Also they have a rewards program that after so many boxes purchased you get a free box! I buy these for my family (kids, hubby and me). Not a complaint in the bunch.

This would be a great alternative for anyone not wanting to risk a large pill!

Keep up the great success!

[UTdigiMOM]

Evening Vangirl -

I'm so glad to have read your post tonight as you described exactly what I'm feeling after my SIXTH fill last Thursday, April 16, 2009. I'm now at 3.2 cc in my 4cc band and my doctor here in Utah says he's rarely had to put this much in a band of that size. Lucky us, huh? Anyway, I'm feeling that same feeling you wrote about.

When I read this line..."I think this is what the feeling of fullness is supposed to be. Stuff still in the pouch and going down really slowly, so that the signal of fullness has time to get to the brain..." I said YES! That's what I feel now. FINALLY!

I don't post very much but I want to say thank you very much for sharing because it made me feel good to read about someone like myself on the boards. It's SO hard not to compare even though I know we're all different.

Thanks and have a good night!

[vangirl]

Sounds like you finally have restriction, hooray! Now don't be surprised if it starts to come and go. As you know, I thought I had a leak I had so little restriction last week but now I've been deathly ill with bronchitis (Possible pneumonia, tests aren't back yet) for more than a week and I'm super tight again. I'm guessing all the coughing has pulled on my muscle the port is attached to as well cause it's bugging me again. Be sure to get all those vitamins in SOMEHOW....I was slacking off and maybe if I was taking them every day I wouldn't have become so run down and sick. Take care.

Sabrina:)

It must be frustrating to not know what your restriction will be from one day to the next. So far my current restriction has not varied so drastically as yours, but even the small variations from day to day (or within a day, or even within an hour) are hard to get my head around. I hope you feel better soon!

[vangirl]

Hi,

While I am just planning my first fill, so I can't help you on that end, I would like to suggest Coreomega. It is a Omega suppliment that is AWESOME! It comes in little packets with a small amount of pudding consistancy of Omega blends in an amazing chocolate orange flavor so you dont taste the fish taste! It goes down great with absolutely no problem! Also they have a rewards program that after so many boxes purchased you get a free box! I buy these for my family (kids, hubby and me). Not a complaint in the bunch.

This would be a great alternative for anyone not wanting to risk a large pill!

Keep up the great success!

Hi fatfreeme,

Thank you SO much for this information! I had no idea that you could get omega in anything but pill or liquid form (due to the fishiness of it), and I am going to look for it in health food and vitamin stores now. If not, I will buy it online. I am terribly afraid of taking a large pill and getting it stuck and being unable to vomit or pb it out, so this is a great alternative!

-vangirl

[vangirl]

Evening Vangirl -

I'm so glad to have read your post tonight as you described exactly what I'm feeling after my SIXTH fill last Thursday, April 16, 2009. I'm now at 3.2 cc in my 4cc band and my doctor here in Utah says he's rarely had to put this much in a band of that size. Lucky us, huh? Anyway, I'm feeling that same feeling you wrote about.

When I read this line..."I think this is what the feeling of fullness is supposed to be. Stuff still in the pouch and going down really slowly, so that the signal of fullness has time to get to the brain..." I said YES! That's what I feel now. FINALLY!

I don't post very much but I want to say thank you very much for sharing because it made me feel good to read about someone like myself on the boards. It's SO hard not to compare even though I know we're all different.

Thanks and have a good night!

Hi Jessica,

Thank you for your reply! I am so glad that it was helpful for you. Man, I can't imagine how frustrating it must have been to have waited for your sixth fill before you could feel restriction. I've been in endless frustration since January, to the point where I was almost starting to regret getting the band, because of hearing others' experiences and wondering why I wasn't getting similar results. It sucks! And yes I know we're not supposed to compare with others, but it's hard not to in a forum where people share their experiences, and you think something is wrong with you when you are so much in the minority.

I hope you are enjoying your current level of restriction and that it brings you the results you are hoping for!

