Maggie63

Hello all- I had lapband surgery in 2005. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself. For the first few years I did great. Lost consistantly...exercised...lost over 100 lbs. About a year ago I got acid relux....that turned into throwing up at night. Up 5-6 times a night throwing up or waking up with a mouthful of bile. It was horrible. I talked to my doc and he thought I had slipped so we did a surgery about 4 months ago and he adjusted the band. After the surgery the throwing up and coughing was still there at night (not during the day....only when I lay down). Now the doc thinks it may be my gall bladder and not the band so I have surgery in Jan to get my gallbladder out. I have been coughing and throwing up now for the last year (nights only). I am exhausted!! Has anyone ever had this happen to them and what was the cause...I am afraid that after I get my gallbladder out I will still be sick at night. Has anyone gone through this ?? All this throwing up cannot be good for my throat or the band! I have not gained or lost any weight throughout this and feel great except for the throwing up at night. Thanks so much for your help.

Hello all. have not been on this site in years. Got a new job, moved, life got just so so busy. I recieved my lapband in 2005. Lost 120 lbs in the first year. Was able to keep the weight off until about two years ago. I slowly started gaining weight. Effective last week I am up about 20 lbs. I went to get a fill last week (have not had one in years). I am having difficulty. Lots of acid relux and horrible coughing fits at night. I guess I need to learn how to eat again being very restricted. I am doing research and hope to get the right combination of food and hydration that the reflux and the coughing and throughing up go away, Just wanted to say hello again...and if you have any advice for me please pass it along. Thank you all!! Maggie

Thank you all for your responses!! I was not sure if I was too tight or eating too much!! I have cut down my portion sizes and stopped eating after 5pm and the night coughs have all but stopped. I do get acid reflux during the day sometimes but it is tolerable. I am going to give this fill a few more weeks as sometimes it takes a while for my fills to sink in. If I am still having problems I will go back to the doc. Although my inusurnace paid for the band I have to pay for fills (200.00). My insurance company has changed what they will and won't pay for. It is a bummer that is a lot of money for a fill!! Have lost 4 lbs so I am hoping that this fill will get me back on track. Thanks for your advice and support!!

I have had the band for close to 4 years..had NO problems with acid reflux till a year or so ago...i was throwing up up to 10 times a night....after many tests, etc my doc figured out i had a hiatal hernia....i go in for surgery in a week to have that fixed as well as to replace my band (he thinks my old band may be part of the problem too) I had a complete unfill about 6 months ago and have gained 15 lbs due to that so am really looking forward to getting the surgery and getting back to normal!! if you are having problems don't wait go to your doc and get it checked out..there is no reason to be in pain for as long as i was!!

I also had surgery with Dr Dimarco....did you decide to get the surgery...how did it go?

Has anyone used either lawyer to get reimbursed for WLS? I am on my third and final appeal to my insurance company and it is time to hire some "big guns". If you know of a good lawyer that you could recommed, please let me know that too. I tried to get a lawyer here to help, but they say the bottom line is that to fight it would cost WAY more than the surgery. These guys are my only hope!!!! Thanks for your support.

surgery was in 2005 !!

I had my surgery in 2004. My insurer is healthamerica and I do have it through work (federal employee). I did fight Healthamerica and won....they paid for my surgery. I have had a few problems and they paid for the surgeries to fix the band also....so I am thrilled. I am so happy that I fought my insurance company...best thing I ever did.

Thanks for all of your responses. I had my gallbladder out a week ago. The doc thought that that would help. I threw up 3 times last night so I guess not. I had a baruim swallow and he said things looked okay...although the barium moved very slowly down my throat and into my stoma. I go see him next week for a follow up....I am praying that after I am completed healed things will be okay. Last night was the first night I threw up since the surgery. Thanks for all your responces....it is great to have people to share these experiences with. I will let you know what the doc says!! Curesmile- I am very careful with my teeth...I have read about how throwing up can hurt your teeth. thanks!! : )

I a having the same problem. Mostly at night. Coughing and throwing up for over a year now...5-6 times a night. Been working with my doc. Have had two surgeries this year (one to check the band, another to take my gallbladder out). Nothing helps. Had my gallbladder out a week ago and starting throwing up again a few days later.....anyone out there have the same problems and have some advice. I go back to my doc at the end of the week...I am afraid he will say it is time to take the band out. Thanks.

did you have the band moved...are you still getting sick at night

Geena- I just had surgery for band slippage....my symptons were bad acid relfux...at night when i was lying down i would cough and then throw up into my mouth (could hardly make it to the bathroom). It was terrible. I was fine during the day...only trouble at night. After the surgery i feel much better but still not 100%..go see your doc and talk to him/her about your symptons

my doc, dimarco, is from the weight loss clinic also. he is great. what do you think of weiger (the doc that gives fills) and the overall staff? how long have you been banded?

