Acid Reflux

[Guest sweetmagnolia]

HI..I was the person that started this thread about a week or so ago.

UPDATE: I went to my surgeon this past Monday and he did a total unfill and gave me medicine to try to heal my esophagus. I am babying myself and making sure not to eat anything spicey at all. I have had none of the reflux and burning since the Fluid left. I am doing Weight Watchers now just to keep myself on track as much as I can. I go back to the doctor on FEB. 22 to get checked. I am so down over all of this. I was self pay and I get so sad when I read the boards and see all the successes. This was to be my answer, and now I fear I will lose the band completely. Has anyone else had to do an unfill and do the same thing? I am on a liquid med before meals and before bedtime. I need some encouragement. I REFUSE to gain weight during this unfill!

[Alexandra 55]

I had a total unfill last summer, it's nothing to worry about. Think about your poor esophagus and give it the gift of time to heal. Be thankful that you HAVE the ability to unfill and give your system time to rest! Don't worry, this does not mean that you will lose your band. It's just a breather and you'll be back in business soon. :eek:

[unopadre 0]

my surgeon says the band will clear up my reflux.

are you saying that you started experiencing reflux after surgery?

[Alexandra 55]

Unopadre, lots of people who have reflux before banding report that it is cleared up by surgery. But there are situations where banded people get a form of reflux (it's not precisely the same thing as non-banded people get).

If our bands are too tight--which can happen from a too-tight fill, or Water retention, or slippage, or internal swelling, for example--it's very easy to have the experience of lying down before all the food and drink has left the pouch. In that circumstance, when we fall asleep and the muscles relax, undigested material can reflux back up through the esophagus. That's what people are talking about here.

It's not "acid" reflux because there's little to no acid involved. It can usually be managed with an unfill or behavioral modifications, depending on the cause.

[desertmom 297]

Hi

I had an unfil (only 2cc left in 9cc band..l in the beginning of December and reflux left immediately.Had a fill up to 5cc's 3 weeks ago....very little reflux,some heartburn, no restriction and I eat to much all the time.....am going for another fill this week and hope to not have to much hassles with the reflux afterwards....I still have a lot of epigastric pain and back pain though...