Dilated

[kim_8]

:mad: ok - so I haven't been to the fill center for about 5 months. My weight loss has been sub-optimal. I found that I was able to eat more and decided to go in for a fill. They said that I was dilated. The stomach above my band has been stretched out. They removed most of the fill from my band and I'm on clear liquids for 3 days and then on mushies for another 4 days. I go back in 7 days to be re-evaluated. The goal is for my stomach to shrink some.

I'm wondering if anyone have experience with this and what the chances are that my enlarged stomach will go back to the way it was supposed to be?? They say that the chances are good, but it didn't look so good to me under flouroscopy.

[PhotoNut]

Dang Kim, I'm sorry to hear this. I have heard of this happening and from what I remember, letting the fill out and giving things a break does help the stomach return to normal. I'm sure there are others who know more about it than me, so hopefully they'll speak up.

Did your Dr say what caused the dialation? Did you have any signs of this happening before you went in? Any reason to think something wasn't right?

[kim_8]

Hey Sus -
From what I have read, vomiting and overeating are two factors that can contribute to this.

I started to lose that "stop eating feeling" that I'd had before and so I assumed that my band was just loose and food was slipping through instead of hanging up top. Sometimes food would get stuck and I would throw up. My family said this happened as much as once a week - I didn't realize it was that often. I had such a bad experience with the tight band that I was leary of going back in. When I ate a huge chicken salad and ate the whole thing with no problem, I thought ok - I should go get a fill, this is getting stupid. I'm eating around the band and I'm not following bandster rules, time to get back with the program. So, I was looking forward to the fill finally and then found this out. I'm on day 2 of liquids now and my stomach is growling as I type. I know they say your stomach can shrink back. I just hope I didn't leave it stretched out for too long and hope I didn't gave it a memory that it won't forget and won't go back to the way it was. I'll find out more in 7 days.

Just curious if anyone else has had this happen and if so, did your stomach go back? How long did it take, and how long between fills did you go before you learned this happened.

Moral of this story? You guys be careful of the amount you eat. Just because you can, doesn't mean do it. I'm sure everyone knows this, but I am overweight because of uncontrollable eating. I'm going to have to make a change in myself even with the band. Hard thing to do.... I'm sad, but now have a better understanding of what can and will happen if you eat more than they say to. I have new motivation now anyway.

[PhotoNut]

Hey Kim,

Thanks for sharing all of that. It's very important information that we all need to hear! I've heard many folks who have had the band for some time say that they just can't feel that restriction anymore. Your experience makes me wonder if this is when we need to be most careful. Did you know you were full and just keep pushing yourself to get more in? I ask because I've been doing that very thing. In fact, Linda V and I were just talking about this yesterday at lunch. We know full well when we are no longer hungry, we feel the stop signals, but we continue to nibble and pick and take our time so more will fit in. I personally have had times when I've been bloody miserable from eating too much.

As I am typing this, I am attempting to eat a bowl of soup. I think yesterday's fill just might have done the trick. I dont think I can possibly eat more, but good grief I'm sure wanting to. I am trying to tell myself that it's ok that I didnt get much, there's plenty more for when I'm hungry again, and there's no reason to feel deprived.

Anyway, this is excellent advice Kim and exactly why we are all here sharing our experiences with one another. I'm going to put my soup in the kitchen now, out of sight and hopefully out of mind.

Keep us posted on your situation, Kimmers. And um, if I haven't said this loud enough yet.. IM GLAD YOURE HERE! :)

[kim_8]

Thanks for the welcome back Sus. I'm glad I'm here. I do better with some support I think! Keeps my mind on the band and apparently I need that!

Yes, sometimes I would be full and still try and eat more.... though WAY less than I would have pre-banding. Old habits die hard. My biggest meal was an ordinary salad from a little place here that makes a pretty big salad and it's got fried chicken pieces in it. I found that I was satisfied about 1/3 way through the salad, but no signals of STOP, so I kept eating. I was definitely really full when I finished. It was way more than a cup though - even at the 1/3 of the salad.

If I didn't chew well enough and something got stuck, then this was still a dead stop to eating.

Other times I would eat just a little and feel full. It seemed the band was fickle - which I still believe it is (or we are). I do know that I ate more than a cup on a pretty regular basis.

Stick to your portion sizes you know are right. Listen for that full feeling - even if it's not the "dead stop signal".... don't depend on this thing too much. I think that's what I was doing and where I went wrong. Before, I was losing bunches of weight and the band would absolutely keep me from eating... now it's different. Subtle signals vs. blaring.

Hope that helps someone out there! Meanwhile, I am so hungry I could eat my foot and it would be tasty. Going for a protein shake now...... :p

[PhotoNut]

Hello?? Anyone else relate to this or have similar experiences?

