Jbrommer3

:confused:I have had trouble from the beginning with my LAP-BAND®, I was filled up to I think almost 4cc's and did lose about 35-40lbs in the first six months or so, my surgery was June 2007. But I started having a lot of problems with acid reflux, pain, vomiting, nausea, so they began unfilling in August of last year. The Dr unfilled a little at a time about .5cc at a time, and I was so disappointed because then I felt hungry, but still had the symptoms. In July/August last year, I started waking up aspirating from acid reflux in the night, which was soooooooo scary. I didn't want to lay down. I called and the Dr wanted to unfill more. He did. We did a Upper GI he didn't think anything was wrong. But then I started developing pains, sharp pains like heart attack pains in upper chest/stomach area seemingly either with empy stomach, like first thing in mornings, or after meals. Very scary, hurt to breath. I also went through a couple bad bronchitis episodes due to the aspiration affecting my lungs and still have wheezing in my lungs. Have gone to respiratory Dr for that, and they haven't given me a good explanation as to why I am having problems with wheezing. They have ruled out asthma. But in Dec the Abd pain got so bad I went to ER and they did a CAT scan. The ER dr called my LAP-BAND® Dr and advised they thought I had a pretty significant band slippage they could see. The stomach has slipped up through the band. The ER dr referred me back to the Lapbad Dr. However I have been more and more discouraged with this Dr for feeling like he just keep blaming me for my lack of results stating I was eating too much sweets, and not exercising enough. I kept telling him I wasn't eating that much, my fiance and now husband even backed me up on that. I am bad at exercise, but I was having so many complications with food it has almost become impossible for me to want to eat. Food wouldn't go down, either too chunky or I think I ate too fast because I waited till I was hungry, and it came back up immediately. So I am sure that added to it all. Anyway, so now in late December my LAP-BAND® Dr decided to totally unfill me to help with pain and reflux. It has helped. He has told me based on the latest CAT that he doesnt' think the slippage is too major, but he gave me the option to have it repaired or removed. I really hated coming to that decision, because the whole two years has been such an ordeal, and full of disappointment. I don't know how much is from the LAP-BAND® slipping, how long ago that happened, and the combination of symptoms not helping me loose the weight. I am basically back to my original weight. Having spent much money and time having the original LAP-BAND® placed, and going to all the Dr appts, having the Upper GI's done, and now CAT scan. Even with insurance, not a cheap endeaver. Now I am trying to decide what to do. My original goal was to loose weight. I am soooooo disappointed to not have any of that happen and to be back to square one, feeling helpless about the situation. I wished it would have worked for me, and I even asked about maybe switching to a full gastric bypass. But he said he wouldn't do that at the same time he removes the band. There is no guarantee that fixing it will work, or I won't run into the same problems in the future again. So I am opting for removal. Any other insight or opinions as to what to do? I almost feel like getting a 2nd oppinion. But here in CO there are not too many Dr's that even know about LAP-BAND® it seems. Plus I don't know if the ins will help pay for removal, or how much that surgery will cost, and time off work. Ugh!!!!!

:hurray: I am sorry your going through this, but I am so relieved someone else has this same issue. I was banded in July of 2007 and was last filled back the last summer. I have been having lots of problems with acid reflux, and basically indigestion every time I eat any thing. I had acid reflux prior to banding, and was on Prilosec. However since this last fill it has become worse. Last night I woke up after about an hour of sleep aspirating my own spit. It scared the crap out of me! I didn't know what was happening, but I couldn't catch my breath and I was home alone. I got up and after a little bit calmed down and seemed to be ok, just felt like liquid in my throat, a tickle. So I wasn't sure what to do. I laid back down, and fell back asleep, an hour later it happened again! Only this time when I sat up I threw up all this liquid and foam. Again scary! So this time I wasn't about to go back to sleep. I called my Dr on call at midnight, and he said he thought it sounded like my band had become to tight, either because it slipped or some food had become stuck. He said to call the Dr first thing in the morning, and make appointment to have them unfill it a little to see if that helps. But, he said to stay on the couch, or recliner, because laying down can cause the aspiration. So I did that. I am going to the Dr today, to see what he say's. But I didn't know where to look to find out if the band can cause this or if it is just my acid reflux getting worse? I have lost weight real slow and maybe if it has been too tight that would be the reason? :party:

:confused2:Hi, my name is Jasmyn, and I was banded June 2007 but it has been very frustrating. I have only lost 20lbs. I seem to be stuck at a weight for a long time, and seem to have lots of difficulties with eating. I have had a couple fills, and even had some taken out because I was not able to get anything down exept Water. Many of my friends and family have told me I should just have the band removed. It is disappointing. The dr has done all the blood work, and said everything is normal, that it is either I am eating to much sugary foods, or not exercising enough. I eat a small amount at one time, a few bites at most, and seem to always have problems with reflux. Within a matter of minutes whatever I eat comes back up. I haven't figured out what I can and cannot eat and have just become frustrated about eating at all. If it isn't soft pureed food, I can't get it to stay down. Dr did say my protien and Calcium were slightly low at my one year checkup. I can't eat meat, too chunky. Any help would be good. I am thinking maybe a mentor might help. Daily foods I can eat, instant oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce, puddings, cottage cheese, cheese of any sort is usually ok. Soup, broths really soft noodles, small so, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti's Veggies, fruits, meats, eggs, breads are all problems! Any other suggestions?! Thanks! Jasmyn

Hi, I was just banded on June 13th. I was okayed to start on soft foods at my post op appointment after losing 15 lbs in 10 days. But I attempted a scrambled egg, I think it was too dry, or I forgot to chew really well? But the minute I swallowed I felt the pain in my sternum and it seemed that the piece was stuck? I ate a few more bites chewing well, and tried a small amount of Water. But the water was just coming back up. It hurt pretty bad. I felt nauseated and after spending 10 days trying not to vomit had to. After a few times the egg felt like it free. But later that night I tried to eat again, and seemed to be able to eat about 1 1/2 cups of smoshed potatoes. Compared to my 1/4 cup previose to that experience. I continue to seem to be able to eat more at a time, and am worried that I did something? I can't find much info about the slipping that I have heard about? Is it possible that I caused the band to slip and that is why I am now able to eat more? Anybody else had these experiences? I am also still not able to get much soft foods thru without feeling like something is getting stuck, that is a scary feeling so I have gone back to more of the liquid diet. Any suggestions? Will eating soft foods get easier to go down? I am worried if they do an adjustment if I will have to just stay on liquid? Also, I was thinking the band is at the bottom of the new pouch, so why does it feel like the food sticks before it goes into the stomach? Any feedback is good! Thanks!

I appreciate the advice. I called the dr and she said like you guys to take smaller bites, and chew really well. I am still concerned about the gaining weight back, but I think I read that when the stomach heals you can eat more. So I am hoping a fill will help in a few weeks to reduce my hunger. I feel hungry more often now. I haven't had any more stuck food since the egg incident. I think I scared myself into taking smaller bites, being sure to chew. Chkn seems to the easiest meat. Besides like a tuna salad for Protein. I am still doing at least one protien shake a day to be sure to get enough. The drinking and eating thing is a challange. It is habit to drink and eat at the same time.

I am on my third week and I lost 15lbs, but now I have gained back 5lbs too after going back on soft foods. I was wondering the same thing. I also feel like I am eating more. The Dr. said it was most likely because the swelling went down. But I am not sure either about the gaining? I have been walking too! I hope the first fill in a few weeks will help!