Reflux Poll

[Tova 0]

Good luck to you - I hope everything goes as planned.

I too am waiting anxiously for a refill which is dependent on the upper GI that I take next Monday.

[Band_Groupie 3]

I had my first partial unfill. Three weeks ago I had a minor stuck and minor PB...that night I had my first problem with reflux during the night (woke up and had to spew the acid out of my esophagus) the next day I had gradually worsening pain and tightness...it was the weekend so I called first thing Monday...the nurse told me to give it another day and I was fine (mistake made here...as I keep saying here NIGHTIME REFLUX = GET A SMALL UNFILL, yes I knew it and should have insisted, but by Monday I was fine). Fast forward 3 weeks of no problems at all and after eating the same oatmeal I have every day and having it go down just fine it's 30 min. later and I start having crushing chest pain so bad that it makes me nauseous and I vomit a little, which gets me tighter...again it's the weekend so they don't get me in until Tuesday by which time I can't eat. Doc takes out 2cc's of my 5.9cc's and I get sent for a UGI...the barium, even after the unfill won't budge...the thicker stuff finally goes through a tiny bit. No slip, nothing enlarged so now I've got 8 weeks before I can start filling again. I don't want to get back to the point where the reflux becomes a problem again and if I have any nightime problems I'll be in for an unfill that day.

What I've learned here is (yes, please call your Dr. to get clarification of your problems...I'm no Dr.) that many (not all) with reflux before the band are cured of the reflux after (and many with hernia repairs at banding). Reflux is the most common side effect of banding (so many of us with no reflux before now have it) and if it's very mild and is controlled by a PPI, then it's not an issue. If you have ANY breakthrough reflux during the day or ANY signs of reflux at night you need a small unfill (and some need to be checked for hernias as well). I also find that some don't know ALL the signs of reflux so here they are again:

- Burning- the usual suspect

- Globus sensation- some only get this with no burning which is a feeling of a lump in the throat

- Coughing at night- usually a dry cough (you can aspirate acid into your lungs

- Gurgling- Acid feels like it's bubbling up your esophagus

- Choking- the above makes some wake up feeling like they're choking

- Belching/Burping- up acid at night

- Nose- Sometimes people wake up with acid/liquids coming out the nose

- Need to spit or vomit at night- Usually bringing up acid or even food, for some this even happens when they're sleeping

Here's the bottom line...we got the Band to get our health back, not to trade one health issue for another...uncontrolled reflux can lead to way more serious problems than losing your Band so don't let it go on.

OK, off my soapbox, and I'll be back if there are any more reflux issues!

Edited June 30, 2010 by Band_Groupie

[hairagain 0]

Well, so far so good. I had fill out for a number of weeks. Had about 3cc last time. Today had 1.8 put in and am on liquids today. No reflux yet. Have found a few of my problems were of my own fault. I can NOT eat at night before bed time. Need to be done eating about 2 hrs at least before bed. I take a about a half glass of Water before bed. It seems to rinse my esophegus. Helps me. I hope I can get more fill if a few weeks. In fact I have and appointment on the 20th. Will keep you posted.

I had tests to determine if all is okay with my stomach and band and it is ok. Thankfully.

[Davyna 0]

I had reflux before my surgery three years ago. Being banded made it go away. However recently it has returned. Had to get completely unfilled, start Pepcid AC, wait a month and hope it goes away. Guess we'll see what happens.

[Eficka 0]

I also find that some don't know ALL the signs of reflux so here they are again:

- Burning- the usual suspect

- Globus sensation- some only get this with no burning which is a feeling of a lump in the throat

- Coughing at night- usually a dry cough (you can aspirate acid into your lungs

- Gurgling- Acid feels like it's bubbling up your esophagus

- Choking- the above makes some wake up feeling like they're choking

- Belching/Burping- up acid at night

- Nose- Sometimes people wake up with acid/liquids coming out the nose

- Need to spit or vomit at night- Usually bringing up acid or even food, for some this even happens when they're sleeping

Here's the bottom line...we got the Band to get our health back, not to trade one health issue for another...uncontrolled reflux can lead to way more serious problems than losing your Band so don't let it go on.

OK, off my soapbox, and I'll be back if there are any more reflux issues!

I've had reflux in a row for more than two months, waking up with acid in my nose and/or lungs... now Im geting my band removed. three years ago I was promoting the band and telling everyone that it was the best decission in my life...now after five years I cant wait to get it out and I wouldn't recommend the band to anyone!!! we arent fat because we have big stomachs and are always hungry....but because we eat cause we are sad, lonely....you name it...

[Band_Groupie 3]

I've had reflux in a row for more than two months, waking up with acid in my nose and/or lungs... now Im geting my band removed. three years ago I was promoting the band and telling everyone that it was the best decission in my life...now after five years I cant wait to get it out and I wouldn't recommend the band to anyone!!! we arent fat because we have big stomachs and are always hungry....but because we eat cause we are sad, lonely....you name it...

I'm wondering if they tried a partial/full unfill to relieve the reflux (mine went away immediately). I'm sorry you have had a bad experience with your Band and I'm glad for you that you've made the right decision for you.

One thing...I was fat because I had a stretched out stomach, ate huge portions, or was always starving on a diet. The Band solved that issue for me and allowed me to lose all the weight and keep it off...it was just the tool I needed.

Best wishes! -BG

Edited August 15, 2010 by Band_Groupie

[Eficka 0]

Hi,

my band wasnt filled. They put 1cc in my 10cc band 6months after the surgery but immediatelly fodd got stuck and I had to be hospitalized...

yes sure band helps with stredched stomach, but Im hoping that my stomach will shrink if I dont eat too much, cause its a muscle...

Im having my surgery on Tuesday. Of course I have mixed feelings, Im afraid of eating after the band is removed, but I have to take again the responsibility for my health and eating...I hope I can do that :-)

[Band_Groupie 3]

Hi,

my band wasnt filled. They put 1cc in my 10cc band 6months after the surgery but immediatelly fodd got stuck and I had to be hospitalized...

yes sure band helps with stredched stomach, but Im hoping that my stomach will shrink if I dont eat too much, cause its a muscle...

Im having my surgery on Tuesday. Of course I have mixed feelings, Im afraid of eating after the band is removed, but I have to take again the responsibility for my health and eating...I hope I can do that :-)

Just thinking of you and hoping you're doing well recovering from the surgery. I'm sure the recovery will be a little easier this time without all the other worries about restriction/Band.

Feel better soon and best wishes! -BG

[LisaA 1]

I'm not banded yet, but my Dr. is Dr Ortiz. He has several webnairs on his web site for the Obesity Control Center. One I just watched said that if there is this type of problem with reflux etc that you should get it taken care of or you can cause a stretched pouch, so the sooner the better. The web videos are worth a look, I believe they are also on youtube.

Lisa

[xavier 153]

Banded more than a year and at the same time had diaphragmatic hernia repair (often related to reflux). I had bad reflux on and off for years and never had one incident of it even when eating bad foods since my band! Also losing weight takes pressure off that are and can reduce reflux.

Who ever said reflux is not to be taken lightly was RIGHT! Reflux irritates the cells of your lower esophagus and can nag them into malignant transformation...cancer!