Still having reflux, going for unfill

[SarahRN482 66]

So I posted last week about the reflux that appeared out of nowhere, and how I was going to have an unfill but then talked my doctor out of it and had him give me Carafate instead. Yeah, so, it's not helping, and the reflux is worse now. I haven't hardly slept for two days because I can't lie flat without choking and aspirating bile. I can't eat without pain, it even hurts to drink. I'm going tomorrow at 1130 to have some Fluid taken out of my band.

I just don't understand it. I had my last fill in December and I was fine until last week, so over two months. How the hell can the band get tighter on its own?! I'm frustrated to say the least.

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

Please explain all of your issues to them, don't just ask for an unfill. From the sounds of it your pouch may be dilated, which could resolve on it's own but you need to rule out more serious complications. Good luck to you.

[SarahRN482 66]

Please explain all of your issues to them, don't just ask for an unfill. From the sounds of it your pouch may be dilated, which could resolve on it's own but you need to rule out more serious complications. Good luck to you.

My surgeon was the one who said I needed to have some Fluid taken out, so who knows. I really hope it's not dilated, I don't know how it could be. But I guess anything is possible. I'm just tired of the constant heartburn and not being able to sleep!

[B-52 7,113]

If I had to speculate...and I mean speculate...I would say it was irritation....when that happens with me I go all liquids for a few days....My Dr. recommends the same but will take Fluid out to many people because he feels they will not follow his instructions...so taking Fluid out allows them to continue eating and gives the band a rest at the same time...

Don't have the slightest idea what your situation, cause may be...but having some fluid taken out will decrease the chance to continue to irritate it, and give it a chance to heal....

[SarahRN482 66]

If I had to speculate...and I mean speculate...I would say it was irritation....when that happens with me I go all liquids for a few days....My Dr. recommends the same but will take Fluid out to many people because he feels they will not follow his instructions...so taking Fluid out allows them to continue eating and gives the band a rest at the same time...

Don't have the slightest idea what your situation, cause may be...but having some fluid taken out will decrease the chance to continue to irritate it, and give it a chance to heal....

B, in my heart of hearts, I really think it's just irritation too, but you know how the brain works, always thinking of other possibilities. I really don't think my band is too tight, because I've been steadily losing since the last fill (about 40 pounds). I remember eating a pita chip the evening that the reflux started, literally one chip, so maybe that's what did me in. It could have been too hard, maybe I didn't chew enough, anything is possible. I should have gone on liquids then, but I didn't, and I'm regretting that decision now. At this point, I have reflux from even drinking Water, so the thought of trying to drink a Protein shake makes me cringe.

[SarahRN482 66]

I'm beyond frustrated right now. They told me to be at the hospital at 11 for my procedure. Get there, wait an hour in a gown, then they come tell me my doc can't come until after 1 pm. So I can either wait or reschedule. I have an hour drive and my kids get out of school at 2pm,so there's no way I can wait. What am I supposed to do??? I can't eat anything without pain and reflux. I'm so freaking sick of my surgeon, he sucks and my aftercare has sucked too.

[dtackaberry 0]

B 52 h y name is Dana and I am having the same trouble as Sarah, I cant keep any thing down and have terrible reflux. I am on vacation and it is not fun, when you say go on liquid for a few days, could you please be more specific?

[B-52 7,113]

For me, it would be shakes, Soups, etc...as long as it is nothing solid...nothing that needs to be chewed...

[SarahRN482 66]

Well I ended up getting my unfill after all. He didn't take it all, but I pretty much have no restriction... And it's scary. I'm so afraid I'm going to gain a ton over the next month, which is how long he wants me to wait. I'm on 40mg of Prilosec twice a day for the time being also. He said he really doesn't think the problem is with my band, but my symptoms have him stumped. He did if I still have the problems when I follow up on April 7th,he's going to have to do an EGD to see if I possibly have an ulcer even though he didn't think that's the issue either. Hopefully it's just irritation from something I ate and I can start my fill schedule again after a month.

[Bandista 7,466]

Wheat allergies are so prevalent now. Pita chip? Really -- may be worth going completely absolutely off of wheat and seeing if the symptoms clear. So many people suffer from celiac now and it is very hard to diagnose. Best wishes to you!

[ruby309 10]

I had cervical spine surgery in June. Didn't have the Fluid taken out before surgery as recommended cuz Ive had my band since 2005 and have had lots of surgeries without doing that, and guess I thought I was smarter than everyone. About a month after, I started having serious reflux. Like vomiting in my sleep reflux. the spinal doc thought they had irritated my esophagus/vocal chords during spinal surgery. NO. Turns out (I found out 6 mos. later when I was having EGD to see what had happened to my esophagus!) that I had developed DILATATION due to being banded too tight! They said my band re-adjusted itself during anesthesia, causing me to store food in a pouch I created in my esophagus! they took ALL of the fluid out of my band, and I gained 30 lbs in 6 months without it! %(^&*$(!!!!! I finally got the okay to begin refilling 2 mos ago. After the first partial fill, I still gained a few more LBS. but after a .2 fill four wks ago, I lost 6 lbs and got another .2 fill. Feels good again, but I just ate 3 lo-carb crackers with one piece of swiss and 6 pepperonis, and I am uncomfortably full with heartburn. so, of course I am obsessing. I wonder why I can't control myself like a normal person. I find myself constantly thinking about food and diet.