Had 1st. Fill.....................not doing good!

[Kelly C]

I had my 1st. fill last Monday (6/25) in Tj. I have been on soups and liq. since. I can't get anything soft down yet. I tried mashed potatoes and it came back up. We meet some friends at a mexican rest. last night I had a cup of tortilla soup ( not as good as at the Lucera!) and a cup of refied beans. Soup stayed, beans didn't! I can keep oatmeal down, go figure! It has gotten to the point that most of everything I'm eating is coming back up! I stayed on liq. for the first 3 days and I should be on softs by now! I know it takes time!

Kelly C. in Fl.

[cyndiwilson]

You didn't mention the size of your band and how much was put in on your 1st fill? I have had a 2nd fill and I am 8monthes out and find that I need to be very careful on chew chew chew evne on the strangest things such as cottage cheese refried beans -but your timeline of fill till now should be a concern call the doctor and see what they recommend ---cause even if it is small small bites and you are chew chew chew you should be able to keep food down---also is it that time of the month? that effects me big time for about 72hours I am extremly tight during that time - I thought that it was all talk on the boards when I saw those TOM posts but I am a believer now!!!!

Best wishes

Cyndi

[PAMMIE]

I had my 1st. fill last Monday (6/25) in Tj. I have been on soups and liq. since. I can't get anything soft down yet. I tried mashed potatoes and it came back up. We meet some friends at a mexican rest. last night I had a cup of tortilla soup ( not as good as at the Lucera!) and a cup of refied beans. Soup stayed, beans didn't! I can keep oatmeal down, go figure! It has gotten to the point that most of everything I'm eating is coming back up! I stayed on liq. for the first 3 days and I should be on softs by now! I know it takes time!

Kelly C. in Fl.

IF THINGS ARE COMING UP, GO BACK ON LIQUIDS, YOU NEED TO LET YOUR ESOPHAGUS HEAL

[LoriBecky]

go on liquids and call the clinic! Sounds like you may need a bit of an unfill!

[tombourn]

Can sympathize. I am a week out on my 4th fill and I'm thinking it's abit too tight. Good news is I have lost 9 pounds in the past week ( i know most is from just emptying he system, but I did climb the tallest mountain in Colorado this last Saturday or Gatorade and Goo alone.

I'll give it another week to see if things loosen up. If not, maybe a slight unfill. Like those of us who have had the band for awhile know, this thing is fickle and you never know from day to day exactly how it'll work.. but it does work. Good luck, be patient, and listen to your body.

Tom

Current Weight 239

[RogerF]

Kelly,

I hope by now you've figured out what will work for you.

But in my opinion (again, mine), it sounds to me like you are perfect on your first fill. You're able to get down liquids and oatmeal. Learning how and what you can eat with your band is a difficult process starting off, and tested again with each fill. The idea is to eat and chew well enough that everything is the same consistency as the oatmeal when it goes down. A clump of refried beans, while soft, could still plug the stoma and come back up if not chewed and well. Take small bites and chew everything well is the key. Wait a few moments between bites to make sure everything feels right and don't force it. Stop when you start to feel anything backing up. Try some warm liquid before you eat, and later in the day if necessary. You'll get the hang of it and what works for you.

I also think this is a good testimonial to how good it is to go back to TJ for you're first fill. If you try fills in the states it may take several fills and months to get you to where you are. But this is really what I signed up for in getting the band, and it's not easy sometimes.

But like Tom, I know that as we continue to lose it will loosen up, and if I'm a little tight I just try to ride it and lose as much as possible before I am able to eat more. Before long you'll be needing another, and I try to use each fill as a motivator to push ahead in my weight loss. Watching the weght come off is a good motivator. But unless you start having trouble with liquids, I don't think an unfill is necessary. Try liquids for a few more days, then start slowly to see what foods will work for you.

Best wishes to you.

