Undecided.....

[Dragonlily 5]

Hi All,

Im new the this discussion group and I think I need a little help with my decision!! I had the lapband surgery June 2007 and I have lost about 35lbs to date. Not bad - slow but still a good thing. The only problem that I am having is that I have 2 large ulcers at the base of my esophagus. I have been taking Losec for about 4 months and I still have pain but the acid reflux is wayyyyy better.

I have had alot of eating issues since my ulcers started - I don't enjoy food at all and I can't eat alot of the good things that I should be eating such as chicken and fish even alot of vegies(this goes for the bad things as well) and I am contemplating on whether or not this surgery was worth it or perhaps I should have the band removed and continue my weight loss journey on my own???:thumbup:

Please give me any advice or thoughts on this as I just want to be healthy and be able to have a little enjoyment in the food world!!

I think without the ulcer things would be a lot better but tired of vomiting after eating........

[RestlessMonkey 7]

did the band cause your ulcers? If not, why not get unfilled (assuming you have fills), heal, and start over again? You (or your insurance) paid a lot for the band and I'm sure you had good reasons for getting it. It is VERY had to lose weight "on your own", we all know, we've mostly all tried it before!

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

I think it would be a shame for you to have this weight loss aid removed, especially before you know more about these ulcers. Can they be treated? Your doctor should be helping you make these decisions, but I sure wouldn't be in a hurry to give up on the band. Good luck.....

[Dragonlily 5]

did the band cause your ulcers? If not, why not get unfilled (assuming you have fills), heal, and start over again? You (or your insurance) paid a lot for the band and I'm sure you had good reasons for getting it. It is VERY had to lose weight "on your own", we all know, we've mostly all tried it before!

Thanks for your replies - The ulcers were a direct result of the lapband surgery, I have had 4 fills to date and have had 2 gastroscopies to check on the ulcers and have been on Losec to aid in getting rid of them now for about 4.5 months. I have had issues eating from the 2nd fill and when I went to see my surgeon because of the pain he initally didn't think there was anything wrong with me and the nurse actually laughed at my symptoms when she relayed what I had told her to the DR.

I think it would be ashame to get rid of the lapband but I am concerned for the long term effects to my body. I am concerend about the scar tissue and even possibly having the ulcers get worse. My esophagus is quite small to begin with and I have less then 3 ccs in the band. My esophagus is irritated often so there are days when I can't eat anything and I vomit everything I do try to eat. I have talked to my dietician and dr about this several times because I eat whatever won't hurt and will go down - yoguurt, ice cream, crackers - nothing really super healthy.....

So I am at a loss of what to do because the only place in Canada that has the clinic that does the surgery for free is in Alberta. I have since moved to Bristish Columbia and to see my DR. I will now have to fly out there should I need anything done.

I think what I am looking for is maybe some ways to be able to cope with it or to help me make the right choice. It took me a long time to decide to get the surgery in the first place because I haven't been able to fdo it on my own.

Im just frustrated - I hatge vomiting, I would love be able to chew my food and eat something and enjoy it without knowing that today is gonna be a bad day and everything is gonna come back up....*SIGH*

Im feeling blue about all of this.....

[lovegrapes 0]

Have you been tested for the bacteria H. Pylori? I'm not sure of the exact statistic, but somewhere in excess of 70% of ulcers are caused by H. Pylori. If you are infected you need to be treated with a course of two antibiotics and continue your "Losec". I would hope that your doctor has already tested or treated you for this.

I would probably just continue taking the Losec, eating cautiously and see where it takes you. If there isn't resolution of your problem or it gets worse, I would maybe consider getting the band removed at that point.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Only you can decide what's best for you (and living on yogurt can't be the answer!) I think lovegrapes is on track with the test for H. pylori. I'd also get unfilled. totally. You need to let those ulcers heal; that's priority. Once they are healed up, get a small fill and see how you do. I've read that a small esophagus can be a contraindication for the band but now that you have it I'm sure you'd like for it to work for you. And while you are healing try to get sufficient Protein even if you have to drink Protein shakes (whether you enjoy them or not) Your body needs Protein to heal.

Again; you have to do what feels right for you...but I think unfill, healing, and then see about a slight fill might be a good choice for you. If you did ok until the 2nd fill, you may be overfilled for your situation.

You've already taken steps to get better (the losec, which I assume is like our American Prilosec!) .... so don't stop! get unfilled and see how you feel.

You may be on your losec forever. My husband has GERD (no band, not overweight, just has GERD) and will probably take a similar drug the rest of his days. BUT his erosion is gone. It's worth it.