I just lost 15lbs in 10 days - things can go downhill in a hurry!

[ginabobina]

So, Tuesday the 27th I had a small fill - went from 7.9 to 8 ccs. Everything was fine - felt just right until Sunday. I had lunch off a salad bar after church and when I got home I was on the laptop and got this massive wave of nausea... thank goodness there was an empty baseball cup next to me because I projectile vomited before I could even get up!! Ran to the bathroom and just hurled like nobody's business. Felt fine after that - thought something from the salad might have been bad and my body did a preemptive strike. Went to the park for the afternoon and sipped fluids.

I knew things would be irritated and swollen from throwing up so I sticked to liquids aside from the pills I take. As the week went on, I couldn't get pills down and could only keep small amounts of fluids down. I used phenergan every day and threw up every day. I tried to get in to the office yesterday but it didn't work out until this morning. Yesterday I only kept down less than EIGHT OUNCES of water!!!! When I got a shower this morning I could hardly stand and my breathing was shallow - I had DH drive me to the office because I was also dizzy and afraid to drive myself. I am so weak it is crazy! Dawn, God bless her, got me all fixed up and back down to 7.9. I'm sipping on a latte slooooowly and will stay on liquids until I am sure I'm healed up good. I'm to keep sipping constantly but very slowly, just like after surgery.

Soooo, I'm feeling much better and hope the energy will come back as i get hydrated. She said she's seeing a number of band patients come in and be too tight and it is probably the heat wave... so be aware of that as the temps get higher... and don't be stubborn like me and think it will take care of itself! Dehydration is dangerous, especially when the heat index is over 100 and the air quality is poooo! :eek:

Send hydrating thoughts!:cool:

[chattykathywlc]

awww you poor thing. Doesnt sound like fun at all. You may want to try some gatorade too to get your electrolytes in also.
Hope you feel better soon,
Kat

[JDru]

Gina that sounds terrible!! I'm glad you went in and got an unfill. Hope you feel better soon!! :)

[HeatherGurl]

oh wow!!! I feel your pain girl! I am dubbing myself the queen of being too tight. It ALWAYS happens to me. I am SO glad you went to the Dr. for a slight unfill. I did the same on Monday because I was too tight. I had a smidge taken out and it's another world.

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Gina honey.. I'm so glad you went to the Dr.. being dehydrated is NO fun like you've said. Bless your heart.. and big hugs!!!

Glad you're feeling much better now... take care k? Hugsssss again :)

[DebbieChoos]

Well I am glad that you are feeling better, I bet that warm yummy latte helped things! Dehydration is nothing to mess with there missy, glad you got an unfill. And Gina, you stubbern...never!

[mimi r]

GINA!!!!!!

I am so sorry, babe. I read your post & thought how miserable you must feel. Here is wishing you many happy thoughts.

I had not thought about the heat affecting our band so. I thought the tightness the past week was due to stress. Some days I just give up on keeping anything down. Even in the mountains of WNC it has been 93-94" the past week, & I have struggled with foods that had not bothered me before. What you said makes complete sense. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Please keep us posted.

Phyllis

[SteffiLee]

AH- Gina- I am glad you are going to be ok! That does not sound like fun at all! Hugs! SteffiLee

[Dustbunny]

I'm glad you survived and hope the 15 pounds stays mostly gone. Drink one for me. DB

[kristina]

poor gina..i have been so worried about u...keep us posted sweets!

[Patrick]

Gina friend, sorry that you had to go through those struggles. Glad that things are settling down for you. the good thing is that any lb lost is a good lb lost. Think of it as a jump start on your next goal. See ya soon at the next event.

[GirlyGirl]

Gina,

Like all your other bandland friends I am wishing you well and hoping you feel better soon. Vomiting is one of the things in life that I hate the most. Other than being pinned inside an MRI machine with my arms over my head for an hour and trying to resist the impulse to panic, can I think of anything worse. Well maybe there are other things in life worse but I sure do hate to throw up. Especially projectile style like you did.

Feel better! And if I ever get mine I'll know to be careful about the way the temperature effects my band.

I'm a bandland wanna be, (my surgery was postponed from 6/5 while I'm waiting for MRI results of my liver, enzymes too high says my PCP, overkill if you ask me...)

Jeralin

["Just Jess"]

sorry to hear of your troubles, gina! i'm glad you had the unfill and are feeling better. it's crazy to me how just a teeny bit can make such a HUGE difference. i've never been too tight, so i can't understand that feeling - but i can sure tell you all you'll ever need to know about not being tight enough! hahahaha

keep us posted as to your progress!!!!!

[bgrand]

Gina....are you feeling better hon???

[ginabobina]

well, it ended up being a rough night - not sure how I could get stuck on liquids but I did - it was kind of like gas pressure in my upper stomach and eventually threw up and cleared out. This morning I'm doing well so far - sipped on hot tea and now still sipping on it. I'm going to stick with water the next few hours and see how it goes, then try milk. Thanks for your thoughts everyone!!

