JamieJo55

Dr. John E. Meilahn, MD 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140Phone:(215) 707-3471 is the only Dr i can suggesst sorry it's not exactly in your area. Your Esophageal Dilation won't get better in fact it's bound to just get worse and the heartburn too. Scar tissue develops under the band and around it causing reflux and a feeling of tightness and it's accompanied symptoms. ie.. Night time aspiration, pneumonia, asthma like symptoms. It's highly probable that you experienced a Slip from coughing? vomiting will cause it as well. IMO I would suggest getting a new Dr, remove the band, Revise to a Different Weight loss surgery if you so Chose and move on, the Band Failed you didn't Good Luck Luck

I can Quote Band Stats that say 60% of ppl with bands need Revisions, etc.. But that's Obvious if you use a google search. But that only helps you understand that YOU didn't Fail, the band Did. As the previous poster stated get some Saline out! Don't starve yourself it won't help, you've already messed up your metabolism with a band and your body HOLDS Onto everything you put in it. The band creates Scar tissue under the band and around it as well, that will/does create a "too tight" feeling as well and adds to the probelms of Reflux/Gerd and aspiration pneumonia if that continues. Also, as you've mentioned Esophageal problems like Dilation, Pre Cancerous tissue, and loss of Esophageal motility. Your SMART in questioning the effectivenss or LACK there of the band and your Health. My advise is get the band removed Weightloss isn't worth the damage to your body or poor health. Good Luck

Your Experince with Shoulder Pain Mirrors MINE, and I too and thankful that the band is GONE! As Is the stabbing pain I developed after my band slipped. SO Glad that your doing better now !! Thanks for sharing your experience. P.S. Allergan states in it's Literature that Shouler pain IS a band complication, just not one that many are aware of http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/lapband_dfu.pdf

RANT!! Away !! Unfortunately it's commonplace for Surgeons to think they KNOW EVERYTHING about bands, and blame patient's for the complications. But it's a FACT that a lot of Gastro Dr's are becoming quite versed in band complications since so many ppl end up having to see them to get answers, especially when the Surgeons doing bands love to BLAME the patient UGH!! REALITY= you need a NEW SURGEON. removal of all the Saline may help but it's only going to be a Temporaty fix at best Reflux is common with a band ( 33% of banders experience it) and Dr's love to RX proton pump inhibitors ( acid reducers) Until Aspiration pneumonia ends up being a frequent occurance. Good Luck!

Barrett's Esophagus is Cancer of the Esophagus from Acid reflux/Gerd. When reading you'll find that they say it's RARE. But you'll also hear that EROSION of the band is RARE. IT'S not. I'm NOT saying that you or anyone else will have this BUT ppl banded do/can have pre cancerous lesions due to extended periods of Reflux/gerd. Apiration Pneumonia occurs when the band is too tight for a prolonged period, whether it is intentional ( some like to keep their bands too tight) or due to the internal scar tissue that develops due to the band. Most find that they are unable to eat/drink before going to bed or they will have fluids, acid, that comes up the esophagus through the nose and mouth. Most are told to take Proton pump inhibitors anti acid meds or to sleep in an upright postion. Again this is ONLY a short term solution. Aspiration into the lungs will cause pneumonia, it occurs get it checked. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25147629

Steph have your Dr. Check you for Gastritis it's not uncommon with a band. Reflux is another common complication 33% experience it most Dr's love to give PPI's for it. Aspiration Pneumonia is another problem to consider when ppl are sayign they cough or vomiting or choke in their sleep. Do a google search for lap band and coughing

Unfortunately what your dealing with is Common with a Band. Banders experience Reflux at a rate of 33% and Erosive Esophagitis 44% it's not something to ignore. Many Dr's just RX PPI's and continue to either change them or increase the dose. Long term refux can /does cause Barrett's Esophagus. Reflux at night can/does lead to Apiration pneumonia, a lot of times ppl like to say Oh, yeah just prop yourself up with pillows or stop eating hrs before bed and that will help. When in fact the better solution is to just get the band removed and live a better life than medically induced bulimia, reflux, and night cough, becaue even with an unfill it will continue. OR you'll just start a visious cycle of endless unfills and fills and get nowhere for as long as your willing to allow your Dr. to do it. Good luck

Fredanna FYI: the band itself doesn't SLIP what actually happens is the stomach goes UP or DOWN Prolaspe etc.but a SLIP, is still a SLIP . I understand the FEAR of losing your band and not having that "tool' to help maintain/lose. But if tests are showing Barrett's or even signs of tissue change to the esophagus that NEEDS to be addressed. Reflux, GERD Silent or otherwise is a complication of being banded 33% of bandsters experience it. And Dr's give PPI's, but often ignore the other issues I hope your not facing Barrett's or even a pre cancerous condition. Being HEALTHY and overweihgt is Far worse then having the band removed. Good Luck with your appotimtent In Feb.

I suggest that you see if you can have tests done in regards to the Vagus Nerve. At times it can be traumatized during band removal/Implantation. For those experiencing Shoulder pain ITCAN be a complication of having a Lap band, especially if the band has slipped. (Allergan states it in the Literature as an Adverse reaction) In some cases when a band slips it can contact the diaphram ( diaphram doesn't feel pain it refers it to the shoulder) Godd luck finding answers!!

Kelly Ruff I am so very sorry that this occurred to you the point to make in ALL of this is like you said, Most of the time WE as patient's Know more about a Band than some Dr's, ER personnel and radiologist's. Too often all the tests that are done and come back and the patient is told the band is "fine" IMHO I believe that they don't know what their looking for, or what to expect unfortunately it's true of all of the WLS. Hoping you get what you need to LIVE and that things get better for you *HUGS*

Johnny1313 Congrats!! I'm not sure why the U.S. Doctors are so indignent about treating patients from Mexico ( God Complex)? I've heard mostly becasue they don't want to be responsible for another Dr's mistakes. But interesting that If that same Dr. ignores his patinet that needs the band remove another US Dr. usually has to do it becasue that first Dr. doesn't listen. Equally amazing is that HALF of the US surgeons were proctored to do the Band from a Mecixan surgeon. *SIGH* Double standard? YIKES and yes that is HIGH for a fill, but normal for the upfront fee. as they didn't do the band they want to recoop that loss from you seeing as they didn't place your band. Advise: FInd a GOOD aftercare program it's what you'll NEED MOST!!

It's not uncommon to fell less restriction with the removeal of Saline A Baruim or Fill under Fluroscopy is more expensive then a Simple Flush and Fill where they take the Saline out of the band to check the Cc's it SHOULD MATCH what has been placed in the band If not then you probaly have a leak. And unfortuantely YOU have to pay to repair a leak in most cases , but you can always ask your Band Dr. he might repair it for a reduced fee? but I doubt that they, do like to make $$.