DILATED ESOPHAGUS LAP BAND REMOVAL

[crustymouse23 4]

My esophagus is dilated do to the Lap band. When I went for the upper GI it looks almost double the size a normal esophagus should be. How long does it normally take to heal?

Apparently the surgeon who will be removing my lap band is the best one at Kaiser. Regardless if he’s good, I thought he was an asshole. I felt belittled by his answers and although I could go for a second opinion I know I’m going to need to get the lap band removed regardless. He said it’ll take a year for my esophagus to heal but I don’t know if that answer was exaggerated as I felt all his other answers were.

For instance: When I asked about how much weight people normally gain after the lap band was removed, he said many people even lose weight because you can actually eat the right stuff and my hunger would stay the same. I asked how long would it take for me to heal after the surgery, he said because it’s a simple procedure many people go back to work the next day but it’s up to me. When he asked if I drink, I said yes on occasion he told me I needed to stop. I said I don’t drink everyday and proceeded to show me what alcoholism does to your liver. OK, SIR, I AM NOT AN ALCOHOLIC. He asked me when I wanted to get the lapband removed (although NEVER) and told him after the Holidays. He was upset at my response and said, "I had another patient asking if they can get it removed next week, but I said NO because I thought you were going to want to do it." Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh okkkkkkkkkkkkkk,,,,,,,, my appt. is Dec 2.

The nurse is GREAT and I told her what happened and she told me she would talk to him. After they spoke, it almost seemed as if the story changed. She told me he would like to see me in 6 months after the procedure to know how I’m healing and I would be able to do the sleeve. I’m trying with all my heart just to stay positive.

Again, with a dilated esophagus that almost seems double the size, does anyone know how long it takes to heal? Are there any remedies, Vitamins to speed up the dilation recovery process?? Thank you. <3

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I am not sure there is a cookie cutter answer to how long it takes to heal. My surgeon gave me a 3 month healing period, but my diagnosis wasn't exactly the same as yours.

My personal experience is that my hunger WENT THROUGH THE ROOF after the band was removed. It shocked me because I had not had any fill for years. I worked with a doctor to try to learn to eat moderate carb to keep from gaining weight during the 3 month wait.

I am not saying my experience is universal - it is true that I could eat healthy foods easier once the band was gone, but the bad habits of eating alot of sliders, eating soothing foods for my undiagnosed band induced reflux etc were already ingrained. Eating crap triggers more hunger, but I didn't really understand all that back then.

[crustymouse23 4]

I am not sure there is a cookie cutter answer to how long it takes to heal. My surgeon gave me a 3 month healing period, but my diagnosis wasn't exactly the same as yours.

My personal experience is that my hunger WENT THROUGH THE ROOF after the band was removed. It shocked me because I had not had any fill for years. I worked with a doctor to try to learn to eat moderate carb to keep from gaining weight during the 3 month wait.

I am not saying my experience is universal - it is true that I could eat healthy foods easier once the band was gone, but the bad habits of eating alot of sliders, eating soothing foods for my undiagnosed band induced reflux etc were already ingrained. Eating crap triggers more hunger, but I didn't really understand all that back then.

Thank you!!! I haven't had fill in 3.5 years.

I'm planning on going on belviq soon after I have my lap band removed. Just to clarify your better eating habits were already ingrained in you? For instance now I don't really eat/enjoy burgers, pizza as I did band.. Since I can't eat them I don't care for them. I think I'll just stay away.. A lot of those things don't really speak to me either.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

No, worse eating habits were ingrained during my band years.

It was easier to eat chips over whole grain bread

It was easier to eat carby food over dense Protein

I often felt like my tummy was on fire when I was hungry, so i developed a frozen yogurt/ice cream habit as it was the only thing that soothed me (dummy me, didn't realize it was band induced reflux)

I had to reset how I ate big time.

[crustymouse23 4]

Ohhh!! OK. See with me I find it much easier to eat things like fish. I mainly go for that for Protein. I'm just hoping this still will stick! How long did it take you to recover after the band? Thank you again for answering my crazy butt.

No, worse eating habits were ingrained during my band years.

It was easier to eat chips over whole grain bread

It was easier to eat carby food over dense Protein

I often felt like my tummy was on fire when I was hungry, so i developed a frozen yogurt/ice cream habit as it was the only thing that soothed me (dummy me, didn't realize it was band induced reflux)

I had to reset how I ate big time.