Roger

[PAMMIE]

I also think this is a good testimonial to how good it is to go back to TJ for you're first fill. If you try fills in the states it may take several fills and months to get you to where you are.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FILLS IN THE STATES AND TJ? I'VE SEEN NONE MYSELF

BE CAREFUL KELLY, THE GAL THAT WAS BANDED WITH ME LOST HER BAND, SLIPPED, LAST MONTH FROM BEING TO TIGHT. HER FIRST FILL BEING IN TJ WAS TO MUCH AND SHE TRIED TO LIVE WITH IT LIKE THAT, NOT GOOD

[Kelly C]

Thanks guys! For the info. I'll try to stay on liq. a little longer. I think I'm just going to be one of those people that will take time in the adjustments of a fill. I was filled 1.4 cc. (And No, it's not that time of the MONTH! It hasn't been that time of the month since Aug. of 2000!) I feel safe with soups, water,and portein drinks. I have lost more weight! That's a plus! I have been chewing and chewing and chewing. I will give it time.

Kelly C. in Fl.

4/1/07 Highest weight 241lbs.

4/26/07 Pre-op weight 221lbs

6/25/07 1st. Fill (1.4cc.)weight 204lbs.

[Clynn]

I agree with Pammie. You should be able to eat solids without feeling ill so long as you chew throughly. Soft foods like refried beans shouldn't need much chewing in order to be ok. Just give whoever did your fill a call and see what they think about the situation.

[Kelly C]

Don't get me wrong I love my band and have NO REGRETS!!!! This is still new to me. And I'm still learning about this great tool that I have. I think too, that it is a little stress. I'm working 6 days a week and on call the 7th.day(working like this now going on my 6th. week). I work for the O.R. at a children's hospital. I'm on the go all the time. I have read that stress can cause some thightness. I have been working like this before I was banded. I worked 15 days with only 1 day off before I left for Tj to have my band put on. It was the best rest I had in a long time that is why I stayed an extra day there. I had surgery on Thurs. flew home Sun. went back to work Tues. I work 3rd. shift so sleeping comes first then maybe a meal or 2. then bed and back to work. We have been short of staff for so long. I just started training a new guy this past week. I just hope he likes the work and will stay. Most people can't keep up with the fast pace. Hey, guys I'm so sorry to unload on you. Take care.

Kelly C. in Fl.

4/1/07 Highest weight 241lbs.

4/26/07 Pre-op weight 221lbs

6/25/07 1st. Fill (1.4cc.)weight 204lbs

[Clynn]

Ahhhhhh, that could definatly explain things. Stress was enough to make me throw up even before I got banded. Good luck to you and try to take it easy as much as possible then.

[PAMMIE]

AT FIRST STRESS DID ME IN ALSO. IT'S ALOT BETTER NOW. SOMETIMES JUST A DRINKIE DRINK OR WINE CAN HELP ME RELAX JUST ENOUGH

[katjab]

Can sympathize. I am a week out on my 4th fill and I'm thinking it's abit too tight. Good news is I have lost 9 pounds in the past week ( i know most is from just emptying he system, but I did climb the tallest mountain in Colorado this last Saturday or Gatorade and Goo alone.

I'll give it another week to see if things loosen up. If not, maybe a slight unfill. Like those of us who have had the band for awhile know, this thing is fickle and you never know from day to day exactly how it'll work.. but it does work. Good luck, be patient, and listen to your body.

Tom

Current Weight 239

I had a fill that took my 4cc band to 3cc. I lost 11 pounds in 14 days. But then I ate something that would not digest. Actually it was a hot dog. It wasn't stuck like some things do. After 4 days of heartburn and indesgine, I went back to see the doctor. He said all my systems were says the band was too tight. So he removed 1cc. I feel like I have no restiction now and have even gained a few pounds back. I got back next week and I'm looking forward to being adjusted again. Hopefully 1/2 cc may be good. Of course, what ever the doctor suggests!!

Has anyone noticed the difference with food going down better when you are standing verse when you are sitting? Seems like when I'm sitting, some food is gonna just sit there. When I'm home, I can get up and walk to the kitchen, tv etc and it just goes on down. In a resturant, the only place to really walk to is the restroom. That makes your friends think you are PB.

Thanks you any help!!