I hope someone can help me understand what is occurring with my lapband. I awake constantly through the night coughing from aspirating. I have had this happen before when a fill caused me to be too tight, but this is not the case now. I can eat and drink as I'm supposed to. It doesn't feel like heartburn, but rather like seepage backing up when I lie flat. Any help you can give would be so appreciated! I am craving uninterrupted sleep.

:help:

Sometimes snoring can cause what feels like aspiration and choking. Did you have a sleep study done before your surgery. It could be a matter of sleep apnea that is resulting in the feeling of gastoesophageal reflux. It is worth discussing with your doctor. So sorry you can't sleep. I can't either, but that's my life. I've always kept weird hours and now that I'm retired I find I doze during the day. I'm getting a wee bit spoiled with this retirement.

I'd have it checked with your doctor, just in case. I've been told that nighttime reflux, when not overfilled, can be a symptom of slippage.

Hope you get some sleep soon.

Thanks so much for responding, Parvathi and Dody. I did have a sleep study before surgery and since I lost 40 pounds, the snoring is much better. I am praying that it is not slippage...I've already had a revision surgery and am struggling to get my fills regulated so that I can start losing again. I will talk to my doctor, though. I appreciate your thoughts!!

How long between the last time you eat and when you go to bed? Eating too soon before bedtime can cause these symptoms.

Why not set a limit on not eating anything after 6:00 pm and see if it helps. Oprah swears by it...but then we can't all afford the chefs and personal trainers that she has. It probably is a good policy for anyone, and I for one need to remember that worse than anyone once I have the surgery. I am a night eater....and don't eat a thing during the day....not good.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am trying that tonight. I really want to get this under control because the thought of a third surgery for the band is overwhelming to me. Do you ever burp up warm water when you've not had anything but water for several hours? Who else but your lapband friends could you ask that of!!?!

I hate to tell you that I had exactly the same symptoms. My doctor used an endoscope and saw that my band had slipped and eroded. I have to have it removed and I probably can't have another due to scarring. I hope it isn't the same outcome for you, but it would be a good idea to have it checked out just in case. :cry

Lena

definitely ask for a flouro to check your band placement.. reflux of water several hours later is a pretty good indication it is sitting above the band far too long... this could be pouch dilitation problems, slippage.. or hopefully some other explanation, but i'd ask to verify ASAP. Good luck to you!

I haven't had the lap band yet but I have GERD. You would not believe how bad the heartburn gets and if I bend over or sometimes just when I laugh or cough my stomach contents comes up my esophagus and burns the hell out of it. I was hoping using the band to lose weight would help this condition, am I wrong? I have tried all the anti-acid pills, the only one that does not give me diarrhea is Zantac which I take 3 times a day, 450 mg per day. I also have irritable bowel syndrome, does anyone know the effects of the band on that? Suz

Leah,

I was having the same problem as you when I went to sleep. Fluids would seep up into my throat when I was asleep. I went for a unfil today

and I hope I sleep better tonight. I already feel better.

Clara

Kansas City

Suz - I don't know anything about the irritable bowel stuff, but I had heartburn and reflux so bad before I was banded that I was waking up in the night with it up in my nose. Horrible, burning, drowning senstations - gasping for breath. It was awful. My doctor put me on Protonix and from the very first day it stopped. No sign of heartburn. The day before I had the band surgery was the last day I took the Protonix and I have yet to have any problems at all.

Typically, when a banded person is experiencing reflux they are either overfilled or there is some other problem going on with the band, as mentioned in the previous posts on this thread. It is not a common thing and overfills can be easily adjusted with immediate relief.

Leah - See your doctor and have it checked for slipping. It's possible that you need a slight unfill. It might be something as simple as eating too late in the evening. But don't take any chances. Have it checked asap.

Susan, thanks for responding. I tried protonix, it gave me diarrhea just like all the rest. The irritable bowel syndrome probably has something to do with that. What are GS cookies? Suz

I awake constantly through the night coughing from aspirating. I can eat and drink as I'm supposed to. It doesn't feel like heartburn, but rather like seepage backing up when I lie flat. Any help you can give would be so appreciated! I am craving uninterrupted sleep.

:help:

Leah68, I have had the same problem for awhile now and I have just been miserable. I know I have acid reflux but with the band it did get better but every evenings after going to bed, I would wake up coughing so hard that I couldn't breath. I had been faithful taking my Prevacid but it would only last for a short period of time. I believe allergies had a lot to do with also.

Anyway, I said all that to say a girlfriend told me to try organic apple cider vinegar and it has been a wonder for me! I have been :notagree like a baby ever since. Since I started taking it my pressure has gone down and the acid reflux has been non existant. I don't endorse any product and neither am I a doctor but I do know what you have been going through. If you get a chance check out this website: www.bregg.com and read the information regarding the product. It's been a God send for me. Good luck!

Don Mills at Inamed told me several years ago that the band can CURE reflux in those who suffer from it pre-op and CAUSE reflux in those who had never had it.

What are GS Cookies?

They are the work of Satan, Suz. Sold door to door and at super market entrances by innocent looking little girls in green uniforms. You've never seen them? *grins*