Help! Acid reflux:( debating removal

[haele520 0]

Have had my band since 2005. I lost over 100lbs within the first two years and loved it. I had to loosen my band after I got pneumonia in about 2008 and refused to believe my band had anything to do with it.

I didn't have any other major issues until after I was married in 2009. I got pregnant shortly after. I emptied my band even though the nurses told me I didn't need to. I had some serious heartburn and pegged it as Prego problems. Had my baby a little early with some complication but am unsure if the band caused problems.

The heartburn continued and was so bad I went to a GI dr who did an endoscopy. Found out I had ulcers and really bad reflux. I started taking meds for it which they told me I'd be on for life. They told me not to get Prego again until I recovered some. They also recommended I went into my band dr. To see if my band slipped. Did the barium test which showed my band was fine and in the right place. They did say it ( the barium) took forever to go down my esophagus. I decided I didn't want to get filled anymore.

I got Prego a year and a half after my first and continued with reflux and meds.

My 2nd baby is now 1 and I'm dying with this issue. I'm mad that I can't use my band and am mad because I feel it is to blame for all my health issues. I have gained 1/2 the weight back. I have no ccs in me and haven't since 2009. I still throw up sometimes if I eat to much and get nauseous thinking about eating fries or a full burger. Is this normal when having an empty band? Is it just reflux or band problems? Should I get it out? Will the reflux go away? Help!

Thanks fellow banders!

Haele

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

sorry for all your issues and congrats on the babies

but your questions are best to be answered by your surgeon..

hang in there and all the best to you

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I'm very sorry for your struggles.

Let me preface this by saying I am not a doctor. This is strictly based on my own research and experience.

Being as you were banded in 2005, that would mean you have the older 4cc band. It's extremely unfortunate but problems such as you're experiencing aren't uncommon with the older 4cc bands. In fact, they're no longer used in the US because of it. We see a lot of people with the 4cc bands getting them removed, replaced with a newer model, or switching to another WLS entirely.

It is very unlikely your reflux will improve In fact, I fear it will only worsen as time goes on. I can't tell you what you should do only what I would do in your shoes. If it were me, I'd talk to my surgeon about getting the 4cc band replaced with a newer (bigger one). I would also ask if it's even an option with the ulcers and other damage. If it wasn't an option, I'd probably revise to the Sleeve.

Again, just my opinion and what I've learned.

Best wishes to you. I truly hope you can work it out for your best interest.

[haele520 0]

I don't know that I want it fixed. I feel like it's the cause of all of it and the new one might have similar problems ten yrs down the road. I want to be around for my kids.

Thanks for the heads up tho.

Discouraged:(

[cheryl2586 3,053]

I would certainly have a serious discussion with your surgeon and your family doctor to see what they think should be done. Best of luck on whatever your decision is.

[grace234 1]

I am having the exact same problem. He has removed all Fluid and they think I might have something called Achalasia - my doctor wants me to consider revision to gastric bypass but I have an insurance policy (different from when I was banded) that is going to give me problems because my BMI is 37 and the only co-morbidity is PCOS which he says they don't really count. And if I have achalasia he said he cannot do any surgery. so I have to see a specialist and go from there. This band has made my life a living hell.

[hiddnstar 167]

I don't know that I want it fixed. I feel like it's the cause of all of it and the new one might have similar problems ten yrs down the road. I want to be around for my kids.

Thanks for the heads up tho.

Discouraged:(

hi!

I agree with everyone saying have a serious talk with your doctor. It seems to me that if you suspect the band has caused problems and you're also not using it (since you said there is no Fluid in it), that it might be best to take it out and focus on healing. Then decide what you need by way of assistance to reach your weightloss goal.

It's wonderful that you had such success with the band!! That was a lot of work and committment on your part. You can have great success without the band, too, but you may need to research diet, metabolic help, and the latest research on the cause of obesity to find what resonates with you. It's all so personal and we're all motivated in different ways.

There are some You Tube videos of Dr. Robert Woodbury talking about the things I mentioned if you search Healthy Steps in Santa Rosa, Ca.

Dr. Woodbury has seen a lot of people come to his center for weight loss surgery only to find that the pre-op program he puts people on was more than sufficient and they lost so much weight in the required 6 months that they no longer wanted to consider the surgery! That gives me hope! And I hope it gives you hope, too. (Dr. Woodbury also says you will not be hungry on the diet! He uses a modified Mediterranean Diet)

I love that you are considering the future and wanting to be around for your kids. There is so much to take into consideration, including scar tissue from another surgery and the possibility of the new band causing the same problems.

Your doctor can provide info and professional opinion and then you provide your heart's answer.

~hiddn