Had to unfill and then found my upper pouch has streched!!!!

theresasweeney · February 3, 2011

I've been banded for over 3 years and it has worked well for me. I love my band!! Maybe not everyday...but for the most part I love it. Unfortunately over the past 4 months I'd been having issues with reflux, esophagus pain and vomiting. I went to my fill doctor to have some saline removed. I was at 2cc's and he took out a 1/2cc, which put me at 1.5cc total. It did alleviate the pain for the most part, but then after a few weeks I realized I had almost NO restriction! I decided to have an upper GI done to find out if there were any issues going on.

The doctor found that my much of my complication is due to an enlargement of the portion of the stomach that is located above the band. He said it should be the size of a thumb, but mine is the size of a tennis ball!!!!!

He advised talking out the rest of the Fluid and let things settle down and then do another GI in a month or so. What was really odd is when Ihe went to remove the fluid he found no saline! I still don't understand where 1.5cc of saline went. He didn't really have an answer for me.

I have already gained back15 pds in the past 2 months and that is freaking me out. What's worse is my fear that the upper stomach will not shrink and be small like it should. My doctor was not optimistic that it would.

Has any out there had this happened? Did your upper stomach shrink back or did you have to have another band put in? Does this occur because of overeating or perhaps because the band was too tight for too long.

Just looking for some answers....

vlp1968 · February 5, 2011

Sorry you are having trouble. I really don't have an answer, just wanted to sympathize with you. Work closely with your doctor and hang in there. Best wishes!