Geena- How many fills have you had? Fills are the key to losing with the band (for me anyway). Have you had a heart to heart with your doc?

Hi Kat/Geena- I live in Mechanicsburg..was banded by Dr DiMarco in 2005. Great to see some local folks out here!!! I recently had a band slip...had surgery a few weeks ago. I am feeling much better. Who did your surgeries?

Has anyone ever used Dr. DiMarco for Lapband?

Yes..in Harrisburg PA.

Just wanted to say hello to everyone...it is good to finally see some PA bandsters out there. I am several years out and could not be happier with my band. Like all of you...i lost and gained hundreds of lbs over my lifetime...I could just not keep it off. Dr DiMarco and lapband changed that for me. I have not gained since the surgery and am doing great. I am heathier than I have ever been..and am training for a marathon in May...never could have done that at 285 lbs!! Those of you who are unsure...I understand where you are coming from...it was a tough decision for me. I kept thinking I could do it on my own....when I hit 40 years old i realized that I was fooling myself. It was time to make something happen. I could not be happier. Margaret

cleopatra 3053- i had the same symptons...go to your band doc immediatly. i thought i had slipped (those are signs of slippage) but i had not...my band had just shifted slightly...a small unfill has changed my life. i went from waking up coughing and throwing up through my mouth and nose 10 times a night to just several times a week. he thinks it was go away altogether soon. do not waste any more time being miserable...go to your doc now!!!

i have experienced weight gain for the first time since i have had my band. it is only 6 lbs but it has me on edge because for me 6 turns in to 60 pretty quickly. i had a slight unfil due to acid reflux. it seems i can eat MUCH more after the unfill than before. tonight i came home and had a cup of chili and two pieces of corn...that is more than i have eaten for dinner for longer than i can remember....and i still feel like eating...i am no longer hungry but my mind wants some more. i know what i have to do, start moving.....Dibaby...calories in vs calories going out. ...you are right on. so instead of being on the computer i will go out for a 3 mile walk to help get myself back on track. Pbandit and others struggling....I suggest you do the same !!! Let us know how it goes!!!

Congrats Diane...we are all so happy for you....and hope to be where you are soon. Don't overdo it...the pain meds are making you feel like you are okay but there is a lot of stiching in there and you don't want to pull anything... keep us posted.

hi jelbel..yes, i am the one you met at dr d office. i would like to lose another 20 or so..although i am happy where i am now and will not rush it...i will pm you so we can chat!! bonnijean-curious...how are you doing now?

down 117 lbs....please add me to your list!!!

when i first got my band in dec of 2005 i only told my family and 2 close friends. now that i am a few years out i have started to tell people. some are judgemental and mean but overall they have been supportive and loving. what i have learned is that you must be true to yourself. i did not tell in the beginning because i was afraid of failing again. now that i have been successful it is all about education. the band is a tool not an easy fix. i have had to work HARD to get where i am and i am proud of that. do what your heart tells you is right. best of luck all.

Diane- Have loved reading this thread and can't wait to see your after pics. I have already had a consult for a lower body lift. I am 5 feet 5 inches and 168 lbs (size 10). I would like lose a bit more before I have the surgery. I also have to figure out financing. Your thread has got me motivated to start working all the specifics out. Thank you for that. I understand the sister situation. Although my sister and I are very close....it has been difficult for her to watch me lose weght. She is 5 feet 6 inches 240 lbs size 16. I try not to talk about it because I know she wishes she could be where I am. Instead of making comments about how good I look in my clothes...she always comments on my saggy skin around my arms and belly. I know she loves me she is just having a hard time dealing. I give her the benefit of the doubt. I urged her to look into lapband and she refuses. She says sheknows she can do it herself....I try to support her in that. Again, just wanted to say thanks and I so look forward to hearing about your journey. We are all behind you with good thoughts and prayers.