I really need help!!!

paritam · May 20, 2009

I have been banded since january 6 2009 and have had a relatively good experience so far (lost over 75 lbs), but over the weekend something horrible started. I was placed on Pepcid some time ago because of acid reflux (or that is what they believed). I had 1 fill of 3 cc and an unfill of .3 cc. I began to wake up with a horrible acidy and sour taste in my mouth and was burping up yucky stuff. I have not been able to eat or drink anything since Sunday night. I am hungry and VERY thirsty...(even Water comes back up).. I eat or drink and within 10-20 minutes I have pain and alot of pressure and it comes back up..either on its own or because I make it from the pain). I am going to see my surgeon today...but feel that they may just unfill me and brush it off. I weigh myself daily and saw that I have gone from 258 (on Sunday morning) to 251 this am...This is alot! Anyone have any ideas??? I do not think that anything can be stuck for this long, could I have slipped from vomitting?? PLEASE HELP!

ParrotheadCathy · May 20, 2009

Really TALK to your surgeon. You have plenty of questions and need answers. Tell him you need to know EXACTLY what is going on.

Suzdavis · May 20, 2009

You should call your Dr. My Dr took me totally off Nexium before surgery. He said some of the symptoms of acid refulx could be something wrong with the band. Taking Nexium would hide them and he would rather know about it so we could fix it. He didn't say what could be wrong but I have had no acid reflux since surgery.

lindaa · May 20, 2009

I've had similar experiences--you probably need to be unfilled ASAP. Glad you're going to the doctor. Let us know how it turns out.

HeatherO · May 20, 2009

I have been in the same boat before and an unfill is the only thing that can help. If you were already having some issues with reflux previously then you were probably a little too tight to begin with and it may have just been a matter or time before you came to this point after a pb episode.

Also, after you pb or bring food back up, it can cause your stomach to swell which causes you to keep pb'ing until it gets progressively worse. You sound like you are already a bit dehydrated and that accounts for the rapid loss (once you rehydrate you will gain a little and that loss will be smaller).

You may not have slipped at all but are just dealing with swelling. Once the doctor does a bit of an unfill, you will probably feel immediate relief. I am happy that you are getting in today, if you have been having this problem since Sunday, that is a long time to suffer through it.

mitomom1997 · May 20, 2009

Hi. I've had a lap band for just over a year now, and I have lost all the weight I wanted to lose, and 5 pounds more than that. Yay! As you obviously know, it can be a "bumpy" ride. I had a few episodes where I had prolonged vomiting like you are describing as well. My Dr. told me that it most likely happened because something became stuck, and after it passed through, I would be fine. Twice, I did nothing and it eventually passed through on it's own. However, you've gone far too long without fluids to keep up with that. Twice also, I had to have the Water removed from the band, and I would slowly sip the Water until whatever it was had moved through. Then I would have only liquids for another 24 hours or so and I came out fine on the other end. Hopefully the same would be true for you. Definitely talk to your doc!

Jen

Teacher07 · May 20, 2009

I wouldnt worry! I am guessing your band is just too tight. My doctor has always said if my acid reflux or heartburn returns to come in ASAP because my band is too tight! Stop worrying and just visit with your doctor!

Chincotigger · May 20, 2009

One of the nurses I work with had these symptoms when her band slipped. She needed surgery to have a new one inserted. Hopefully not your case, but it's nothing to take lightly. Let us know what the doctor says and sorry you're not feeling well. :cursing: