redrum602

I had my Lapband placed in October 2007. got my gallbladder removed and a hernia repaired at the same time. It slipped in 2013 so had surgery to put it back into place. My heartburn has become unbearable so my doctor is recommending to remove my band and get the gastric bypass. I was scared at first, shaming myself for "failing", telling myself who am I to think I am worthy enough for the bypass when I couldn't succeed at the Lapband, blah, blah, blah mental games. But then I recognized I am blessed to be able get this opportunity - that I am not getting any younger so better to help myself be in my best shape now than later. So pending some co-morbidity approvals, I should be well on my way to converting. I am scared. I am excited. I am hopeful.

My question is for those who converted from Lapband to Gastric Bypass - what are things you wish you knew about or understood prior to converting? Or things you learned about since converting that would be helpful for someone going through the same process?

Hi all -

I thought I would just post another update. Since my last unfill I have been just okay. I have still been having to sleep upright when I sleep and I have to not eat anything at least 4-5 hours before going to bed. Plus I try to drink some liquid to push everything down so I don't have reflux. I am on Nexium twice daily now. It helps, but everyday is a struggle.

I haven't gone back to my LB doc since my last post. The holiday's were okay. Just trying to eat small portions and stay away from chocolate, tomatoes, mint - pretty much everything that is not carb based. I eat alot of mushy foods like breads, Soups, and mashed potatoes now. I have lost a few more pounds, but I know I am not healthy at all.

The last few nights have been difficult - I've had GERD episodes the last 2 night which are pleasent. I also have some stressful things coming up over the next few weeks that I know are agrivating my stomach.

I am thinking of returning to the LB doc just for a check-up and let him know what's going on. I read on another forum that someone had similar GERD symptoms and it turned out to be the gallbladder needed to be removed. I recall my LB surgeon mentioning I had some stones at time of surgery, but elected not to remove the gall bladder at that time.

I have a hunch that my problems will never fully go away unless I get my band removed and it's only a matter of time when that will happen. This is killing me mentally, but I am just trying to stay positive.

Thanks for listening and please continue to post your updates.

Hi - what tests did they do to identify your gallbladder problems? I know what gallstones feel like - as I had an episode pre-surgery. My surgeon opted against taking it out during surgery 3 years ago. However I have such back reflux now I am thinking maybe this is the culprit?

Hi - does anyone who has posted to this thread have any updates on their situation? I have been banded since 8/07 and over the last 6 months, I have had extreme GERD to the point where I have to take Nexium 20mg twice daily and have to sleep sitting upright or I wake up in the middle of the night choking on food/liquid that I had for dinner.

It seems to come in waves in terms of the intensity of it. The last few nights it has been pretty bad. I've been waking up with the night coughs again. This extreme hasn't happened in a few weeks so it is stressing me out that it is happening again.

I cannot really eat very much and if I eat things that are not carb based, I usually end up having to throw up. Also, mint, chocolate, Tomato, spicy stuff makes me throw up too. I hate having to live like this but it is managable I guess. I am just scared that it is only going to get worse. I've seen a gastrologist and he did an EGD back in Aug 09 and found nothing but inflamation. Last time I talked to him he suggested I start with trying to see if I'm allergic to a certain type of food - so I was going to have to go on some weird diet. I decided against that and have just been dealing since then.

Any update from anyone else?

So I went in yesterday and got another .5 cc's taken out. I feel better, but have a strong feeling it's going to come back again. My Dr said he see's this regergitation/GERD in 20-30% of his patients. Wow. That is alot. He said that when it gets really bad, patients either just get the band removed or changed to Gastric Bypass.

This is totally freaking me out. It seems like there is a strong chance that I will have to loose my band! I don't think I would want to revise to anthing permanent like bypass. It sounds like some people just get a new band placed....but isn't this issue just going to happen again?

My Dr wants me to see how it goes and if it starts happening again to come back and he'll do the barium swallow.

I don't know what I am going to do....

Hi all. Well my reflux is back again. sleeping upright the last 4 weeks or so has been terrible. I hate it! The meds (Nexium and Protonix) haven't done anything. After talking with a fellow bandster, she suggested trying to get another unfill since that fixed the prob last time. I have an appt tomorrow to get that done.

I tried calling the gastrologist again to see what he had to say. He started telling me to try a lactose free diet. I thought 'seriously? This guy is shooting in the dark on this one.' My friend said her Dr said sometimes the stomach slips up through the band a bit and causes these symptoms. Usually it is triggered from throwing up. I am just hoping this doesn't keep happening.

