My wife has had her band in place about 4 years, reached a sensible weight, and then stabilized after gaining about 12 lbs. The restriction necessary for that loss eventually became too bothersome, so for some time now, she is maintaining with a minimum fill aided by a careful monitoring of her intake. Even at this low fill level she is still experiencing excess regurgitation (at one time she developed pneumonia, the cause diagnosed as reflux entering into her lungs), a sensation as if something is "stuck" in her throat, constant nose stuffiness, a general malaize of the gi tract, including bouts of diarea and constipation, and irritation of these areas in general. After all this, she is still so pleased with the results, that she will not even entertain the band's removal. Unfortunately, during this 4 year period, she has developed some rather significant emotional problems. She is very much in denial, but some are so overt, that she simply has had to acknowledge that they now are a large fact in her life. I am convinced by much research that her somewhat limited food intake could not be the entire cause. I have also learned that the GI tract, and especially, the esophagus, stomach and intestine, is not only affected by the emotions, but they themselves, can cause emotional upheavals. This has been illustrated, to an extent, by the mental effects of certain anti-acids on some individuals. I am sure that factors other than the band have also played a role. I am wondering if others on this forum have had similar experiences, either with themselves or with someone else that has chosen this procedure. Personally, I think I would feel rather uncomfortable (and eventually aggravated), having a constant band-like restriction, and, I imagine, the sense of it's presence would eventually annoy me, especially on the top of my stomach, for that is exactly the area where I experience dramatic, quickly occuring emotions, and thus, stomach aches. I also would get very frustrated by constantly having swallowing problems and throwing-up all the time. At this point, I simply want to determine if, and to what extent, the band can be held responsible. I realize that this is a very complex problem, with most likely, several diverse issues and causes. My purpose is to discover and, hopefully eliminate as many as possible. .........Thanks

I can't help you much with the emotional issues, but in my experience it has little to do with the band. I think she should go talk to someone about those things and you should as well.

The reflux, vomiting, swallowing peoblems, and other things you mention do not sound normal at all. When was the last time she had her band checked out? Some of these sound like her band may have slipped.

Hi. Best of luck to you in your Quest for answers here.

I do think that constant heartburn and irritation, throwing up or really anything that causes discomfort for a long period of time will be an emotional drain on someone. Pre-band - I had a chronic cough - caused by heartburn for about six months - that was making me miserable. I'm not sure I would have described myself as having emotional problems - but I guess I was emotionally distraught over my discomfort. Being overweight can cause emotional distress too!

From everything my Dr. has told me, I have read on this board and in books - The band is not working correctly if it is causing the symptoms you describe above (regurgitation due to heart burn, stuck feeling in the throat).

Maybe your could encourage your wife to go to back to her Dr. to discuss what she is suffering from (doesn't mean she has to have band removed). I also think that an ENT specialist might help - maybe she has some sort of sinus issue??

I think this is one for the specialists.