Come on members.. let us hear from you! I KNOW you're out there! :)

[HeatherGurl]

I get worried that this has happened to me also... just because I am paranoid and when I called to make my 1 year check up appt., the nurse said that they would check for dialatation. So, I am just 100% sure something is wrong with me and I don't deserve the band :) I go next Thursday, so I will let you guys know what is going on.
THANK you so much Kim for sharing your story.

[503-250]

I've been working the docs to convert my floro to DVD, once I get it I am going to put it online...then you will all be able to see my...private parts. I'm assuming since they said all is well that I do not need to worry about dilation...which anytime a doctor uses that term it is associated with bad things.

Your pouch might be dilated...unfill
You are still only X centimeters dilated Mrs. Smith, there's a lot more pain, huffing and puffing and cursing your husband before this baby comes out.

[oneflew]

Hey Kim,

Hang in there over the hunger thing. You'll make it. I worry about dilation sometimes, too. I will definitely take your advice and start measuring again and stopping!!!! when I feel a little full. Thank you for sharing and I'm sure the doc will have good news for you when you go back!
:)

[kim_8]

Thanks guys! I'm hanging in there. This liquid thing has dropped 3 lbs off me already. This is a bright spot in the middle of this I suppose! I'll let you know what happens. Fingers, toes, eyes crossed meanwhile....

[kim_8]

Good News ---- No GREAT news! After a week of being on liquids and mushies to see if I can get my dilation in check, I have

1) Lost 6.5 lbs (down from 171 to 164.5)

and best of all

2) My stomach has returned to normal and they gave me a re-fill. Up to 1.9ccs now (was at 1.7)

I feel lucky, lucky, lucky. I'm behaving now :-):tape2:

[Diva]

Good for you Kim! You've got me rethinking how I eat. I am so glad things turned out for the best. In the meanwhile, you've helped a lot of people by sharing your experience. I thank you.

[kim_8]

Thanks Diva - it's got me re-thinking the way I eat, too! *slurps my room temperature EAS advantage carb control protein shake and am still smiling*

[PhotoNut]

Oh Kimmers! I'm SO GLAD to hear this GREAT news! I've been thinking about you a lot and I've also become more aware of my own eating habits. After what you've gone through, I'm much more willing to stop when I know I should! *big happy hugs* Thank goodness everythings ok with you! Now behave yourself! LOL!

[christa94]

hello all. sometimes i worry about pouch dilation. mainly because i am stable with my weight, and i can eat more than i used to. sometimes i eat and am miserable afterward because i am so full. i slow down with the hopes that food will pass through the band and i get to eat a little more. but, then i get a hold of myself and go back to my regular portions and all seems fine. i don't have a doctor. i was banded in mex. and no one here will touch me. so i am flying solo here. once i get insurance the local doctor MAY see me.

[PhotoNut]

Christa, why not call your Dr in Mexico and schedule a follow up appointment so they can do a flouro on you? I'm not sure where you are, but I've noticed a LOT of airline specials going on right now. Most docs in Mexico give free follow up care, and with a cheap fare you might be able to be seen by your band surgeon for less than seeing someone locally. It's worth checking into right?

Best of luck with that, and listen to your band. Don't push it. Stop when you know you should. Take care of yourself and keep us posted on what you find out ok?

[christa94]

susan,
that is a really good idea. truth is, right now, i don't have the money. i have been out of work for about 8 weeks and just got a temporary job to help with expenses. christmas is around the corner. i can't spring for another couple of hundred right now for this. hopefully, i will be getting this permanent job that pays out of the who-ha, and if so, i will get a fill and pay off my surgery bill by january or feb. ok, i know, a little too much info, but those are the reasons why i haven't gone in for a fill in mexico.

[Lovemylpband]

Hi, Hey Kim I'm glad everything has turned out ok for you. Last night I ate to much for the first time. I had really bad pains most of the night and into today. Now I am having strange throat pain/feeling. But I wanted to ask you did your port area hurt. Mine hurts a lot and everytime I mention it to the Dr he tells me it's fine. But today it really hurts. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks

[Kathy]

Okay kim, it's 11/13, have you gone back?

I've been fretting over possible erosion, wondering if slippage is an issue with me, but it's more likely what you have, if I'm honest. My restricition seems to come and go. Then get this, yesterday I ate lunch at Bob Evans after church (a regular deal with us) and I ordered the veggie plate. 4 choices. I ordered a salad w/ ranch, baked potato, steamed veggies, and cole slaw. I ate the salad, almost all the veggies, a few bites of cole slaw, and nibbled the corner of my son's chicken finger. Then, and this hasnt' happened to me in ages and ages, well over a year, I took one more small bite of cole slaw. Slime, up to the bathroom, and up it came. One bite too many. Perhaps it was the steamed broccoli that stayed up top a bit longer than I anticipated? Who knows, but I sure quit eating after that. This just makes me wonder if I'm being too hard on my band when eating? Maybe I have dilated the pouch? Not slippage, but stretchage :lol: right?

