What to do...

[maestrita 43]

I am uncertain what to do, and I really would like some feedback if there is anyone who has had a similar situation. I was banded in March of this year with a 10cc band. I have just gotten a fill to 5.5 cc, and I am having some trouble. When I was at 4.5, I was not losing weight, and I could eat nearly as much as I wanted. I knew that I did not have enough restriction to keep losing, and I actually went up a couple of pounds. I have only lost about 25-30lbs since last March. I did, though, have this problem occasionally where I would wake up at night with a little reflux in my mouth. Sorry, I realize it's gross..., but it didn't happen all the time.

On Monday, I got the 1cc fill, and I've had the reflux for the last two nights. This only happens at night, though. No heartburn, no other trouble... Will this go away or do I need to get unfilled? It sucks to consider that because my fill doc is a 2 hour drive, and it costs 150.00 bucks (which is very cheap in my area). I just don't know if I am going to be better off unless I remove the whole 1cc, and then I won't be losing any weight.

I should state that I don't get stuck, I don't barp, and I don't get slime. My only problem is this reflux I get when I lay down. I want my band to work, but I would also like to be able to sleep laying down.

I wonder if it will get better as I lose, and the band is not so tight. I wonder if I will learn to adjust my eating habits such that I can curtail this one problem...eat earlier, eat less, eat something different?? I fear that I will be one of those poor folks who says that the band won't work for them. If I could just get this one problem resolved, I would be so happy! What to do?

[stephaniel71 0]

I was just diagnosed with acid reflux after banding. This started right after surgery with no restriction. My best recommendation is go to a good ENT doctor. My ENT put me on Prilosec in the AM and Pepcid at night. I have not problems. Yeah, I have to take pills, but it is worth it because I am losing weight and have no symptoms of my reflux.

[maestrita 43]

Thanks Stephanie, I already take Prilosec as a preventive measure against the arthritis medication I have to sometimes take. I don't have any reflux during the day. It just kind of happens at night. It seems more mechanical than chemical, if that makes sense. I will try adding the Pepcid to see if there is a reduction in symptoms. It was pretty bad when I first went to bed last night, but it went away toward the morning hours. Maybe I will also try not eating or drinking anything whatsoever after 6 pm to see if I can get my stomach all the way empty before I go to bed. I don't know if that will work because I don't think I'd had much that late anyway. Still, I will try to be diligent with it for a few days to see if that helps.

It's annoying because you'd think that narrowing the opening to where the acid comes from, you'd have less trouble!

Still welcome any feedback from others.

[crzytchr 3]

I was going to suggest stopping eating at least 3 hours before you go to bed. The band is designed for our food to stay in the pouch for a while, which is really bad if you are going to bed. If the problem persists, however, you should probably consider a small unfill. Sometimes getting just .2ccs out helps tremendously.

[maestrita 43]

Thanks, Crzytchr. It's good to hear from another tchr.

I am going to try that. I will go for an unfill if I need to, but I want to try this out first to see if it helps.