Debating on getting an unfill. Could use some advice.

I was banded about 1.5 years ago.  At my lowest weight, I had lost around 80lbs since the pre-surgery diet, but over the last 6 months or so, I've been putting it back on, and have put about 30lbs back on.  Which largely has been my own fault due to eating too many slider foods, and not getting enough excersize during the winter (cannot WAIT until better weather so I can get out more).

One problem I have, is that dense protein foods tend to get stuck WAY too easy, and make me sick.  Even broiled fish, chewed to within an inch of it's life, will cause me to vomit after only a couple of bites.  I don't even TRY to eat veggies most of the time because of this.

In previous visits to the doctors office, she looked at the band under the floroscope, and it looked ok, and at the right restriction level, but I'm wondering if it's actually too tight for any food denser than yogurt.

I can't decide if I'm too tight, or perhaps I'm just not chewing enough, or eating too fast.  While at the same time, I'm nervous about having any fluid taken out.

I have an appt. in 2 weeks, and I'mm going to try the 5 day pouch test to see if I can get any results.

Has anyone been in this type of situation?  Any suggestions?

 What you describe would be too tight for me.  The fluroscope only shows how liquids are passing, not solids.  So, it may be technically *safe* at a particular level of restriction but not necessarily more effective for weight loss.  When you are so tight that it's uncomfortable to eat healthy, whole foods, what do you do?  You eat sliders, which often give you less satisfaction and more calories. 

I'd get an unfill, and enjoy those veggies and meats again!

Tami

You are too tight and you could of affect your weight loss by not treating this earlier and turning to slider foods.

You should be able to eat dense protein. We shouldn't keep our bands at level so tight we drink protein shakes as meals ..

My suggestion to you since you can't eat anything dense is make make a soup .. my fresh and easy makes this wonderful smooth chicken tortilla soup .. I pulse 1 can of chicken in a blender or my small food processer so its super flaked and I add that to the soup for added protein. Plus it makes it a tad thicker so it stays with me a little longer.

I would try oatmeal too.. I would try to eat things mushy to eat and not rely on sliders until your appointment.

Good LUCK 

Being too tight doesn't mean faster weight loss.  You need to be able to eat dense protein and veggies carefully and not vomit.    I've only been stuck 4x's in 19 months and can eat anything.  I've never PB'd.  The stucks were because the food was just too dry.

I'd be nervous not to get a small unfill.  Vomiting puts your band at risk.  Eating sliders only slows your weight loss and ability to get good nutrition in.

As far as exercise, try a DVD and workout in front of the TV.  I live in Iowa and it's been nasty cold and snowy up until this week.  I'm in better shape now than I was in the summer, because of DVD's.

I don't know much about the pouch test, seems to me like real life eating is showing you that you are too tight.

I had this a few weeks ago I had an adjustment and feel much better I can eat protein again and have stopped the vomiting-I had a whole ml removed but I had just had a knee replacement so I was probably holding fluid-
This works for you just need to find the right adjustment! I say Return to basic no fluids but those foods that have protein and work for you- maybe lo carb best of luck and let us know-

Ok the thing about the 5 day pouch test is this...you will see results BUT how long will they last.  For a bandster if you can't eat SOLID protein the 5 day test won't HELP you with that.

Sounds like you are to tight.  You SHOULD be able to tolerate solid foods.  Only YOU know if you are not chewing enough and/or eating to fast.

Do NOT be afraid of an unfill if in the LONG run it'll help you.  In order to be more successful you NEED to eat FOOD real FOOD and yes some vegetables too and if you CAN'T then you ARE doing yourself an injustice and I don't think you went through all this (WLS) to do yourself wrong.

My suggestion is 1. to get like a .1 unfill and see how you do with meat  2. clean the house of ALL the "bad" stuff  3. start moving NOW use a DVD or just whatever you need to do to get moving

Much success to you.

Ms Shell

That would be too tight for me! How about just a tiny unfill?

Kate

Agree, you need a small unfill (you've got "SSS' =soft food/slider syndrome).  I had a fluoro test AFTER a partial unfill of 2cc's (had gotten very tight).  The Radiologist had to give me a thicker barium because the initial stuff wasn't budging.   Even the thicker stuff was just barely getting through.  I went back about a week later to my (then) Doc and he looked at the films and said the barium looked perfect...it was so NOT perfect as there was no way I could have eaten anything (not even mushies) at the time I had that fluoro test.   My point is the fluoro isn't always a perfect test for good restriction.

It's easier to lose when you can eat solid proteins 3-4oz. first.

If you don't get an unfil you may cause your band to slip and you can't drink or eat anything trust me I know and it's very uncomfortable. So get a unfil they can adjust you after that.

Hang in there, cuz I am right there with ya.  Mine has just started heading this way since this past weekend.  I called my doc.  They're giving me till tomorrow afternoon.  If I'm still feeling the same way we are going to take out just a hair of the fluid. 

It's just better safe than sorry.  We'll both probably lose more weight if we have them take out a small amount of the fluid because we will both be able to eat as we are meant to with our bands. 

Keep me posted?
Amy