I am 2 yrs post band, down 105lbs. I have been married almost 11 years (since 18 yrs old) no children. Over the last year or so my self-confidence has changed alot - in a positive direction for myself. I am now realizing that possibly the man I have been with for the last 12 years is not the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I am realizing that there are ALOT of other fish in the sea, and there is a possibility that I could find someone that I think I could love stronger and better. However, I don't know how (or really if) I want to break it off with him. I feel like everytime I decide to NOT think about it, I start to develop resentment and negativity towards him for either things he does not do now (that I wish he did) or negative things he had done to me in the past (when I was heavier and more of a pushover).

I have talked to him about this before, and I think he knows how I feel, but I really don't want to bring it up b/c mostly of excuses I make up in my head (I don't want to interfere with his school focus, I don't want to deal with his fits and blowups, I don't want to deal with the finances and up-coming family gatherings right now).

I really just don't know what to do. I sometimes wish that he would just cheat on me or find someone new so I wouldn't feel so bad for wanting to break it off....but I don't forsee that happening, and I don't think that's very healthy. Sometimes I think about cheating on him, but again that's not fair to him AND I don't think I could live with myself with doing that.

I really don't know what to do. I know when I bring this up again with him, he will blow-up and say - fine I am leaving - start packing his bags and somehow screw himself over by dropping out of school (flushing a semester of $10k down the toliet). I wouldn't mid trying marriage counsoling, but I am not initiating it (as I have 3 other times in the past). If he wanted to go, I would go, but I am not setting it up.

Other times I feel like I am super selfish for wanting to move on since we have been through SO much together. But as I look at the past, I realize he was never there enough for me - he always seemed to just be a bystander to things that have occured during the time we have been together (including banding). I truly feel there are real men out there I could find and could be in a happier relationship.

I don't know what to do. I just feel like a big chicken for not being able to go through with this.

So it sounds like there are only 2 doctors that can help you. Are they LapBand doctors? Or just general practice doctors(that's what GP is, right?)? In either case, it sounds like you seriously need to get an unfill..... and pronto. Are there any public doctor's that can help you? What about your surgeon? He should be able to help you, right? If not him, can't you call his office any explain the severity and ask for a refferal to someone they know that can help you? I am just trying to think of alternative for you my dear.... it sounds like you are in much pain, and blood is never good to see.

Hang in there and try your hardest to make someone who can help you understand. I know how much pain and uncomfort you are in as I was in the same a few weeks ago. I will pray for you!!

I got my un-fill today. I feel MUCH better already. The strange thing is that the last fill I got was in Sept 08 - I got .5cc's. Then in April 09 I got .25 removed. Now since this incident I asked to get another .5cc's removed. I feel much better. I'm not sure about how the restriction will hold up - I haven't eaten yet today (just a smoothie). Hopefully the reflux will stop completely and I will be able to maintain my weight. I am at 164 and am totally fine at this weight. Of course loosing another 10 or so would be great- but not if I have the terrible reflux. I guess my tentative plan is to keep this fill level for a few months and depending on the scale, I might increase a bit. At thing at this point my stomach just needs a break.

The great part is that we have the band! So we can continue to fill/unfill as needed!

But - I would suggest - with reflux problems, first thing is to get an un-fill!

Hi All -

GO GET AN UN-FILL! The last fill I had was in March, so this sounds bizzarre - but do it.

I have been having the same problem over the last month and it has only gotten worse. I originally went to my LapBand doc, he took an x-ray saying my band may have slipped, but it didn't. Then he told me nothing is wrong with the band and to go to someone else to get treated for GERD.

I went as far as having an EGD today with a gastrologist, and he said everything inside of me looked fine except that my band seemed extra tight. He said he could barely get the scope camera through it!!

I am going in first thing in the morning to get an unfill. I am not sure how much yet (I have 8cc's in a 10cc band). And I am assuming that should give me relief asap.

Hi All -

GO GET AN UN-FILL! The last fill I had was in March, so this sounds bizzarre - but do it.

I have been having the same problem over the last month and it has only gotten worse. I originally went to my LapBand doc, he took an x-ray saying my band may have slipped, but it didn't. Then he told me nothing is wrong with the band and to go to someone else to get treated for GERD.

I went as far as having an EGD today with a gastrologist, and he said everything inside of me looked fine except that my band seemed extra tight. He said he could barely get the scope camera through it!!

I am going in first thing in the morning to get an unfill. I am not sure how much yet (I have 8cc's in a 10cc band). And I am assuming that should give me relief asap.

Hi All -

GO GET AN UN-FILL! The last fill I had was in March, so this sounds bizzarre - but do it.

