privatedancer7

I was diagnosed with dysphagia after the band was removed. My doctor recommended another physician help me because this problem was out of his area. I take a muscle relaxer that works sometimes. You mention that there are experts in your area that can help you with your dysphagia. Does anyone know of any experts in California that can help with this problem? I sincerely hope that no one else has to deal with this scary, uncomfortable feeling. Private Dancer 7 Banded March 2008 Removed August 2008 Dr. Krahn San Bernardino, California

The gastroenterologist stated that the lap band caused my problem. I had no problems before the lap band. I only got 1 fill-the smallest amount available-because my doctor noticed that something just did not work well. I only regret that I did not insist that the band be removed immediately. Private Dancer 7 Banded by Dr. Krahn March 2008 Removed August 2008 San Bernardino, California

I contracted dysphagia due to a failed lap band. I take a muscle relaxer for the esophagus. I have good days and bad days. I totally regret having the procedure done and I pray that I will be normal again. My doctor sent me to another doctor to figure out what to do with me. If anyone knows of a doctor that can help me, please let me know. Private Dancer 7 Banded by Dr. Krahn 2008 San Bernardino, California

:mad:I had very similar circumstances and did niot realize that my esophagus was being damaged on top of everything else. I was banded in March and finally had it taken out in August. Unfortunately, the damage was done. Altjough it has been a year since I was debanded, , I take a muscle relaxer for my esophagus. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Furthermore, my surgeon recommended that I see another doctor for my problem. I have been so depressed about the decision that I made to have the band but I have decided to deal with it instead of being stressed. With a damaged esophagus, you feel like you still have the band in and that it is too tight.. Eventually, the feeling goes away and comes back again. Please stay on top of complications and ask your doctor to carefully monitor the situation so that you won't be left with a damaged esophagus!!! Private Dancer7 Banded March 2008 Dr. Krahn San Bernardino, California

Unfortunately, I tried to wait on the band and kept it for 7 months. I have irreversible espophagus damage and must take a muscle relaxer the rest of my life. If you are having problems as I did early on, please think about what you are doing and make informed choices. Good Luck and God Bless.......... Private Dancer7

I had the same problem and after 5 months I was not able to get anything down. I had to receive emergency surgery to remove the band. Unfortunately, the band, scar tissue and what ever else has damaged the area and I still have some dificulties swallowing 75% of the time. I take a muscle relaxer for my swallowing. It seems to help. I was told that nothing else can really be done. Private Dancer7

Thanks for the response. I guess that it depends on if you are lucky or the degree of skill of the surgeon. I have read some posts where people had virtually no reaction after the removal. I suppose that it does come with the territory. Private Dancer7

Do you know if this could cause difficulty swallowing even though the band has been removed? My band was removed in August 2008 and I still have good and bad days with getting food down. I am thinking now that maybe the scar tissue or something else is causing the problem. Private Dancer7 Banded March 2008 Removed August 2008

My band was removed in August and I still have recurring problems with my esophagus-difficulty swallowing. My doctor has placed me on a drug that lowers blood pressure and helps with muscle spasms. I am going back to see the doctor because the meds do not work consistently. I am also getting a second opinion because I feel that something was done that has damaged my insides even though the lap band is gone. If anyone has any suggestions, please respond. Private Dancer7 Banded March 2008 Band removed August 2008 Moreno Valley California

I had difficulty swallowing food shortly after surgery. The situation got worse and my doctor was very concerned about giving me a fill. He did give me one fill and had to take it out because it immediatley made my problem worse. What is so strange is that even after removal I still have swallowing episodes which means that something has been altered. I just pray that if and when I have surgery again-hopefully for the last time-the situation can be corrected. Private Dancer7 Inland Empire

Hello. It sounds like you had a rough time. My surgery went well although I eventually had the band removed due to swallowing and unfortunately the situation is still bad even though the band is gone. By the way, who is your doctor. I live near you and I wonder if by chance we had the same doctor. Private Dancer7

