GERD after the band

[tellie 0]

Hello everyone,

I would just like to ask if anyone knows how common if at all, is it to develop GERD after the lap band. And if it's related to theband moving or can just be a coincidence?

Haven't been able to lie down for 3 weeks now, and both my GP and band doctor keep telling me its not band related, just something that can happen at any time, and as long as I can eat/drink, just have to put up with it. But last night i couldnt even sit at night, I inhaled acid 7 times before I decided to spend the rest of the night walking around the house in the dark feeling sorry for myself :mad: I am still feeling sorry for myself, sorry.

Thank you all

Tellie

[donali 57]

Tellie, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this.

I don't have any figures for you, just my gut feeling based on the reading of many boards/posts. It seems to me that the development of reflux after banding is pretty common - particularly after one reaches goal. I haven't read any scientific explanation for this, I just know that many people who have been banded a long time can no longer tolerate the same tightness of fill that got them to where they are.

The only solutions I know of are medication, reduction/removal of fills, modification of diet/habits.

You may find that something specific you are eating/drinking is contributing to this problem. If you're not interested in having a little fill removed, you may try eliminating these things from your diet for a while, and see if that makes a difference:

1. acidic juices/fruits, like citrus

2. caffeine - coffee, tea, chocolate

3. spicy foods

Also, you want to make sure that you are not eating within a couple of hours of when you lie down. You may have to forgo drinking for a couple of hours before you lie down as well.

Some people are in the habit of taking medications at night before they go to bed. Switching those meds to the morning has helped some of them.

If you already don't partake in the above, then you have to choose between medication/fill reduction or a combination of both.

Please keep us posted, and I hope you're feeling better soon!

[GeezerSue 7]

Get another opinion...or fight like hell with the doctor you have.

If you inhale that junk, you can develop really bad pneumonia.

The band can cure GERD in those who do have it and CAUSE GERD in those who don't have it. Call Don Mills at Inamed and get info you can use to convince your doctor you need meds. Achiphex is my favorite, but many insurances have stopped covering it. Use one of the over-the-counter drugs if nothing else.

You cannot inhale stomach acid without damaging your lungs.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000121.htm

[GeezerSue 7]

I just learned that Kenny Loggins is playing at the Golden Nugget on October 8th. Hmmmm.

[leatha_g 4]

Tellie,

Has your doc done an Upper GI? How can he say this is not band related without looking at your band? This sounds exactly like what I had when they said i had slippage. :mad: Ugh.. i Hate when they just make these arbitrary decisions without investigating. ANYTIME you have significant reflux at night, to the point of aspirating this should be investigated. Get thee to your doc and demand an Upper GI, PLEASE!!!

[tellie 0]

Hi again, and thank you for your replies.

Donali, that info is very interesting, I wonder what exactly makes that happen. It is horrible though. What gets to me is the fact that I was perfectly healthy ( albeit morbidly obese :mad:) and now I have this crippling thing that is making my life hell. I have gone through all the diet and behviour changes in the last 6 weeks ( since this started) and yet it keeps getting worse every day.

I just got back from seeing the doctor again. I asked him to take all the liquid out and insisted on having an x ray. I only had .5 ml in and a lot of restriction, so something is just not right.

Sue, I dont know if aciphex is available in australia. I have actually been on medication for 3 weeks, taking pariet and somac, both acid suppresants. The doctor today said to double the dose.

Leatha, what is the differentce between an upper GI and a barium swallow? I asked for x rays because I know they did those after surgery.

I dont know what I want to find out.... what scares me more. The band slippage, and surgery again (?) or the band in place and no way of fixing this disease.

Thanks again

Tellie

[leatha_g 4]

Basically the same thing, I believe. Someone correct me, if I'm wrong.

So, did he do the xrays??

I sure hope all is well!

[La_madam 20]

Sue does that mean you wil lbe coming to Vegas in Oct? Are you a Kenny Loggins fan?

[GeezerSue 7]

I put this in the wrong thread. I'm not a "fan" fan, but i just realized how often I turn the radio up full blast when his stuff is on...

[sheeanisland 0]

I am actually just the opposite. I suffered very badly from GERD aka. acid reflux. I took Nexium, acifex and nothing helped pre band. I had an upper GI done before being banded and my reflux was so bad I was awful. My voice was so raspy from all the acid in my throat all the time. I usto be able to sing years before and I couldnt even do that anymore. So I can totally symphathise with you. But I am happy to report as of the moment after my surgery my reflux is gone! I dont even take med's anymore. My voice is just as it should be .. nice and clear. I am so thrilled with this the weight loss is a bonus! Dr. Rumbaut did tell me also that if you never had it before than you could get it and if you have it pre band it will go away. And it did I am so thankful. I am sorry you have to experience this you do need medicine for it. Tums barely help but I usto wake up in the night and have to take them. You need lots of pillows to elevate yourself. Also You can put a couple patio blocks under the mattress to elevate your head. Anything that helps. I know how you feel.

-Andrea

[tellie 0]

Hi Andrea,

I am glad the band helped you with the reflux!

At least now I know its not a permanent thing for me. GERD is a horrible disease and as worried as I am about having surgery again, at least I know when my band is back in place these horrid symptoms will go away. Thank you for the advise.

Cheers

tellie

[Guest DebiS]

I just got my band on the 23rd of this month from Dr. Aceves in Mexico. We discussed before hand how bad my heartburn was, he told me that he would check for a hitenal Herina before placing the band. Because if he didn't it would cause major problems with the band and my life.

Come to find out, yes I had a Herina and a LARGE hole that years of acid had eaten. He told me, he could see why I was in such pain with hurtburn. He repaired it, then placed my band on.

It has only been 5 days, but so far no heartburn!!!! I hope that more doctors would check there patients for Hitenal Herina's before placing the band. Don't let a doctor tell you ohhh it will just get better after being banded... because if you have a herina no its not just going to get better! Long term it is going to cause problems some where down the line.

I had no idea I had one, but I suspected I did. Was the best thing I did by telling my doctor and him making sure that was taken care of before he placed my band.

If I were you, I would take out the fill... have a upper GI done and take care of that asap before much damage is done.

Best of luck to you!