6 Months Post-Op With a Swollen Esophagus, Hiatal Hernia and Reflux

[vayiayia 1]

Hi All,

I was bandd on 4/16/09. When I started the pre-op LapBand process last December I weighed 232. On the day of surgery I was 206. I am now 177, so I've lost 55 pound total, but only 30 since the surgery. I expected to lose more than I have post-op.

It's been a rough ride. My doc said he started me out with a 2cc at surgery. I've had only one 1cc fill, which was on May 29th.

Since the surgery and my fill, I vomit up more than I keep down. It not a particular food, but seems to be a day by day thing, but I'd say 5 out of 7 days, I have issues. I didn't go back to my LapBand doc until the end of Sept. because I didn't think I was ready for another fill.

The week before I saw my band surgeon, I went to an ENT doc because I always have phlegm in my throat. I thought it was a throat/nose issue. The ENT numbed me up and put a camera up my nose and down into my throat. He said my esophagus was swollen due to reflux and told me to stop Nexium and prescribed Kapidex. Personally, I think the swelling is from all of my vomiting. Having a swollen esophagus doesn't help with the food going down.

So when I relayed all of this to my Band doc, her refused to give me a fill and sent me for an upper GI. Turns out I have a hiatal hernia. The LapBand surgical report stated no hiatal hernia at the time of my banding.

So, I have been taking the Kapidex and am still having problems. I reun to my Band surgeon in two weeks. Don't know if he'll give me a fill under these circumstances. I will probably have the ENT scope me again as it seems simpler that having an endoscopy.

So here I am at a weight loss plateau and not knowing what the next step will be.

Anyone else have any of these issues?

Thanks!

[soocalchic 1,087]

You prpbrably need to have that hiatal hernia repaired that will help with the indigestion issues you are having.

[LSF 264]

I would get the hernia repaired but also switch to Protein Drinks, Soup & Jello for awhile to see if that helps.

[TSB 1]

You prpbrably need to have that hiatal hernia repaired that will help with the indigestion issues you are having.

My surgeon repaired a hiatal hernia at the same time as he installed the band. I had chronic acid reflux since I was a teenager. I have had absolutely no reflux since surgery and am no longer on meds for it.