Water pills???

[queenie74]

Does anyone take 'water pills' to reduce swelling, especially around that time of the month? I have had countless fills and unfills during the two years I've been banded, and my surgeon thought this might be a good option for me (I think a lot of my tightness and needing unfills is due to hormonal swelling). I am desperate to make my band work, but it always goes like this: it is too loose, so I get a fill, have a week or so of band perfection, and then get too tight, unable to swallow even liquids, and have to get an unfill. Over and over and over. I eat the right foods, I eat slowly, I take small bites, I try hot liquids, all to no avail--the swelling and tightness always return. Has anyone had success with this sort of situation using 'water pills'? I'm probably gonna ask my GP for a prescription for them next week. Please let me know your thoughts!

[adiase]

I do drink prescribed water pills, give it a trey, it helps me a lot!

[MoOrLess]

I'm older and had a hysterectomy so I don't deal with the hormonal swelling like you do. It sounds like a feasible way to go - if your band fill issue really is from water retention.

I am just wondering -- does your surgeon have you drink water before you leave the office? How much do you get at each fill, usually? And when you go home after a fill - do you do liquids for 48 hours, then mushies, then regular foods? These are things my surgeon has me do and I honestly never have a problem with my fills.

I'm not saying it isn't typical what you are going through - it happens to many bandsters...I'm just trying to help you and me understand what is going on here. You shouldn't have to give up your fills EVERY time...although I will say that Sassy (Tracy) has had to be completely unfilled and seems to have issues with fills also. You might want to PM her about it.

HUGS - I hope this gets worked out soon for you. You deserve to have proper restriction.

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

I take water pills to begin with, so I'm no help with your question ,,, Also, I've never had any trouble with fills. Bless your heart for hanging in through the rollercoaster fill ride you've been on. Sure hope you find some key that will make your journey easier for you ,,, Maybe the water pills will be just the ticket !!

[newlifeat57]

I too, take a diuretic to fight off the edema I deal with. But, I still had to be unfilled 3 times within the last 8 months. My issues aren't from water retention but from stress. I seem to internalize my stress which causes me to swell whenever I irritate my little pouch--either from food getting stuck or from not chewing right. I'm now partially unfilled due to having knee surgery and I feel as if I have a good restriction. As I heal, I feel my band getting slightly looser. But each time I go through some painful therapy, I experience some swelling. In your case, maybe a diuretic will work. Just be sure to replenish the water you lose. You can get dehydrated quicker taking water pills.

[MyGenesis]

On the occassions when I take a diuretic I have to rehydrate with a sports type drink...Otherwise I get twitchy. G-2 (Gatorade light) has been great for replacing the electrolytes lost. I would give it a try!