Losing My Fills

[LapBandBunny]

Hi LapBand Family,

Last week, I had an obstruction. The week prior I had gotten a fill, and it was pretty tight…. I had a piece of sushi stuck, so they opened me up, we flushed it down with a ton of water, then he filled me back up. Yesterday morning, I started having pain in my chest. 24 hours later, it was still there, so I called the doc’s office…. My doc is out of the country hunting, (the nerve… LOL) but his nurse and I chatted, and she said I was likely still inflamed from the obstruction situation and the best thing to do is to remove all of the fluid, and start over after it’s all healed up.

I reached my lowest weight so far this morning, so this is just about making me sick. I don’t want to lose all of my fluid, but I know I was too tight and this needs to be resolved so I can be comfortable again…

Just getting it out there…. So I can let go of it and move on.

Thanks for listening,

[christie]

I'm listening and empathizing because I had the same damn thing happen to me. They don't have to take out ALL the fluid do they? They took out about 1/2 for me. Then I had to wait a month and I started again. It took two fills (two months) to get proper restriction again.

You've had AMAZING results, don't sweat this small step backwards!

[LapBandBunny]

Thanks Christie!

Yes, she took allllll 6.2 ccs out. I wanted to cry. Since the doctors are out of town, I think that's her standard protocal, being the RN, when there is an issue. I wanted to take the syringe home... haha... I felt like she was taking something that belonged to me.
:faint:


I will get through this.....having you go before me, helps me remember that I'm gonna make it. Wondering if they can put like 1/2 back one week, then the other 1/2 back the next?? Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

I felt like I was finally making progress.... argh.

[chrispygal]

I'm sorry to hear about having to get the unfill and getting something stuck. We've all been there and it is no fun. I have gone through a complete unfill myself, although for me I didn't know I was unfilled (an intern did it by accident) and I ate my way through the stress and anxiety of thinking I had a slipped band. Do not do what I did. lol. I would definitely call your doctor when he is back from vacation to see if you can get some put back in. In the meantime, focus on eating dense protein, fruits and veggies. Do not go near the bread. It was lovely to eat but it was a big downfall as well. What is most important right now though is that the pain goes away and that you rest your band and your pouch. I hope you feel better soon!

[Want_2_B_Free]

I know that you want the fill. But am sure you want to keep the band for a very long time (and don't want a slip). I think it was best to get unfilled and let all of the inflammation go away. It's not a step back, IMHO, it's part of the process (one of the few drawbacks). Once the inflammation goes down, fill er up...
And because you know there is no fill, you will be cautious about your intake.

[dolchanmom]

This is hard but we just have to be glad we even have the option of getting it adjusted right? Thats why we got the band. Just try to be very carful with calories while unfilled. We are here for you.
Brandy

[christie]

Dang....so frustrating. But you'll get through this. This Band is there for a long time to help you for a long time. This is just a little bump on the road to success. You'll be OK!!!!

[gregken77]

Nicole---I just saw this post. Well that sucks! Sorry to here about having to have an unfill. Dang sushi! Just dont lay down and die though. You can watch how much food you intake for awhile until the band is back filled again. Just dont go crazy or anything and think well I dont have a fill so I might as well eat this bucket of ice cream. ha ha Now see that would be my first thought. Oh Ill start again when I get the fill! ha ha Dont do it. Just watch the type of food you eat----try baking evrything or boiling it instead of frying. Watch how many carbs you take in. eat a high protein diet. You can do this. Its not forever. I know how you feel though---its very frustrating! Best of luck.

[LapBandBunny]

Update: Thank you everyone. After a couple of day with no fill, still having chest pains and feeling like I am still restricted, I call the doc again and was told that I am on all liquids for 2 weeks, starting today... ugh. Yesterday, I had a protein bar at 3pm, felt stuffed and only consumed fluids after that. The RN said that I must be extremely swollen and that solid food will only continue to irritate it... so, it's fluids, cream soups, mushy foods for me...

The next fill they do will be under flouroscopy to make sure that everything is ok.

This is a little scary, but I know that I will get through it. Thank you all for your words of support and encouragement.

[christie]

I'm sure that you are swollen, just as they said. They're smart to put you on liquids. Have you tried sipping on something with aloe vera juice in it to help with inflammation? Dr. A. recommends it. I tried it after my last fill and I recommend it too.

[LapBandBunny]

Aloe Vera juice?! No, I've not tried that... it sounds really gross, but I would be willing to give it a try. I've seen it at Walmart... do you drink it straight?

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

, , , I felt like I was finally making progress.... argh.

Hey there, Bunny, to my way of thinking you are STILL making progress. Yeah, slight bump in the road, but look at all the expeirence you're getting dealing with the complication you're experiencing. I know it all sucks ,,, but it's gonna make you STRONGER in the long run. Everything happens for a reason. Do your liquids and get that banded tummy healed up !!! Remember, you have friends here ,,,

[LapBandBunny]

Thank you Judy! That is good to hear. You guys are a super-duper group of peeps, that's for sure. We are lucky to have such a supportive forum when we need support.

Hugs!

[LapBandBunny]

Little update... have been without any fluid in my band for a week now, and still having funky symptoms. Fortunately, the 800# gorilla has gotten off of my chest, but I still have restriction and heartburn with zero fluid in there......

Going tomorrow (Tues) for flouro to check everything out. My PA says it doesn't sound like a slip, that it's probably just still swollen... I hope so.

[birdieloves]

Nicole, what did your doctor say? I hope that your band is alright and that you will be back on track in no time.

[LapBandBunny]

Thanks for asking Tammy!

My band was fine, but boy was I swollen! After a week of having all of the fluid removed, it was apparent that I still had major restriction. My PA said, I don't know exactly what you did to piss it off, but you certainly have.

He told me to call as soon as I started getting hungry, so I can begin my fills again. That happened on Friday, so this past weekend I was very hungry. Just trying to hold it together until Thursday, which will be my first fill.

I think I was just too tight, and pushed myself a little farther than I knew I should with that very last fill. That was when things started going downhill.... I've learned that too full could = lose fills.

Thanks again, Tammy.

[chrispygal]

Glad to hear that everything is ok and that you'll be back in action soon! :)

[birdieloves]

I am glad that everything turned out ok for you. You will be back on track in no time. Just take it easy.

[LapBandBunny]

Thanks Chrispygal & Tammie...