Beach girl 0 Posted August 9, 2011 August 2011 - nearly 4 year after being banded. I'm having exactly the same symptoms for nearly a year and it is steadily getting worse. Every night...bile, vomiting, regurgitation, coughing, Cannot sleep - even in a reclining chair - To make a long story short - My military doctor was transferred overseas and I had to see a regular surgeon (for a referral) who said that he did not think it was the lap band - He suspects a Zenkers Divertrictulum. Its a pocket that forms on the esophogus and holds food. I have barium swallow tests scheduled for Thursday. The problem appears to not be connected to lapband - Problem that older northern europeans get - I'm 61 - rare but it happens. . They do not plan to adjust my lapband and I may have to have surgery on my esophogus - and a scar on my neck. I hope this is it. I am so miserable and am actually gaining some of the weight back out of sheer depression and exhaustion. Ask your doctor to eliminate Zenkers Divertriculum as a possiblity before you go farther... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tootsuzy 0 Posted August 13, 2011 I thought I was the only one suffering with my band. It makes me feel a little better than many other people have the same issues as myself. I am due to have EGD in the next two weeks. I cannot wait.. I have not been able to sleep for 3 months I have acid reflux, bad coughing so severe I throw up in the middle of tghe night at least twice, My stomach hurts constantly I cannot eat anything solid. It Soup, oatmeal and shakes.. I have had nothing but issues since I got the band Although I am very happy with the weight lose I have so far. Which was 80 lbs. I am still at 250lbs. I have tried everything not eating at night sitting up prilosec, My doctor seems to think the I have a prolapse and will need to repair, or remove the band.. At this point I want it removed,.. I have been through so much.. A year after getting banded my port flipped.. surgery to fix, a year ago I have a hernia with sever pain, repostioned port and hernia fixed.. Have never found my sweet spot, either I am throwing up all the time or gaining weight due to no restriction. I have many friends that don't have issues with their band.. I must say that I am ready to let it go, I am in so much pain. It has been affecting my home life, my work, every day is a struggle, I hope that this time my doctor can either get me oin track or remove the band.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BarbBee 1 Posted August 13, 2011 I have been banded over 2 years and this same this is happening to me. I have been anticipatiing a much needed fill for a month now (apt is tomorrow April 7) and now I changed my appt to an Upper GI and more than likely at least a partial unfill. I hope I get some answers tomorrow having AR all night long is exhausting!!!! AR all night is exhausting!!! I went through this too. I had almost all of my fill out because of this. I didn't think it was from too tight restriction as I could still eat what I thought was a lot. I had a upper GI barium swallow and got the results today. The doc told me my restriction was almost causing a complete obstruction and the food I ate was sitting in my esophagus and had dilated it. Thus when I laid down the food was sitting in my esophagus and came back up, regardless of the prescription pills to stop acid reflux. I will see how tonight goes. I hope for a good nights sleep. I now have 1.8cc's in a 9 cc band. Luckily I have lost my weight and have maintained for the last 2 years. It still freaks me out to have almost no fill but the damage it was causing had to be stopped. Please folks if you are having acid reflux through the night get some fill out...it will help. The long term damage could be very serious. My doc says my esophogus will return to normal once the swelling subsides and my stomach settles down. Already I can burp better and no pain while eating. Oh joy!! What a relief! Luckily my band has not slipped and is in the correct position. I will now have to be even more diligent about keeping up my exercise and proper portion sizes. Fingers crossed for a full nights sleep! Barb Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bayli1 0 Posted August 16, 2011 Hi, I am not sure how long this has been posted but I read it because this is exactly what is happening to me right now. I am not sleeping at night because I am vomiting so much. I am affected during the day as well. Omeprazole is not helping. I can't eat anything without at least some of if coming up in a lot of mucus but now I am actually getting stomach acid in my mouth! 2 nights ago I aspirated on it and now everything is burning. My Dr. office was so cavilier about it. They said they can see me next week to have an unfill. I am curious if this actually helped anyone on a permenante basis? Please be careful with the reflux. It created aspiration pneumonia in my mother, which turned into ARDS. I then lost her on April 3 of this year. Make them fix the problem or take it out. Protect your health. I would do anything to have her back with me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tootsuzy 0 Posted August 16, 2011 I am really glad I had my band removed almost 2 years ago. Life with the sleeve is so much easier. No pbing, no food getting stuck, no throwing up in the middle of the night choking and coughing. Now I just eat small portions and I am never hungry. I love the sleeve! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blair2828 0 Posted August 19, 2011 I have had the same thing going on for 7 -8 weeks... I'm on 2 dexilants per day & reglan-- hoping to calm things. I'm on Ambien because I can't sleep. Tussin because I can't quit coughing my head off from the aspiration. I strain to talk from the abuse of my vocal chords. Insleep on a 10-12" wedge....STILL CONTINUeS night after night... Today I went and had .50ccs removed and I'm getting an upper gi so my doc can see what's going on.... I'm praying tonight there is a difference... because I am only 20 lbs from my goal weight and the thought of gaining weight from the unfills is devastating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ellendeette 1 Posted August 19, 2011 I hope your doctor gets you tested ASAP to find out what is going on. This is no way to live. You must be exhausted. Please post again to let me when your appointment is for your test and what happens. I really care what you are going through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jessicamarie 