Feeling very restricted - NOW FEELING BETTER!!!

[Goannabanda]

I have been feeling very restricted for several days now - it's wearing me down, so I am going to have a little vent, and beg for some hugs. Thanks in advance for being here to catch me. You guys are the best!

I had thought that I might have something stuck or semi-stuck, so have stuck with liquids / mushies / soft foods for most of the past week, but so far am not finding any relief.:confused:

I am able to eat & drink very small amounts, but get long-lasting chest/rib/back pain pretty quickly when I do. I have even had some minor heartburn the past few nights, which I believe is due to my pouch not being emptied by bedtime (several hours after dinner). I am finding that even water "hangs" and causes pain - no matter what time of day I drink. I PB'd / vomited on Sunday night - pure water, that I had drank over an hour beforehand!

I have an appointment on Friday with the surgeon, until this happened, I thought I might have cancelled, as I was going along great. Now I am thinking that I might need some unfill to help deal with this issue, or at least to have a chat with him. I guess I had better keep that appointment after all...:ohwell:

[A1ikou]

:grouphug: :joinin: :grouphug: There ya go sweetie. It's no fun feeling like this. I think you should go and see the doc and you might be right that an unfill might be on the cards. One of the band's eccentricities that you can be going along all happy and then she decides to tighten up on you! Feel better soon.

[kebsa]

:bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug: Here are A few Hugs for you!!! Sorry Goanna, I did post a reply ealier but must have forgotten to save it!. I have been exactly where you are at the moment and t is very wearing and just down right nasty!. For me a temporary unfill was the saving grace and allowed things to quckly settle and be refilled. I was reluctant to have the unfill at the start because it seemed like admitting defeat ( this was quite early post band). I soon realized that not unfilling was leading me to eat around the band to avoid discomfort rather than good choices.
Since then I have been filled and unfilled quite a few times> usually if I have problems I do as you have descirbed, go back to fluids then meushies for a few days but if the symptoms settle I gradually increase again. If they do not settle over a few days or get worse then I go for a defill.
Sorry you have to wait until friday, as I know you are probably feeling pretty ordinary. Is the new avatar and signature due to food Cravings!??

[NotSoFunny]

yeah definitely get in for an unfill. it could be that you were at a sweet spot, but something irritated the stoma, and now you are constantly swollen. with a slight unfill you can let that swelling go down, and really take it easy for a bit.

until then stay on liquids i would say. not even mushies. just liquids. protein and all of that are unimportant, its dehydration that is important. did you know that as you dehydrate you stromach tissue swells and you get tighter than you should be? could it be that you are dehydrated and the swelling has maybe swollen you shut?

[NotSoFunny]

oh yeah, and big hugs girl. :D you always have a hsoulder to lean on with me. :)

[HeatherGurl]

Huge hugs to you!!! I know that when I got super tight, I wasn't getting in my liquids and I got dehydrated which really did make things worse. If I do not get in enough water, it seems like I get tighter.
I am actually right now contemplating another small unfill. It seems like when I get down to this weight, that freaking band gets even tighter!!! I am taking it very easy and very slow with stuff right now, but we will see what unfolds.
I agree with Amy in that you should do liquids only until a small unfill. Keep yourself hydrated and let us know what unfolds. We are thinking of you!

[JDru]

I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles Anna! :( I'm glad you'll be checking in with your doctor and I agree with the other girls...maybe a slight unfill will help alleviate your problem. Keep us updated!

[Goannabanda]

Thanks guys - you are the greatest!

Karen - I am not craving anything to eat ( I wish I was) - I am not feeling hungry (not even for CHOCOLATE!!! ye gads!) - just frustrated and sore! Although the jaffa cake cookie on my ticker does look yummy...(the ticker people don't have vege jars or sangas for sliders).

Amy / Heather - I was wondering if I was dehydrated - I have tried to keep fluid intake up. I still seem to be getting plenty of liquids in, and haven't had other symptoms of thirst beyond normal. But definitely something to watch while I am in this pickle.

Last night I did some yoga (Downward Dog), and also leaned over the arm of the couch for a bit. I found that the couch trick was great - things definitely moved around in there. I was able to move air / liquid up and down through the stoma quite easily. No PB or anything. I am feeling less restricted today, but have not tried anything other than liquids as suggested. Hopefully by the time I see the doc on Friday, I will almost normal again.

I still have the pain - which is mainly across my lower ribs at the back, and it seems worse when sitting. Apparently there is a low-grade flu / virus going around here at the moment that is making people sore, maybe that is another explanation. Bad posture and too many hours at the 'puter are another. Or poossibly TOM (again???) - since surgery that is all over the place, so I guess I won't know until it turns up next.

I am looking forward to an hour long massage on Saturday, which should help with the rib pain. Mike & I are heading to a day spa for our delayed 10th wedding anniversary. Then we've got a night in a city hotel, with dinner & brekky included. Poor boy is dreaming of a dirty weekend (well, duh, he is male and breathing, LOL!), but my thoughts are more along the lines of a good nights blissfull, uninterrupted, kid-free sleep, after several hours pampering and relaxing at the day spa! I'll be packing my flannel nightie and ugg boots, rather than lace nigthie & satin slippers! LOL!

[Belinda L]

yeah definitely get in for an unfill. it could be that you were at a sweet spot, but something irritated the stoma, and now you are constantly swollen. with a slight unfill you can let that swelling go down, and really take it easy for a bit.

until then stay on liquids i would say. not even mushies. just liquids. protein and all of that are unimportant, its dehydration that is important. did you know that as you dehydrate you stromach tissue swells and you get tighter than you should be? could it be that you are dehydrated and the swelling has maybe swollen you shut?
Funny Duddie, ya know I keep crying with the opposite problem than she's having. I don't feel any restriction. I keep drinking and drinking - I wonder if I'm overhydrated - I wonder if I slow down I could swell a little and cause a little restriction. I really hate to hear anyone is having so much discomfort but I just want a little bit of it.

[Belinda L]

Anna, here's a great big ole hug from a little ole grandma. I know it will make you feel better - at least I always felt better when I got a hug from my grandma no matter how I felt. Good luck and have a fun week-end. I've never heard of Vegemite so after seeing your note I had to look it up - guess I'll have to try some.

[Goannabanda]

BelindaL - thanks heaps for your hugs. I really miss my grandma - I'd give anything to have just one more of her hugs. I keep her perfume so I can have a spray and sense her around me when I need it - might go and get some out tonight.

I just hope that you are not serious with what you typed below - that is something you should NEVER do, nor wish for!! Your restriction will kick in once your fill is adjusted properly - for some it may take ages to get it right, but hang in there, and PLEASE - DON'T STOP DRINKING!!!


Funny Duddie, ya know I keep crying with the opposite problem than she's having. I don't feel any restriction. I keep drinking and drinking - I wonder if I'm overhydrated - I wonder if I slow down I could swell a little and cause a little restriction. I really hate to hear anyone is having so much discomfort but I just want a little bit of it.

That said, you should definitely try some Vegemite if you get a chance. I will warn you that it is an acquired taste...

..okay, almost time for me to go and sip a soluble paracetamol and hit thebed - I'm feeling more than a little second hand. 'nighty nite!

[Goannabanda]

:thankyoub: A BIG thank you to all for your support. I am please to report that I now feel much better. Here's my update from today. I will add more over the next few days as needed.

I saw my surgeon today and he removed 1cc from my band, leaving 2cc in my 14cc band. :shot:I asked him to take it all out, but he said that wouldn't be necessary. I am on 24 hours of full liquids / yoghurt, then slowly back to normal foods over the weekend.

I felt a bit sheepish that I had let it go for a whole week :ohwell: - but the timing wasn't great with Easter, work, and I had an appointment for today anyway. After this lesson, next time I will definitely call and go in for a review earlier.

I am now able to drink freely for the first time in a week:thirsty:, and had yoghurt for lunch:feedme: - pure heaven! I am having a telephone review with the nurse on Monday, to let them know how I am feeling, but all is looking good so far. I am booked to go back in three weeks for a slight refill, if I need it.

Last night was my worst all week :Cry: - I couldn't get comfortable at all, either lying or reclining. I eventually dozed reclining on pillows in bed, with the feeling like soe footbller was standing on my chest & back. I am looking forward to a much better night sleep tonight!

I lost 2kg this week (about 5 pounds), but I suppose I'll end up putting some or all of that back on as I start eating and drinking again. I am not worried about regaining some weight, because I know that much of what was lost was only because I was not eating & drinking properly. I know that once I have "normalised" my food & fluid levels, I will be right back on the losing path again. I guess this will happen over the next week or so.

