How long would you let it go...

...if you were all of a sudden tighter than normal?  I've had 2 fills (okay, so I had 3 technically, but had the third one taken out completely after 10 days)...I have about 4 cc's in my band - in October I had .5 cc's put in, and 10 days later, had it taken out...since then, I have had no fills, no issues, good restriction, etc.  All of a sudden over the last week +, I seem to be tighter for no apparent reason.  Initially I thought perhaps it was because of TOM, but that has come and gone and still I'm tighter than normal.  Today, I have a terrible stomach ache and I'm wondering if I'm just getting sick or if it's band related.  My friend was asking this morning, how long was I going to "ignore" this and it got me thinking - if you were to suddenly get tight, would you wait it out and see if it just went away or would you go in and see if there was a problem or you needed an unfill or something....I'm kind of reluctant to have any taken out since I've been FINE with my restriction since that last unfill in October, so I keep thinking this is some weird temporary thing?
In the past, when I have a sinus problem or get sick, I'm tighter, TOM does it, so there are things that cause me to become tighter, but they all pass.  I'm able to drink just fine, it's just eating that is proving to be a challenge - I can get a couple of bites in, but that's it....and so I've been having more protein shakes than usual just so I'm getting my protein and stuff in.

Any thoughts, suggestions?  How long would you "let it go" before going in?

If I was throwing up -- or unable to swallow my own saliva, I would let that go for about 4 -6 hours (that is under my doctor's instructions).

If I was able to eat a few bites of food -- and more of soft food/soups, chili, etc, I would probably let that go for 2 - 3 days.

I would not let myself get to the place where I relied on soft/mushy food or protein shakes for more than a few days ------- I have seen too many people slide into that and get used to it -- and stop losing and risk slippage.

I think the problem with a lot of bandsters is that they suffer thinking this is the band and how to lose weight.  I suggest you call your dr and let them know what you are feeling etc.  let them decide for you.   The band is a helpful tool when used correctly, but sometimes we suffer and harm ourselves not wanting a slight unfill.   We need to eat real food and use the protein shakes when told to use liquids by the dr.  ie; after a fill, or being stuck.   Please call, no point in harming yourself.

Ditto to what Ann said.

Jean

The first sign that I get having problems eating or drinking when I get a fill I will be in the docs the next day getting some taken out .

being to tight with the band is nothing to mess with and in the long run its not worth the problems it can cause .

I would much rather be on the looser side which I am right now then be that way. It might be that I might lose weight a little slower but that is fine with me also because I dont want to end up having the band taken out of me because ignoring little things that dont feel right.

Right now I havent had a fill and the doc is scared that if I would get a fill i would be to tight just from one fill and so he is refusing to give me fills and I havent asked for one either .

When you just let things go because you dont want to let that sweet spot go you are playing a very dangerous game imo and that is one game I will not play with the band  .

Yeah, I'm not throwing up at all...it's just that I get that feeling like it's just sitting (in my chest) after a couple bites....it passes after a while, but obviously, when I feel that, I'm done eating.

I will call the doc and see what they think - I really think it will pass, but to everyone's point - I don't want to risk it if I'm wrong I guess.

Thanks.

I had a similar problem not too long ago.  I ate something spicy and got heartburn.  I don't normally get heartburn, so I just thought I can tough it out and it will go away soon.   The acid in my stomach irritated the opening of my stomach.  It made the band feel tighter.  Food went through slower irritating the stomach more, and it just kept building on itself.  I gave it a week, then went in.  After a slight unfill and letting my stomach heal, I'm 100% better.  I just got my fill back today.  There is no reason to let yourself be uncomfortable (and you might do harm in the long run).  I am very glad I went in and had it taken care of.  Now I'm back to where I was fill wise .

I had the same thing happen toward the end of the year and let it go on a bit too long. I wasn't having heartburn, reflux, etc. but ended up getting stuck rather easily. I ended up having to have 2 full cc taken out plus an upper GI just before the first of Jan. All was fine but I am only recently noticing being hungry too soon. Up until now I have felt fine, with decent restriction so I think I may have caused things to be rather swollen in there. I had only 4.5cc in my band before this so doing well with so little has surprised me. I won't be able to be refilled until we get back home in mid April so I will just keep on the way I have.

Don't be afraid of getting some out. It is always better to err on the side of being loose than to be too tight. Loose doesn't cause slips, etc. I understand your bewilderment and fear of an unfill but believe me it is not the end of the world. You should not have to have as much out as I did if you get on it now. Call your surgeon and let them help you decide. Good luck.

I agree with everyone else. I just had to get an unfill recently and the doctor looked at my chart and said, "wow, you had an unfill the same time last year!" Allergies are a killer for me and make me very tight. I knew I was in trouble when I turned to slider foods more often. That is one of the big signs that you are too tight! Like everyone has said, call the doctor and get his opinion on the unfill.