y5clm2000

I have had a lap band for 2 and a half years and an IUD for over 3. It is the 5 yr Mirena one. I did not know that there are strings that you need to check for and did not go for the yearly check ups - but come on no one is perfect. I have had some issues for over the last 7 months with what I thought was my stomach. It did not seem to be typical lap band issues. I had an upper GI, 2 gallbladder tests, and an EGD (scope down throat) and a CT scan. All tests show negitive except the CT shows that the IUD is in my abdominal cavity - somewhere by the port. I have had a HECK of a time getting someone to operate to take it out!!!! My lap band doc that does my fills says he is too busy. He referred me to a general surgeon. GS said it is an GYN issue. The GYN said that he did not feel comfortable doing it, (because of the band??) I did get another lap band doc that is a general surgeon to agree to do the surgery. I see him next week. My doctors office has not been good at finding a surgeon that will take care of the issue. I think that this is their job? I am frustrated. I also don't know if this will fix the issues that I have had for 7 months. I have burning pain right below my ribs in the middle after I eat and sometimes when I have not eaten for awhile and am 'empty'. The pain is releived by ice cream, sometimes Malox, or milk. I can eat. I have no fill right now - for the past 3.5 months. I can eat but not very much and mostly I have reverted to a soft diet. I drink protein drinks and ice cream mostly. Sometimes the burn is easier to involk then other times. I just never know. I don't have GERD or heartburn according to the tests and the medicine for these things makes no difference. I love my band :nervous but I find it frustrating that when any other issues come up you don't know if it is band related and then now it seems some other type doctors don't want to operate if there is a band in you. My doctor says that this IUD should come out ASAP but the surgeons don't seem to want to take on the risk and the family doctor is not finding a surgeon but is leaving it up to me. The IUD rupturing thru the uterous is rare but from what I read online it happens when the skill of the person inserting it is in question.

My family doc put it in. Since it is now in the Abdominal cavity I am not sure that a GYN is the one that should take it out. I think that I want the other organs checked out to see if they have any damage. But I really don't know. The gyn that I was tried to hook up with was not comfortable doing it but I am not sure why. If it was the lap band or what. Thank you for your response. I just have never heard of this before and I am very frustrated about the doctors that don't want to take the 'risk' whatever that means.

Often the restriction after the first fill is not enough to notice. And then again sometimes you will notice more after a few days. Eat carefully just in case and go it slow because if you go too fast on the fill amount your stomach can swell and that might mean a total unfill to heal - all in all a set back in the weight loss then!! It will work just give it time.

I was banded over 2 years ago. I have been too tight in the past. I seem to be sensitive to fills. I had all the Fluid taken out 2 months ago. I still am having stomach pain (upper stomach right below the sternum) about 15 min after eating. The thing that helps is ice cream or my Protein drink - milk products! Not to advocate calories here but when the pain is burning and it just gets worse....any help is a help. I need to get a scope test done by a GI. I have been very afraid to have the test done but I think that I am running out of ideas. I do think that medicine (like Pamperin) or any adult beverages worsen it. Some vitimans maybe too. I suspect that the linning of my stomach is inflammed. Maybe my esophigaus too. I just don't know why.

PB means Productive Burping. It is also known as sliming.

I had a fill a few weeks ago and have since had 4 unfills. I am glad that my doctor has been patient with trying to find the proper level of restriction. I must say though that the initial fill was an experience that I don't want to repeat - although I broke the 200 barrier! I have since stalled in weight loss. I developed GERD and the unfills don't give the instant relief that I have heard it should. I think that I am still swollen and irritated. I am trying to avoid PB at all costs so I don't aggravate it. I never thought that I would have zero appitite. That is wonderful! However GERD is something to avoid at any cost. This is my 2 cents of experience.

I would try some Prolosec or/and Pepcid AC to see if it helps the acid. This acid is not good for the long term and can cause some issues that you don't want to have. Take care of your band. I also don't know if I would get an unfill if I can eat food and sleep but that is just me.

I had my band done by Dr. Aceves in 12/04 and I had no issues and think his prices and his bedside mannor and skill was exceptional. I would recommend him to everyone. I felt that he had more experience then many US doctors. I would only suggest that if the trip to Mexico is long for you that you have a fill doc set up before you go because some doctors won't fill you if you were banded out of the country. I was back to work within 4 days of the surgery. I have a desk job though. I had no complications. I loved that any questions I had Nina responed via email quicker then many doctor's offices in the US respond to you.

I have been banded since 12/04 and have had a several fills. One time after abut 2-3 months it became too tight (don't really know why) or inflammed and I had simular symptoms. About 3 weeks ago I got a fill and it was too tight. I had the same symptoms. FYI, it is GERD. I did not know this. All the Fluid and beltching through the night makes it hard to sleep any at all and you do get afraid of night time. I have went back 3 times since the fill 3 weeks ago for un-fills. I think that the issue is that the stomach is irritated and now it has to heal. I think that if you are not careful that you can damage your stomach/esophigus and you might have to have the band removed. I currently have LESS fluid then when I went in for the last fill and I am still VERY tight. I can get Protein drink down in the afternoon or eve and maybe a scrambled egg or some small amount of food. I can do Water most of the time. I think that if you can get Protein Drink down and sleep without the GERD and you can do water okay. BUT if you are having GERD and can't sleep, get an un-fill as this is serious. I still have no appitite and I was very worried that I would gain all the weight I lost since the fill (12 pounds)

Dr. malley in Kansas City (actually he is in Lenexa) does fills for patients that had the lap band placed by other doctors. His number is 913-541-0230. The cost is around 250 if he uses the floroscopy to find the port. I hear he is good. I will be having my first fill by him March 16. My surgery was in Mexico on 1/25. I have lost 13 pounds so far. I thought that having the surgery in Mexico was a good choice for me - I was self-pay.

Hi, I had my surgery on 1/25/05 in Mexicalli, Mexico by Dr. Aceves and I will probably have my fills done by Dr. Malley in Kansas City, KS. I hear that he will do fills for patients that had surgeries by other doctors. I have met him and he is very compasionate. I think we are fortunate to have someone so close and he is around $250 w/floro.