I had the problem for 5 months. Finally, it was removed. However, I feel that the band caused some type of nerve damage or something because I still have tightness 5 months out since surgery. My weight loss surgeon sent me to a gastroenterologist who has prsecribed a muscle relaxer for the rest of my life and the muscle relaxer does not really work. I hope that things work out for you. Private Dancer7

It is unfortunate regarding the gentleman's wife that nearly died. I think that it is important to hear what has happened to others, even though it may be a rare complication. I too am experiencing some difficulties even after I had the lapband removed. Please know that I am not a troll and I accept my fate but I wish that I would have looked into possible scenarios after lapband removal. Frankly, I never thought about it and focused my attention on my doctor's record regarding the surgical implantation-not removal. Private Dancer7

I need an expert surgeon to finish the job. I had my lap band removed due to difficulty swallowing-dysphagia. Six months later I still have this problem even though the lap band is gone. I must assume since I had no trouble swallowing before that something is not right. Does anyone know of a doctor who has helped a patient in my condition? I am located in Southern California. Thank you Nanook for responding to my earlier post. Private Dancer:confused:

I need an expert surgeon to finish the job. I had my lap band removed due to difficulty swallowing-dysphagia. Six months later I still have this problem even though the lap band is gone. I must assume since I had no trouble swallowing before that something is not right. Does anyone know of a doctor who has helped a patient in my condition? I am located in Southern California. Thank you Nanook for responding to my earlier post. Private Dancer:confused:

I need your help. I had my lap band removed after three months due to difficulty in swallowing . Unfortunatley, I have muscle spasms in my esophagus. It is a very uncomfortable feeling and I am thinking of going to another surgeon-hopefully Southern California-for help. Please respond if you have heard of this problem or you had your lap band removed and are are not having spasms--feels like tightening -swallowing- issues. I am willing to go to another doctor if he/she can help!!!!! Private Dancer7

I had an emergency lap band removal after the sixth visit to the hospital with the inability to swallow most any foods and even thicker liquids. My doctor and I detemined that the lap band was not for me. Unfortunately, I still have minimal problems swallowing and I am told that my esophagus just does not work properly. I never had any problem swallowing before I had the lap band and I now I fear that I will have to live with this problem the rest of my days. Was anyone ever told that in the event that your lap band was removed there may be lasting restriction, esophagus issues, etc.... Private Dancer 7

I had mine done laparascopically while in the hospital. Privant Dancer7

I have good days and bad days still swallowing 5 weeks later after band removal. My doctor thinks that he may need to go back in-another surgery-and take out the stitches attached to my stomach. I dread another surgery and I wonder if I will ever be normal again. Thank you for thinking of me. Private Dancer7

I hope things go well for you. My band was removed after 4.5 months. It has been about 1 month and I still have good days and bad days swallowing. My band was removed because of the inability to swallow and it appears that it is still somewhat with me but not nearly as bad. Private Dancer7

Spasms sometimes feel like something is caught in your throat or your food moves slowy down your throat Sometimes I was not aware that I was even having them but the radiologist confirmed that I was as I drank the barium. I had problems swallowing on many occasions and I was sent to the radiologist who confirmed that I had spasms. Unfortunately, after three hospitilaztions,two endoscopies and a manometry test to measure swallowing, I lost the band after 4.5 months. I hope that things work out well for you. I think that it is important to talk to your doctor. Private Dancer7

I had the same problem with my esophagus and after 3 hospitalizations my doctor and I opted for removal. I am still having some spasms which according to some specialists due to the band. I am working with an esophagus doctor to remedy the situation. I hated to lose the band but it was best formy health. Good luck to you. Private Dancer 7

You are so right. It is indeed a gamble and one that for me obviously was not worth taking. But unfortunately we make the best decisions based on the knowlege that we have at the time and to quote Oprah Winfrey when we know better, we do better. I know better now. Private Dancer 7

Never again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!After 3 hospitalizations, it was removed. I currently can not swallow very well, throat hurts sometimes, and I have been referred to a throat specialist for esophagus issues........ I was told that I had a lot of scar tissue and I might need another surgery to help my problem. Let's see. That brings the total number of surgeries to five already and six if we can not figure out what my problem is. If anyone has any ideas, I would deeply appreciate your response. Private Dancer 7