I have been having the same problem over the last month and it has only gotten worse. I originally went to my LapBand doc, he took an x-ray saying my band may have slipped, but it didn't. Then he told me nothing is wrong with the band and to go to someone else to get treated for GERD.

I went as far as having an EGD today with a gastrologist, and he said everything inside of me looked fine except that my band seemed extra tight. He said he could barely get the scope camera through it!!

I am going in first thing in the morning to get an unfill. I am not sure how much yet (I have 8cc's in a 10cc band). And I am assuming that should give me relief asap.

I hope it works out for you Nicole.

I started having night coughs a few weeks ago and it would wake me out of sleep; I would be choking and eventually running to the bathroom and throwing up in the sink sliminess and tasting what I had ate last. I can't handle it anymore. I can't sleep laying flat. I am now sleeping upright in bed. It is not comfortable at all.

I went to my dr 2 weeks ago and he took an x-ray and said the band hadn't slipped. I wonder if an x-ray could really see it or not. He suggested if it didn't go away, to go back to my normal dr and get a prescription for reflux meds. I don't think that will work though because I have been taking Zantac and it has been doing nothing.

I hope this 'slippage' issue doesn't bring an end to our bands. For the last 2 years I have tried really hard to work with my band to be successful. I don't understand how the band could slip so easy? It seems to be around 2 years on everyone here that I have read. It's weird. Almost like a rejection after 2 years.

I hope everything works out for you. Can you recall what if anything would have caused the slippage?

Wow. I am shocked at how many people are having this problem. I started experiencing the 'night coughs' about a month ago after a stomach flu. It seems to be a tad random but the last week it has been consistant. I went to the band dr when the stomach flu was finishing up. He ordered a x-ray and said that it doesn't appear the band has slipped. If I still experienced it after a week, go back to the normal dr to look into GERD medication.

However, after reading all of your stories, I think my band must have slipped or something. The only relief I can get is if I sleep upright. Laying down, I get the night cough and throwing up slime with a bit of food that tasted what I ate last.

If I do have a band slippage, I am wondering if I get it fixed, what is the likelyhood that it will happen again? I am a pretty careful bandster. I am constantly listening to my body and just all of a sudden this started. I can't think of what might have caused the slippage. And if it is going to happen again, is it worth fixing it or just getting it taken out???

I've been banded 2 years. Not sure if I can go a lifetime with visits to fix the band every few years....

Sunday, June 7th

4:00 pm

Skokie (Rush) NorthShore Hospital - Skokie, IL

Sharfstein Academic Room

(Main Building)

9600 Gross Point Rd, Skokie, IL

FYI - we have some more meetings scheduled that are coming up. Details below: **Please Note: location has slightly changed**

Also - there are 3 patient run meetings that are coming up. The details are on the Chicago Lap-Band Group on Facebook. I am also posting the info here. Hope you can make it!

Sunday May 17th 2009

Sunday June 7th 2009

Sunday June 28th 2009

4-6pm

Skokie Hospital (Rush North Shore)

Skokie, IL

Directions and location details:

Skokie Hospital

We will be in the large meeting room in the Kenton Knox Bldg -- 9701 Knox Ave. It's on the parking lot at the hospital.

From I-94 (Edens Expressway): Take I-94 and exit at Old Orchard Road. Turn east. Continue east to Skokie Boulevard and turn right (south). Proceed on Skokie Boulevard about one-quarter of a mile to Golf Road. Turn left (east) on Golf Road to Knox Avenue. Turn left (north) on Knox Avenue and proceed in to the parking lot. The Knox Building is located on the right (east) side of the parking lot.

From I-294 (Tollway): Take I-294 and exit at Dempster Street East. Take Dempster to Gross Point Road. Turn left (north) on Gross Point Road and continue to Golf Road. Turn left (west) on Golf Road and then right on Kenton Avenue. Proceed in to the parking lot. The Knox Building is located on the right (east) side of the parking lot.

Also - there are 3 patient run meetings that are coming up. The details are on the Chicago Lap-Band Group on Facebook. I am also posting the info here. Hope you can make it!

Sunday May 17th 2009

Sunday June 7th 2009

Sunday June 28th 2009

4-6pm

Skokie Hospital (Rush North Shore)

Skokie, IL

Directions and location details:

Skokie Hospital

We will be in the large meeting room in the Kenton Knox Bldg -- 9701 Knox Ave. It's on the parking lot at the hospital.