Let me know how you are doing. You may just be singing my song!!!!

DOH! There's 2 pages to this thread...I'll catch up real quick. BRB

Okay, that's great news kim. Thanks for the update I didn't read, haha.

christa94, I was banded in MX, too and I'm in North Carolina with 2 young children and a self-employed hubby. Getting back on a plane is just not happening these days! So I know where you are. (((hugs))) I'm fortunate and have an appt with a local band doc on Wed. I'll be discussing these things with him. It feels good to NOT be flapping in the wind after coming back from MX. I was fine being my own patient advocate and flying solo, just getting fills from a bariatric surgeon (not a band doc) up the highway a ways, but now it's time for some local follow-along. You'll feel good getting in with a local band doc.

Dianne, stick to liquids and start sipping aloe vera juice. Yes, my port hurts a bit when I have stressed my band. Normal, but it isn't PAINful, right? It's more likely to be exercise related. Plus, as you lose fat I swear your port starts to want to move around in there and adjust to your new body shape. I'm concerned more about your esophogus. Prilosec and aloe vera till you can see your doc if it doesn't improve. IMHO.

[PhotoNut]

*chuckles at Kathy*

Youre so darn cute! :) *hugs*

[Kathy]

teehee, I crack myself up, too. :D

[kim_8]

Sorry guys - been out of town and out of touch!

Christa94 - sounds alot like what I was doing. Trying to stop that now! My doc put me on liquids / mushies for a week and it seem to have cleared things up. I was lucky. If you can't get to a doc, maybe you could try the liquid thing to shink things back down a bit and then try to start again?

Dianne -
Yes, when I eat too much my port does hurt! Never thought too much about it. Not a totally terrible pain. More like an uncomfortable pain. Also happens when I exercise too much... same feeling.

Hey Kathy -
Hope all is going ok with you! My new fill seems to still allow me to eat too much. So I'm trying the measuring thing. 1/2 cup or so. I try not to eat more than that... but geez - I am sure not full at all! I have GOT to cut down the frequency of eating. I'm trying really hard to stick to small portions, but I seem to be eating more often now! I joined weight watchers and the accountability of weighing in helps keep me on track. I think I'll be going for another itty bitty fill. They only added .1 ccs over where I was when I stretched things out. I'm thinking I could use a little more. Holiday's will be difficult without doing this! Maybe you could try the 1/2 cup thing and see if that works. The counselor at the surgery center said this is the right amount that the little pouch can hold. Anything more is overfilling I guess. UGH.

[christa94]

kim- for the past 2 weeks i have gotten things back under control. i am measuring my portions (no more than 3 ozs at a time), i am keeping a food log and gone back to having my protein shake daily (46g of the good stuff). i am not overly full when i stick to this current plan. winging it is not too good for me. i meal plan for the whole day. no surprises. and i am not waiting as long between each meal and snack anymore. i would find if i was really really hungry i would overeat and try to pack in as much as possible. so, i have been making some changes and they have paid off. last week i lost 5 pounds. 3 were some pounds that i had lost and found. then i lost them again plus 2 more. this week i have lost 2.5 pounds, but i found 2 of them! hopefully by sunday (my official day to record my loss for the week) they will be gone plus a few more!

[kim_8]

Hey Christa -
Great job! Wow - 5 lbs in one week! That's awesome! I'm working on doing the same thing you are. I measured out my measly 1/2 cup of chilli for lunch. :-)

My weight does seem to be moving in the right direction, so it must be working. Just wishing the band would be doing more to help. I'm going to try and get that fill next week. I agree though - winging it isn't working. I'm going to HAVE to keep measuring!

Only a few more lbs and I'm in the 150's and then only 10 more after that and I get to move the big clunker thing on the scale down to the 100 mark. Then only a little over 10 lbs to goal! That will make my day!

Baby steps.... :-)

Congrats again

[Leenerbups]

Hey Kathy -
Hope all is going ok with you! My new fill seems to still allow me to eat too much. So I'm trying the measuring thing. 1/2 cup or so. I try not to eat more than that... but geez - I am sure not full at all! I have GOT to cut down the frequency of eating. I'm trying really hard to stick to small portions, but I seem to be eating more often now!


This sounds like me.

I'm afraid of dilation now that I finally have some restriction, but not feeling full at 1/2 cup of anything.

Actually. is anyone really sure of how much we should be eating??