2 Posted August 27, 2011 Hello All,I am shocked to see so many ppl are having the same problem. I was banded December of last year and for the past 3months i have been waking up several times trying to catch my breath (almost as if i stopped breathing while i am asleep) i start coughing then vomiting! I didnt think this problem was even related to having the band since i am perfectly fine during the day no food getting stuck or any complications food/drinks go down smoothly, only at night while I am asleep this happends. I went to my doctor yesterday (regular dr.) to see what is up with me. he called me today and let me know all bloodwork and other test which were takin came out negative. he mentioned in my x-ray they found I have 5% pnemonia and are going to start me on antibiotics. after reading BAYli1's post above i am very concerned and scared Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beach girl 0 Posted August 27, 2011 Update - Had that barium test and found that my band is way too tight. Esophogus looked really wide so I think that the same thing is going on with me as some of you. No Zeckers. So I'm to have my lapband totally openned. However, Have to wait three weeks because my military doctor was sent to Afganistan. - Cannot figure out why people need lapbands there. Guess he went there as a trauma surgeon. Meanwhile eating early and eating mostly carbs for supper and drinking lots of ice Water all evening is helping. Cannot wait to get this open all the way. Considering switch to sleeve. August 2011 - nearly 4 year after being banded. I'm having exactly the same symptoms for nearly a year and it is steadily getting worse. Every night...bile, vomiting, regurgitation, coughing, Cannot sleep - even in a reclining chair - To make a long story short - My military doctor was transferred overseas and I had to see a regular surgeon (for a referral) who said that he did not think it was the lap band - He suspects a Zenkers Divertrictulum. Its a pocket that forms on the esophogus and holds food. I have barium swallow tests scheduled for Thursday. The problem appears to not be connected to lapband - Problem that older northern europeans get - I'm 61 - rare but it happens. . They do not plan to adjust my lapband and I may have to have surgery on my esophogus - and a scar on my neck. I hope this is it. I am so miserable and am actually gaining some of the weight back out of sheer depression and exhaustion. Ask your doctor to eliminate Zenkers Divertriculum as a possiblity before you go farther... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BarbBee 1 Posted August 28, 2011 Update - Had that barium test and found that my band is way too tight. Esophogus looked really wide so I think that the same thing is going on with me as some of you. No Zeckers. So I'm to have my lapband totally openned. However, Have to wait three weeks because my military doctor was sent to Afganistan. - Cannot figure out why people need lapbands there. Guess he went there as a trauma surgeon. Meanwhile eating early and eating mostly carbs for supper and drinking lots of ice Water all evening is helping. Cannot wait to get this open all the way. Considering switch to sleeve. That is exactly what happened to me. I had most of my fill taken out. I now have 1.8 cc's in a 9cc band. The defill has fixed the problem. I can now sleep without being propped up and no more throwing up or pain! So far I haven't gained but am being super careful about what I eat. So relieved. That was awful!!! I think this is a lot more of a problem than Doctors are willing to admit. I still have no regrets at this time about the band but you need to do what is best for your health. So glad they figured out what was going on for you and you will have some relief soon. Take care. Barb Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mssoreal 0 Posted September 11, 2011 Hi! Had the surgery Sept.2010 have lost 96lbs and loving it,but this year starting in Jan. I too started throwing up but not at night just everytime I try to eat something can barely get it down before it's coming back up filled with mucus.I've been to the ER and back to my doctor done had fill up and unfills and nothing seems to work.I have an appointment on Sept.14 to have a let out but reading all you'll post I'm not letting them do anything til they can tell me why I can't keep anything down. Thank All Felicia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ellendeette 1 Posted September 13, 2011 Hi! Had the surgery Sept.2010 have lost 96lbs and loving it,but this year starting in Jan. I too started throwing up but not at night just everytime I try to eat something can barely get it down before it's coming back up filled with mucus.I've been to the ER and back to my doctor done had fill up and unfills and nothing seems to work.I have an appointment on Sept.14 to have a let out but reading all you'll post I'm not letting them do anything til they can tell me why I can't keep anything down. Thank All Felicia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ellendeette 1 Posted September 13, 2011 You are so right. Something is not right. I don't think the band was meant to be that way (to eat and it comes up again with mucus or slime). How can you get the right amount of Water and Protein that way? That is not a healthy way to live. Maybe you can suggest to the doctor to take some tests to see if your band slipped? Tests need to be done like an endoscopy or other tests to determine slippage. Please post again after your appointment to let me know how your appointment went. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jessicamarie 2 Posted September 13, 2011 Hi All, i had the barium test done and after 30min the barium would not pass the band! the next day i went back to doctors to get another upper GI test and the barium was still there! i had my doctor to an unfill (took all liquid out) since my band has been emptied i have not thrown up at night and been sleeping like a baby only downfall i gained 8lbs not happy about gaining but i am scared to get my band filled again 2 lauradevans and clugo831 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ellen De-Ette Tippit 0 Posted September 14, 2011 Thanks for the update. I am relieved to hear that you are sleeping better. Gaining weight is no fun. Hopefully, you can figure out soon what is going on with your band. Please let me know what you find out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites