I have been getting everything in place for a possible late October or early November surgery until this week...I went in on Monday to have my chest x-ray, stomach x-ray and labs done. Later Monday night I started having severe chest pains...enough to make me have my husband take me to the hospital. As it turns out, it wasn't a heart attack and they couldn't really determine what it was until I got the results of my stomach x-ray.

The x-ray showed significant acid reflux - news to me, since the only time I have ever had reflux like symptoms was a couple of times where I ate a lot of food late at night and I haven't even had that in months. Evidently, the barium they had me drink, combined with rolling from side to side on the table while they watched the barium flow through aggravated something...very strange. Now, I have to have an endoscopy next week to determine what the cause is and they are telling me that if we can't get it under control then I am no longer a candidate for the band.

Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this?

For over 20 years I would get chest pain. My husband would say "It's just stress, I get it too". Having 5 children I trusted what he said and went on with life.

Over the years the chest pain would come and go be mild to I was sure I was have a heart atack but terified to see doctor.

When I started the process of getting the Lap Band and I was getting the test results and found out I have gullstones and small hiatal hernia I started to rethink my chest pain. The kis are mostly grown and besides my weight I really have very little stress in my life. Because of my stated chest pain I had to have a Cardiac consultation. Cardiac doc and I both agree that if is really was my heart I would have other symptoms. My surgeon did a HIDA Scan to rule out gullbladder problem. I check out fine and he do not think the hiatal hernia is the problem either. I was really concern about what this chest pain could be and wanted to know before the band. I was afraid I would not be able to tell the differance between the old chest pain and something pertaining to the band.

Then 4 weeks ago I had my last appointment the RN at surgeon's office to go over pre op diet, day of surgery, and post op diet. She also gave me a RX for Omeprazole. I was to start taking it the day of surgery and contiue for at least 90 days. This is an acid blocker.

So I decided that maybe, just maybe the chest pain I have been having could be GERD. I started taking the Omeprazole 4 weeks ago and OMG NO MORE CHEST PAIN. All this time I think what I had was GERD and I just did not know it because in addition to the chest pain I would sometimes get heartburn. When I was pregnant or if I had too much coffee.

Don't be discouraged. I sure with the right medication for your GERD you will be able to proceed with the band.

Prayers for you from me.

Michele

Edited September 27, 201015 yr by kosy2