-Vangirl

[LisaLaw]

I have 4.1cc in a 4.0 band and it is because I was told during my third fill I did not have alot of fat around my tummy. So with that being said here is some of my experiences:

1. STAY away from naturopathic type vitamins. My acupuncturist gave me these pills for my neck injury (helps to ease the muscular pain), the problem is I took my usual 4 on a friday and by monday I could not eat ANYTHING. Monday night I PB'd SO hard that all 4 of these pills came back UP. YES, really. They had been sitting in the pouch and had not dissolved for nearly 4 days, I think they were also clogging the port hole. I have thrown them out.

I do not have any problems with my medications or NatureMade-brand vitamins

2. After getting that large of a fill where you get close to some capacity, you will notice that you will have WICKED restriction. STOP testing your band with bread, pizza, etc. If you clog your port, not only will you make yourself incredibly miserable, but you will cause your pouch to swell and then you must stay on liquids for a few days.

You need to fix the thinking in your head by testing things (been there, done it). The fill nurses at NW fill in WA flat out told me that I should "NOT be testing anything out, or attempting to eat that type of stuff" that is why we got the band to begin with.

3. It may take you up to 3 weeks once your fill kicks in to eat any time of the day but between 5-9 pm. You will notice that mornings and afternoons are limited to creamy soups and protein shakes, your fill will loosen up. Have some patience and do not panic (and get an unfill).

All the best and here is to hitting your sweet spot!

[vangirl]

I had wanted to wait at least a week or two before posting again, but I can't help it. I am amazed at the restriction I have with this new fill. I am full on so much less food and am barely hungry. I actually forget to eat! I have to force myself to eat, otherwise I'd end up eating too little. I'm astounded actually how much difference having the right amount of restriction can make. If I were eating this little amount of food without the band (and adequate restriction) to help me, I'd be starving, sick, and miserable. But I actually feel quite energized and normal (except for when I go too many hours without calories and my blood sugar gets a little low). I finally get what people are raving about, and I'm happy I've finally experienced it for myself, albeit five months post-band (April 26 will be my five month bandiversary). I can handle minor variations from day to day, but I sincerely hope that overall this level of restriction sticks.

-vangirl

[determination]

I am also very pleased with this topic. I had a fill last Friday. On Friday I could eat. I asked the nurse practioner about having liquids after the fill and she said that she didn't see any reason why I should (she has a band also). So I ate, everything was fine. That night I PB'd for the first time. I have PB'd several time since and I have also had a hard time taking my medication which I take twice a day.

I honestly can not eat anything without it hurting. So I stop. I am also having difficulty getting liquids down. It has only been 6 days since my fill so I am trying to give it a little time.

Before this I had been eating really healthy, but I am having a problem with hair loss.

Yesterday I was driving to my hairdresser's and had a PB'ing eppisode while driving. Has anyone else experienced this. It comes on so fast.

Thank you for any input.

[AngelaAnn]

I am also very pleased with this topic. I had a fill last Friday. On Friday I could eat. I asked the nurse practioner about having liquids after the fill and she said that she didn't see any reason why I should (she has a band also). So I ate, everything was fine. That night I PB'd for the first time. I have PB'd several time since and I have also had a hard time taking my medication which I take twice a day.

I honestly can not eat anything without it hurting. So I stop. I am also having difficulty getting liquids down. It has only been 6 days since my fill so I am trying to give it a little time.

Before this I had been eating really healthy, but I am having a problem with hair loss.

Yesterday I was driving to my hairdresser's and had a PB'ing eppisode while driving. Has anyone else experienced this. It comes on so fast.

Thank you for any input.

Yup, I've PB'd while driving--especially the first month after I got my third fill for 3cc's in my 4cc band. I finally realized that I can't eat and then immediately get into a car or I get a weird feeling of car sickness (which I've never had) and then I PB--I started keeping plastic bags in the car, but now that I know what it is, I don't eat before driving or I make sure to eat an hour before having to get into a car. I'm glad I'm not the only one this has happened to.