[itsfinallytimeforme]

wow, could you have gotten food poisoning? glad its over now, take it easy, know how being too tight is and its scairy as hell!!!!!!!!!

hang in there

Jo Ann

[kristina]

Gina, how can u prevent being too tight? it sounds like even a tiny fill can put you over the edge, and yet still not at your sweet spot. i feel so very bad for you...i know your energy level has to be about a zero! rest and sip rest and sip...prayers ur way love!

[stac1982]

Ouch girl! Hope it is getting better. Take care of yourself!

[brwneyedbeauty]

AHHH Gina I'm sorry that had to happen you poor thing...I hope your feeling better soon;-) take care

Cheri

[mimi r]

Gina:
So glad you are feeling better - even a little bit. Take it easy; take it slow. You are worth it; You are number ONE!

Phyllis

[ginabobina]

Well, I kept everything down yesterday - woo hoo!! Went from clear liwuids to milk and was even able to eat a little applesauce last night. Light at the end of the tunnel!

Kristina, as far as how not to get too tight.. it's a bit of a process. During a fill, you drink something while you're still on your back to make sure liquids go down at the new level. If it's too tight, the liquid will hang (feels cold in your esophagus) and I know some people have spit right back up. Then they take a tiny bit out and whoosh, you hear a gurgle when the liquid makes it down. As long as you can get the liquid down without your throat feeling tight or funny, the idea is that you're about right... then liquids 2 days, mushies 2 days and back to regular foods as you can. Both times I have gotten too tight happened gradually. I was fine after the fill but a few weeks later something happened to make it tighter (can be time of the month, PBs, etc). Then if it's too tight and you start having PBs, it irritates the stomach causing it to swell, thereby closing your opeing (stoma) even more. It can effectively swell shut, barely allowing liquids to trickle through... that's a ticket straight to the doc for an unfill because you'll get dehydrated very quickly. I think what I have now learned is that although 8ccs is a good fill level for me on most days, it doesn't leave any room for error and that is important. I need to allow room because it WILL get tighter during part of my cycle or if I have alot of drainage from allergies or a cold. 7.9 seems to be the right place for me... but I have to keep working on choosing the right foods and exercising and can't rely entirely on the band to just stop me from eating like my old self! Sorry, that's a long answer but I hope it helps!)

[mimi r]

Thanks, Gina, that was good advice for all of us. Even after 7 months with a band, I am still learning.

Phyllis.

[bgrand]

About 3 weeks after a fill I will get tight for no reason. If I take it easy and do liquids, soft mushies, it kind of works itself out. If I can get past the 3rd week...it's all good. well except for reflux at night.

[Patrick]

For all people reading this, these comments just highlite how individual each and everyone one of us is, even with the same size band. We all react differently to the time of the month (women) weather, foods we eat, fitness and activity, etc. And as you can see, you have to constantly monitor you eating habits. Carelessness will cause reactions that you probably do not want.
Gina has given an excellent report on her progress, and that worked for her.

[Jess_22554]

Gina I am so sorry you went through this! I know all too well how not being able to keep anything down feels. I'm glad the slight unfill did it for you. My doc took all but .5ccs out of my band 5 weeks ago and I go back for a fill on Thursday (phew!). Glad things are getting better for you!

[Odell]

Gina, Thankyou for your insight. You have been a help to me a couple of times on this sight. I wish I would have read this thread sooner. Looks like I am going to have to get some taken out tomorrow. I was fine after my last fill a last week, until Thursday. I wondered if my menstrual cycle had anything to do with it. I started throwing up Thursday, still on Friday. Saturday morning it was difficult to get down warm and cold liquid. As the day progressed I did better, I was able to eat a little bit of soft food. That evening it all went to heck and I threw up again. Now today I could barely get liquid down, then did better, ate soft food again and I now I have terrible heart burn and I won't let myself throw up because it hurts. Man I am in alot of discomfort and some pain today. Tomorrow can't get here fast enough. I didn't realize that things can change a few days to weeks after a fill. I am very thankful for this sight. It has been a huge help to me. Thanks again Gina!

[mimi r]

But wasn't the Lap Band the EASY way out?!@#$!!?????
Let's ALL Laugh Out Loud!!!!

Phyllis

[kristina]

Gina, thank you so much for your answer...i hate that you went through this, but it looks like your experiences have helped alot of people on here. me included...so would u say 7.9 is your sweet spot?

[ginabobina]

I'm thinking I may even want to back off to 7.85 - it's not much but I'm nervous about crossing over my 1 year mark, which for me means the end of the "free fills" I paid for up front. So I want to be sure I have room to work my band and not get into trouble. It's a slow recovery process this time - did well all day but got a lit overconfident tonight - had refried beans thinned out with sour cream... I guess there was a little bit of skin from a bean or two and it clogged me up. I was able to get a lot of fluids in and a protein shake though so I should be perking up. Thanks again to ALL of you for your support!!! HUGS!

