harmonyherb

I am 85 years old and live in New Jersey. My lap band has been giving me problems with food getting stuck. Tomorrow I am going to the ER to get the food that is doing the blockage removed. I have never had my lap band adjusted and was wondering can I have it enlarged after 14 years. I would like to have it removed by I am afraid of the risk of surgery at 85. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Hello there, I am 85 years old and my lapband is 13 years old. Saturday (6/12/21) at dinner my lapband blocked. I was able to bring up virtually all of the food in the Men's room but no relief. Came home did the overhead stretches, long walks, sipped hot tea, no help. It is now 24 hours I have not had anything to eat or drink and no sleep. My wife just brought me some pineapple juice which I sipped but it did not stay down. I am also chewing papaya enzyme pills, hope they help. Looks like no sleep tonight as well. I hope I can get into a bariatric office an get a de-fill. I hope my lapband is still good, I do not like the idea of surgery at my age. I do not like the idea of possible dehydration from lack of liquids. Maybe I can give you better news on Monday. Harmonyherb

Hello all, I want to thank all of you who responded to my original post. I am now fine with no blockage and no discomfort. I wonder if I should put my self under a bariatric doctor now that I am living in New Jersey I will be 81 in August and I guess it would be a good idea. I am a singer with an a cappella chorus so breath control is important and the last thing I need is a reflux problem. Thanks again for all of your good suggestions and support. Hugs from Harmony Herb

Fighting to survive is never a failure. Make sure your B12 is up to specs. Ask doctor for a blood test for vitamin deficiency. You may have to take B12 shots once a month. My wife does and it has helped for over 10 years. Good luck and hand in there. Herb

Thanks James, It seems that papaya enzyme is the most popular meat tenderizer used to help dissolve food blockage. What difference a day makes. I feel great, had a good breakfast, took my wife out to lunch and now waiting for my son to join us for dinner at our condo. The relief is amazing. I was quite scared when I started to bring up blood with my slime. I think I am fine but will definiitely put myself back under the care of a Bariatric doctor. Thanks to all for your comments and support. Regards, Herb

Hi Ashley, I will pick some up tomorrow. I had oatmeal for breakfast and thank God it went down fine. What a scare, this was the worst blockage in 8 years. I will find a Bariatric doctor near our home in New Jersey where we moved to 21/2 years ago. I am starting to get nervous about the lap band after 8 years. I will be 81 in August and I am not very thrilled about the prospect of surgery. Perhaps all will be okay after a few days, but I will put my self under a doctor's care to make sure there are no further complications. Thanks so much for your reply and suggestion. Have a great weekend. Herb

The blockage finally got cleared after 4 hours. I was bringing up some blood which scared me. I must have scrapped the esophagus wall with the stuck piece of chicken. Once the blockage cleared I had some jello and went to sleep. Had a good night hope I can down some oatmeal for breakfast. Thanks for the reply. Herb

Thanks for comeback Cali, I really do not want to spend the night in the ER. Is there a chance that it will go down on it own or if I keep drinking warm water.

It has been 3 hours since lunch. Made the mistake of having grilled chicken, too dry. I tried stretching, walking, sipping hot tea. I brought up a lot in the restaurant but nothing has been coming up the past 2 hours but nothing can go down either. Never had this problem before last so long. Is there anything I can do the unblock the blockage. No pain or discomfort but not being able to drink plain warm water is scary. Any suggestions. Herb

I had my lap band on August 2008 and have not had any problems other than an occasional food blockage. Lost 90 pounds and at 8o years old I feel great but could lose another 30 pounds. Today I am in trouble. I made the mistake of having grilled chicken for lunch it was to dry and I am now blocked. It has been 3 hours and it will not break up. I tried walking , sipping hot tea which only caused slimming. So while I am not in any discomfort I cannot drink or eat. Does any one have any suggestions. I do not want to go to the ER. Any advice would be appreciated. Herb