Carretta

From I-94 (Edens Expressway): Take I-94 and exit at Old Orchard Road. Turn east. Continue east to Skokie Boulevard and turn right (south). Proceed on Skokie Boulevard about one-quarter of a mile to Golf Road. Turn left (east) on Golf Road to Knox Avenue. Turn left (north) on Knox Avenue and proceed in to the parking lot. The Knox Building is located on the right (east) side of the parking lot.

From I-294 (Tollway): Take I-294 and exit at Dempster Street East. Take Dempster to Gross Point Road. Turn left (north) on Gross Point Road and continue to Golf Road. Turn left (west) on Golf Road and then right on Kenton Avenue. Proceed in to the parking lot. The Knox Building is located on the right (east) side of the parking lot.

Hi - I started a Chicagoland LapBand group on Facebook. If you are a user of Facebook, look us up and join! I will be posting Chicago LapBand events such as support group meetings as I know about them!

The group name is 'Chicago Lap-Band'.

Thanks!

Hi All -

It is interesting in reading your posts. I had surgery August 07 and over the last 6 months or so I have had random spats of really bad stomach cramping and burning sensations. I have read other posts of others having the same problems and those people ending up getting their band removed because no doctors could help them. I went to the gastrologist and he wants to do an endoscopy, but I don't want it. Because I don't think it will find anything.

I really don't think there is a problem with my band - I think it is what you all are saying! Our stomachs have changed the way they digest food, and we are feeling that wrath. I stared taking Fiber pills that others have suggested and that helped a few times.

BUT...

I started reading about alternative therapies and tried eating pineapple when I start getting the pains. It has helped incredibly to curb the pain! It makes me pass alot of gas, but that is what I think is causing the pain.

I started reading that pineapples have a enzyme called Bromelain that aids in breaking down Protein. I am going to really start paying attention to what is triggering the pain. If it is when I eat Protein, then I will go back to the gastrologist and let him know what I have discovered. I think I maybe on to something.... (at least I hope so because I DO NOT want to loose my band!)

More info on pineapples: Pineapple - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bromelain: Bromelain - What You Need to Know About Bromelain

If anyone would like to experiment with your stomach issues and pineapple - feel free to share your experiences with it here so we can all know if it is working for all or us or not!

The Fiber seems to be working! I am trying to take it (2 pills) once a day. I haven't seem to have this issue on those days that I remember to take the pills. I forgot 2 days and then the pain started. I was able to get to a drugstore to pick up some chewable fiber pills. It helps to curb the pain a little. I am not sure why the fiber is working..... anyone have any clues??

I started taking Fiber pills - 2 once a day - usually mid-day. This has seemed to lessen the pain or make it so it does not start at all. I am not sure why this seems to be working, but I am sticking with it for now. I do not want to reach out to the doctor for him to start running all these tests and then tell me there is nothing wrong that he can see.

Hope the Fiber is the magic fix! :smile:

Hi -

A weekend LapBand ChicagoLand Northside support group is just starting! Our first meeting's details are below. Feel free to attend! During this meeting we will talk about additional meetings going forward.

Upcoming North Side Lap Band Support Group - First Meeting - Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 7:00 PM

Skokie Hospital (Formerly Rush North Shore)

NorthShore University Health System

Room - Sharfstein 1

9600 Gross Point Road (Gross Point and Golf Rd.)

Skokie, IL

Meeting room is located on the 1st floor of the main hospital. Come in the front entrance at the Main Lobby. Gift shop is to your right. Take that hallway near the Gift Shop and the meeting room will be down the hall on the left side. If you have questions, I believe there will be someone at the Information Desk in the Main Lobby.

I am having the same problem. It is terrible. I got my band in August 07. I started having this problem in December, but then it went away for a while. Last week I had a slight unfill and now it is happening again. I had an upper-gi and the doc said it looked fine. I started taking zantac as I think it may be helping just a little (not enough). I am going to try taking benefiber as some other people suggested on other posts. Please let me know if anything works for you.

I am having a similar problem that I guess at this point is acid or gas. I got a slight unfill last week and since then I have has terrible gas pains after eating or drinking. By night time, it is so bad that I stay curled up in the fetal position to relieve it. I went to the doc about it a few months ago and he asked me to get a barium x-ray (where you drink the barium and they takes x-rays of it going down). Everything was fine. I haven't had the issue in a while since I was so tight I could barely eat anything.

I am going to try the Benefiber that others had suggested in other posts. Please let me know if anything works for you.

I have had similar pains - tends to happen after I have eaten something. I get really bloated and feel like my lower stomach is filling up with gas. It causes such great pain that it hurts to stand up straight. I have been taking Zantac, and that tends to help a little, until it's meal time again. I don't know what to do. I am going to try this fiber thing you speak of.