Mr Soots

After 3 1/2 years of being banded, and the last year suffering from esophagitis, GERD, and ultimately Barrett's esophagus, I had the band removed last week. Prior to band removal, the surgeon did a fluro and discovered a huge hiatal hernia (stomach pushed into my esophagus). So he fixed that, took off the old band, and put the brand new supersized band on. It's been wonderful ever since, and all the prior problems appear to be eliminated. My first band was too tight right from the start and over time, all these other symptoms surfaced. Don't wait if you're having problems.

I also had a similar experience. My band was put on in 2004--at that time, there was only one size band. The band was tight when it was put on, and over the years, I have never been able to sustain a fill. Subsequently, (with no fill) I developed GERD (massive reflux) and barretts esophagus (BE). I attributed these to the tightness of the band, but my surgeon didn't agree with me. (My surgeon believes in most cases, the band will eliminate GERD.) Finally, after having a fluroscopy, it showed a very large hiatal hernia (which failed to show up on an endoscopy). So, I had the band removed, hernia repaired, and a much larger band put on. It was instant relief. So in my case, I believe my stomach was too big for the band, which then caused the hernia, which then caused the GERD, which then caused the BE. Good luck to you; I fully understand your misery.

Question - So what does it mean if you have extremely bad acid reflux and you have not had a fill? For me, it has finally been determined that I have a large hiatal hernia, which did NOT show up a year ago when I had an endoscopy. It showed up recently under fluro in preparation of band removal. And since being banded 3+ years ago, I've been unfilled the majority of the time due to GERD. So, for me, my band was too tight right from the start, and the hernia occurred and along with that GERD and now Barretts Esophagus. So take it seriously.

I, too, am having my band removed in June after 3 years and 4 months. Ever since I got banded, I was tight (4 cc band - didn't have the larger ones back then). The longest I was able to keep a fill was 6 weeks, and then an unfill. I tried fills four times, but it always resulted in feeling miserable -- like a lump in my throat, then an unfill. This has now developed into GERD (I had the ph test), and all the unpleasant symptoms associated with GERD -- breathing, acid reflux, etc. Saw a GI for an endoscopy, and have also developed barretts esophagus - a precancer condition. After approx one year of discussing options with my surgeon, he did a floro, and has spotted a large hiatal hernia. Floros in the past never showed a hernia, so I have to guess it has been developing over time. Hopefully, the tight band caused the hernia which caused the GERD. I'm hoping that's the case, so once the band is off, everything goes back to the way it was designed. I know it's been said here before, but, only you know your body. The doctors rely on research, so it's up to us to be persistent and ensure our doctors are listening and taking us seriously when our bodies react against the norm.

I was banded in Feb, 04, and have never been able to keep a fill. Approx six weeks after a fill, the discomfort would be unbearable, and I would have to get unfilled. Three fills over three years -- three unfills. Done under fluro, esophagitis was always the problem (a sensation of having a lump in your throat; the feeling you get when you start to cry.) Fortunately, I always have restriction w/o any fill, and have manged to lose weight. Fast forward 2 1/2 years, and now I have been diagnosed with GERD. I've had the endoscopy as well as motility study and PH. Lots of reflux going on; sleepless nights due to coughing and wheezing. Aciphex twice a day and now a diagnosis of Barretts esophagus (precancer condition). My surgeon insists that none of this is attributable to the band as "research supports that the band aids GERD symptoms". I believe that the band has put too much pressure on my lower esophagus, and it no longer works as it's supposed to and stays open all the time. This was confirmed by the motility study. So the acid just keeps coming up all day and night. I'm getting very close to having the band removed and possibly trying a VSG. I'm not sure a VSG will help with the GERD symptoms, but I'm afraid of weight gain once the band is removed. My advice is that if you are experiencing heartburn/acid reflux/coughing/wheezing, etc., talk to your doctor. The acid is nasty stuff and can cause some permanent damage if you don't manage it properly.