Band Slippage/Distended Esophagus

[prettyinpink 2]

Although I was banded in May of 2008, this is my first post on here. I now wish I would have visited this site more often, as it may have prevented some of the problems I have had. In November 2008 - just 7 months after my surgery, I tried to take some Ibuprophen caplets first thing in the morning (looking back, not the smartest thing to do, but my back was killing me that day and I was desperate for relief). The pills got stuck and I vomited about 4-5 times in a 2 day period. My band slipped. My surgeon informed me that this typically does not happen with an occassional illness, but usually after prolonged, violent, vomiting episodes. WRONG!!! It can happen very easily - I'm the proof. I am an RN who researched the Lap-Band® surgery and my surgeon for almost a year before making the informed decision to have the surgery. I followed the rules and did everything I was told to do. I ended up having a revision within 2 days. My band has not worked the same since. Beginning with the very first fill I had acid reflux, which I had never had before. I had lost nearly 90 pounds with my first surgery, but I have not lost any weight in over a year now. In fact, I recently started being able to eat more and was gaining back some of the weight I had lost. I went in for a fill last week and was told that I may be too tight. I thought they were nuts! I was able to eat things I shouldn't even be able to eat and was eating almost normal portions! I was informed that sometimes the band can be too tight, and it causes the esophagus to stretch - therefore, allowing you to eat more and with no discomfort or vomiting. I thought they were full of it. I knew what too tight felt like. I have had to be unfilled several times and was not able to hardly swallow Water. My Dr. ordered an upper GI and to my surprise, they were 100% correct! I was too tight and even after 1 hour later, the barium had not passed through my band. My esophagus was enlarged about 3 times more than normal. I had no idea this could happen. They also found that I have a large hiatal hernia. The radiologist sent me straight to my Dr.'s office for a total unfill and I must wait a month for my esophagus to return to normal size and possibly have a hernia repair before getting another fill. I am soooo discouraged and disappointed. I feel like a total failure. I have tried and failed every diet/weight loss program there is and now I can't even make a LAP-BAND® work for me! This was my last hope of ever getting the weight off. I forgot to mention that I paid privately for my surgery - TWICE!!! I still have about 3 years to pay off! Any advice/wisdom/encouragement would be appreciated.

[heidib 15]

just bumping this up for you. maybe someone else can help.