You might be too tight if ...

I've had my band for over four years now, and still learning about it.  Since being back at OH, one of the things I've been pondering about is restriction.  It's just so subjective!  What is "good" restriction for one person is "too tight" for one person, and "too loose" for another.  Here are some of my thoughts about what might be considered "too tight" (note:  not everything is the same for everybody, YMMV, and I'm not judging anyone for choosing a different train of thought from mine.)

You might be too tight if ....

**You can't drink liquids without taking tiny sips and feeling it pool at the base of your throat as it slowly gurgles down.
**You struggle with getting in all your water for the day, because you have to take such tiny sips.
**There are a lot of healthy, whole foods on your "can't eat" list. (Nearly everyone has some.)
**When you do eat solid foods, it takes more than 30" to eat a salad plate-size portion of food.
**You PB frequently, or get stuck and have to stop eating before finishing a "bandster" portion.
**You drink with meals, even though you know you're not supposed to "because it just makes it easier to eat".
**You get heartburn, or nighttime reflux.
**You drink protein drinks, or eat a lot of soups because it's easier than solid food.
**You are hungry within a couple of hours of eating *because* you didn't eat enough, or had liquid or slider foods at the last meal (and so you end up grazing).
**You can't eat solid food until the afternoon.
**You ask yourself "am I too tight?" often.  If that thought pops into your mind often, you probably are too tight.

I think I may have justified keeping a too tight band for too long because I just wanted to get off that 15 lbs. that I gained since reaching goal.  I kept asking myself if I was too tight, and thinking that as soon as I dropped that weight, I'd go in for a slight unfill.  In the process, I developed an ulcer from too much stomach acid.  Since I've been unfilled, I'm back to eating solid, healthy food, and I've actually dropped a couple of pounds in the past week and a half!  It really helps to be able to slug back a bottle of water!  

Anyway, it's some food for thought, and I'd love to hear your thoughts, too,

Tami

Thanks for this post. It helps a lot with some things I wonder about sometimes. I can definitely learn from everyone else's experiences.

 You're welcome!  We can all learn from each other's experiences!

Tami

Good post, Tami.

I am very careful never to stay too tight. Many of us vets find that, perhaps years after a fill, we get slightly tighter. I have twice gone in for a tiny unfill and on both occasions the only concern I had was very mild heartburn. But that was enouigh of a warning for me.

I have never (apart from when ill) found eating difficult or painful. I have never PBed except through careless eating.

If any of the things you list happened to me, i would be on the phone to make an appointment. I know some folks like to actually feel a lot of restriction. It is my choice not to!

kate

 I almost never PB'd, hardly had any foods that I couldn't eat, and have always eaten breakfast, and for those reasons I thought my restriction was OK, and attributed my heartburn to something else.  But, when I was totally honest with myself, I realized I was sipping liquid between bites (often wine at dinner), which helped move the food along, I was definitely not drinking enough water between meals because it took forever to finish a bottle, I probably wasn't eating enough food at mealtime because I'd get stuckish, and my food would get cold and became unappealing, or I'd have soup, stew, or chowder which always went down just fine.  So that's why I'm reevaluating what "too tight" is for me!  

Tami

 

I have to admit to PBing more than I should! Especially when chatting over food. Evening meals with my family are always round the table and we talk! Lots! I want to join in, swallow quickly so i can and  ..... realise my error too late!

Kate

 That's happened to me, too.  Or, I'll take a big bite, thinking I'll chew well and swallow a little bit at a time, but then...ooops, the whole big ol' bite slides down.  Nothing worse than standing over a toilet in a nice restaurant, hoping you don't make any noises, and then returning to your seat just to sit and watch your food get cold and put in a box!

Tami

Thanks Tami. This just confirms my decision to get a slight unfill tomorrow am.

Kim

Sometimes just a tiny bit can make a difference, Kim.  Best of luck!

Tami

YES!!!!  

Also -- when I am a little too tight, i have a problem with mucous in the back of my throat ---- I just feel like I have to constantly clear my throat.

This happens during allergy season (usually spring and fall) and if I have just a tiny unfill, it helps.

When I was researching my surgery, it seemed as though every 'bad story' started with "I was too tight for too long ............." ------ so I avoid that.

I would rather have my band be a bit loose, and have to work harder on my food choices and portion sizes, than risk causing problems.