So, here's my take home lessons for myself and others to follow to learn from this experience:

Sometimes, even when you follow the rules, and have no obvious sensations of being "stuck", too much swelling & restriction can sneak up on you.
Once the cycle of restriction due to being stuck and / or swollen starts, it is very difficult to break it, an unfill is needed.
Don't wait to get the unfill - be proactive towards protecting your health and your band. You can recover from the incident as quickly as possible, and get back on track without further issues developing.

[Kathy]

So, here's my take home lessons for myself and others to follow to learn from this experience:

Sometimes, even when you follow the rules, and have no obvious sensations of being "stuck", too much swelling & restriction can sneak up on you.
Once the cycle of restriction due to being stuck and / or swollen starts, it is very difficult to break it, an unfill is needed.
Don't wait to get the unfill - be proactive towards protecting your health and your band. You can recover from the incident as quickly as possible, and get back on track without further issues developing.

Go, Anna! Great list...great lessons. :hug: So glad you found relief. Ahhhhh!!!!!
(bwt, nice "rack" :heh:)

[A1ikou]

Happy to hear you are feeling so much better.

[JDru]

Anna I'm glad you're feeling better!! And hot new avatar btw... :)

[Belinda L]

Hey - Great -- glad everything seems to be rolling along fine now -- big Hugs

[kebsa]

so glad that things have improved Anna, recounting your experiece is going to help others who have or may be about to face the same feelings. as for being too slow to see you Dr, firstly it is not alway possible to get to see them when you need- remember my last hitch, i got told off off for gettng dehydrated then had to st around on iv fluids because my surgen was not around - it took another 24 hours to get unfilled. But even if you can get in to see them straight away. there is a famous quote from an american writer mi Angelou (spelling) "when we know better, we do better" I love that quote. It stops me betaing myself over the head when I tink I have been a bit dumb about somethiing. non of us go out of our way to cause ourproblems and as long as we learn from what ever happened, its has some good. love the boobatar. I have just changed mine back to another shot, my boobs still blurinto spare tyre a bit too easily. I hate my phots usually but the one I have just picked hshows me feeling real pride at my achievement of walking with my scooter- so I am pleased to share that one for a while.

hope thngs are going to being rolling well for you now with your unfll and the new job! You are getting closer to bears wall I think! I wonder if he has a section for the southern hemisphere, that alone should get a foot in the door!

[Goannabanda]

Thanks girls - and way to go with your scooter Karen! That's fantastic! Just an indicator of how far you have come. I love your avatar - it shows real achievement - you can see just how happy you are in your face.

And now, I'm off to our pampering weekend - Mike is getting anxious to go, so adios amigos! I'll see you all once I've been pampered to bits tomorrow or Monday night!

[tarajane]

Hi Goanna, how did the pampering weekend go?? Glad that you are doing ok now.

[Goannabanda]

Hiya tarajane - thanks for asking after me. How was your weekend? Not long until next Bandworks now - am looking forward to seeing you then.

Our pampering was GREAT. I recommend you take out a second mortgage and go there www.aurorasparetreat.com (http://www.aurorasparetreat.com)

I had a half hour foot exfoliation, Mike had a half hour foot mud wrap with guided meditation. Then we had a 1 hour deep detox massage. I then had a 1 hour balancing facial, Mike had a 1 hour men's facial. The we both got together for a half hour geisha spa. After four hours, we floated out on clouds.

We had an "Eden Indulgence" package at Bayview Eden on the Park. Mum had given Mike that as a Christmas present, along with a bottle of Domaine Chandon, which we were too tired and well-fed to drink! The package included drinks at the bar, followed by dinner and breakfast in the Niche Cafe. We had a 12 noon checkout, but ended up leaving early and went to Melb Central / Myer / QV for some kid-free shopping. It was lovely just ambling around the city for a couple of hours, browsing, chatting etc. ...the weekend has made me think of booking a hotel weekend in July for some mid-year sales shopping - want to join in???

We had dinner at a friends to farewell their neice who is heading back to Brazil after a year here learning English. It was a feast of Brazillian specialties. They have amazing food, and really interesting friends. We had a great time there before finally getting home after dark.

Although I didn't finish any of my meals all weekend, it is amazing how much food I put away this weekend after my partial unfill! I'll have to watch it from now until my next review or I'll be undoing my good work!

[okielapgirl]

I am so glad that you are doing better, Anna. I was worried about you. Here are some hugs, anyway. I just wanted to say that your weekend sounded lovely. I need some pampering and that sounds awesome.