And yeah, I just love it when people say WLS is the easy way out... and i HATE it when people say "so and so lost it the old-fashioned way, diet and exercise" as if we don't have to do the same thing! IMHO the surgery has just made it possible for the dietary changes and exercise I have already tried 100 times to actually WORK and to work long term

[Odell]

I AGREE!! Only those who have not had surgery are the ones saying that it is the easy way out. I hate that. I tell everyone that asks me about it and who are thinking of having surgery, You have to want to lose weight more than anything else. It is hard work, and like never before, you have to be very aware of your eating. I am still learning how difficult that is. Man this is tough!

Gina, I think I am where you are this weekend. I have to study for a final at school and can't because i am SOOO uncomfortable and in some pain. Water even hurts. I am glad you are better and this time tomorrow (Monday) I hope to be as well.

Again I say... MAN THIS IS TOUGH!!!!!!!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Gina I love reading your posts.. I learn so much from them, (not that I want you to hurt or anything, but you tell it like it is, and that helps me so much).

Glad you're doing better.. and I sure hope you feel LOTS better soon!! Hugs!! Love ya!!

[Odell]

Gina, I guess I really am in the boat with you, I found out today that I have lost 7lbs in about 2 1/2 days. I am glad about the weight, but not what I had to go through. It's liquids for me today and maybe tomorrow as well. I had to get .25cc's removed. I couldn't even swallow my own saliva last night when I went to bed. Then that became my 4th day of throwing up. I do feel better now, I sure hope you do. I can honestly say, I feel your pain!

[ginabobina]

Odell we have been in the same boat for sure! I got down a whole big protein smoothie and feel much better relatively speaking. Just took my vitamins which I haven't been able to take... that should also help. I haven't bounced immediately back up too high on the scale so we'll see how it works out in the end. I expect some of it will have to come back just from being hydrated. I have my one year appointment this Friday and hope to be all better by then!

[Liberty]

So happy to hear you are feeling better. You have such a positive and genuine spirit. I appreciate your posts. Take care of youself.

[SteffiLee]

Thanks for the updates! Everyone's experiences on this are good for those of us still to be banded because it gives us a heads up for our future. Sometimes I get a little freaked reading about complications but then I remind myself that weighing 335 pounds with no way to successfully lose weight the "old fashioned way" should freak me out MORE! At least with a band I will have a tool that can be worked - which is more than any frickin diet ever gave me! So, BandLand I am still a comin'! Two weeks and counting! :) SteffiLee

[DebbieChoos]

Good lord Gina, next week is your one-year bandiversary! You're dam close to 100 freaking pounds (well you're at 90, thats close enough for me!) This time next year imagine where you'll be, lets just hope all my pancakes don't sabotage your weight-loss!

[ginabobina]

I ate real food last night!! Woo hoo!! I got lots and lots of fluid in yesterday and am starting to feel a bit more normal now - whew!

SteffiLee I know what you mean about feeling a little freaked when reading about complications but ask anyone and I bet you'll get the same as you do from me - I have NO REGRETS!!! The hiccups and time it takes to figure out how to work your band are well worth the trouble... and a lot of people have little to no trouble at all - every journey is a little different.

Thanks again everyone - your support means so much!!

[kristina]

Gina..how ya doing love?

[ginabobina]

doing OK - still can't eat much solid stuff - of course, Aunt Flo arrived yesterday so my poor little tight band is not giving much room to mess around right now! My big question right now is whether to ask for a little more to be taken out since it will be my last paid-for-already fill on Friday. Thanks for checking in:wink2:

[kristina]

did u decide to have more taken out girl? if u cant eat solids i would say heck yah! its def. been a few days since i last asked...so how r ya now?

[ginabobina]

yeah I had more taken out last Friday but had swelling from the process of taking the saline out and putting it back in so I swelled shut again... I have a post somewhere about vomiting again and being frustrated... could barely get liquids down all weekend. I went in on Monday and they took out .3 and I'm MUCH better now! They're going to leave it alone for 3 months to let it completely settle down and heal because it was obviously very irritated down there. I'm a little nervous about going 3 months without a fill but for now I'm excited to be eating more normally, well band-normal anyway! Thanks for checkin in!

[kristina]

hey sweets...well u lost so much weight through that whole process...as long as you just sustain for 3 months, all will be fine. you are doing GREAT..health first..weight loss second...so glad you're better, but soooo sorry you even had to deal. poor thing. i would like to buy you chocolate. oops. that mighta shoulda been a pm. LOL

[ginabobina]

lol!! ha ha ha... the first thing I got on the way home was a big protein smoothie - chocolate with double peanut butter.... mmmmmmmmm. And I totally had a few Hershey's kisses since then.... shhhhhhh :wink2: Aunt Flo without chocolate, yeah whatever!! It is probably why I've lost 90 not 120 but I can live with that.

[kristina]

she came to visit me this morning too girl!..and i was wondering why i kept going to the freezer with my baby spoon and hitting the chocolate chip cherry icecream....after kicking butt at the gym! i was so mad at me...but now i get it! and i lost 1 more pound to boot!