I have been trying to get answers to this. I have seen PCP, GI, and Band doc many times. I have constant burning in the middle of my stomach! I am on carafate, prilosec twice a day, and sometimes still have to take pepcid and tylenol. I am unable to care for my children or home as I am in constant pain. HAS ANYONE HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS! This does not come up into my chest or throat. I had my Gallbladder removed back in July and started noticing upset stomachs periodically off and on since then. I am begging for help. The band doc does not thing it is the band and the GI wants to say it is esophagitis but does not listen to me when I say the meds don't help and that it stays in my stomach. I have had an endoscopy and an upper GI series, nothing found!

I am 2.5 pounds away from onederland and NOT even happy because I have suffered the last 16lbs off.

Will a complete unfill help? I would make the decision to take out the band (not lightly as I have to pay myself and paid to put it in less than a year ago!) if I could get a definite answer that it is the cause of my problems.

Please, if anyone has had this happen would you please talk to me.

Desperate. I just want to feel normal and I don't care if it means not losing more weight or even gaining weight!

I'm not a Dr but maybe its not on the inside of your stomach maybe its something on the outside. If they've looked at the inside and found nothing to indicate a problem you should see about the outside. Again I am not a dr. so I have no medical knowledge at all. Just suggesting a process of elimination.

I know it's a bit scary, but why not get a complete unfill and see what happens? It's very possible you're too tight and it's showing itself in other ways.

I think I remember reading someone else who had something similar. They took all her fluids out and the pain went away. They then gradually added more back in over time and she did fine.

If you're feeling that miserable, take the Fluid out. If you gain a few lbs, it will be worth figuring out what the problem is.

I asked for a complete unfill and my doc did not think that I needed it. I am making him do it this week though. I can't take it.

I don't know what you mean about looking on the outside??

I agree that an unfill is in order. It is not your doctor's decision, it is yours. Also, were you checked for H.Pylori bacteria when you had the endoscopy? Just a thought. I hope you find relief with the unfill. This is no way to live.

Good luck.

I agree that an unfill is in order. It is not your doctor's decision, it is yours. Also, were you checked for H.Pylori bacteria when you had the endoscopy? Just a thought. I hope you find relief with the unfill. This is no way to live.

Good luck.

I got the unfill today. Not sure how I feel yet but I think it is a step in the right direction. My doc said to me, that "maybe my body/esophagus just can't handle the band and maybe it should come out". I don't get it. I had NO PROBLEMS until I had my gall bladder out and then all heck broke out. I am hoping that the unfill will let my esophagus and stomach heal. I don't mind if I gain a little weight and have to keep it unfilled. Taken it out would be a last resort financially speaking. I paid $18,000 to have it put in LESS then a year ago!

I was tested for the h.pylori and it was negative.

Has the burning stopped since the unfill? Are you feeling better? I hope so.

I would think that you have time before you make a decision about removing the band. With the unfill you will hopefully get back to normal. That said, if you do not start feeling better I would suggest changing your GI doctor. This could possibly be something serious and you will need a doctor that listens to you.

I truly hope that you are on the mend and that you will feel "normal" again soon!

Happy Holidays!

~Fran