Hamilt10

I was banded is 2011. I have lost over 50 pounds...the hard way. Whenever I get a fill that creates the restriction I need to lose weight, eventually (days, weeks, or months) the opening will close and I cannot tolerate even liquids. This has lead to many unfills and and ER visit. This past weekend, I had the second ER visit. I had been losing weight beautifully for 4 months. The band became too restrictive and fluids would not pass. The surgeon removed 2 cc's. After a week of pain in the esophagus, I felt normal again (he did an upper GI to check the band and it was fine). Three weeks later, he filled 1.25 cc's. The band became too restrictive a week later so we removed .5cc's. Two days later, I cannot keep any fluids down. The surgeon is in New York, off to the ER I go. I was very dehydrated so they gave me IV's. They loaded me up on anti-nausea meds that did NOT work. The longer I was there, I began to get a constant intense pain in my rib cage. The worst of it was in my middle back. Hours in the ER did no resolve the blockage and now the pain is so intense I am almost in tears. I was admitted to the hospital. The next morning, I received an EGD. Following is the impression right from the report: 1, Blood in the fundus. 2. Inflammation in the fundus and body of the stomach. 3. Irregular z-line. 4. Normal esophagus. 6. The gastric band appears to cause entrapment of the fundus and the body of the stomach. Inflammation and hemorrhagic mucosa occurs from the entrapment. This entrapment was relieved by the endoscopic procedure, the hemorrhogic mucosa is seen in the body and fundus. I understand this to mean that the doc pushed the stomach, that was blocking the way, back through the band. When I woke up from the procedure the pain was gone and I could tolerate liquids. This doc believes this has happened before and was likely happening at my first ER visit. Since the only way to really know would be to do the EGD once I have reported the blockage. Has anyone else had this happen? I can't find any documentation on it. He was very direct about having me see my surgeon immediately to "manage this". Thank goodness my esophagus is normal

I am thinking about having it removed. This, along with my GERD, has really worried me. It's depressing to think that after 4 years it has to come our. I fear I will gain all my weight back. My family is really adamant about removing it

Well found out indeed this is rare. My doc has never seen it. I was told I could have lost my stomach or worse. Only 10 pounds from goal and will likely have it removed. Thank goodness I was listening to my body! The band has served me well

I got the feeling this doc did not approve of what he saw and "manage" did indeed mean get it out! I made an appt with the surgeon yesterday and sent over the EGD report and pics. They now have asked me to get the CD of the procedure. I have a feeling this may be a first for them also.

I'm 52 and had esophageal spasms right after my July 2010 surgery. Doc gave me Donnetal. It helped right away and I stopped taking it after two weeks. I now am restricted to my "sweet spot" and frequently get the spasm which makes it difficult to impossible to swallow. I find that going back to the Donnetal an hour before I eat does the trick. I am losing weight and finding the routine that works for me.

Today is my 3rd week post surgery and I spoke to my doc today about what I believe are esophageal spasms I have been having periodically for the last week (since last doc visit). When they started, I thought it was trapped gas/air trying to come up. The pain starts very low and slowly rises to a crescendo that feels like there is a big rock stuck in my esophagus over my chest. Then the pain subsides. There is no pattern to the spasms. I now have a dull ached in my chest from the continued spasms and did not sleep well last night. Today I was prescribed Donatal and we are setting up an appointment for an upper GI. I had a small hiatal hernia repaired with the banding. No reflux or heartburn problems previously and honestly I have been doing great otherwise and thrilled with the band. Now I'm a little scared something might be wrong. Hope to get the xray soon. I will post the results.