Long term reflux?

[seppi 0]

:help: What happens to your body if you suffer long term reflux? The last time I had a fill I told the doctor that the nexium was working but if I forget to take 1 dose I am in trouble. He said that he would not allow me to get another fill unless the reflux resolves itself. I have a small fill right now, some restriction but not where I want to be. One of the things that is weird is that some days everything is fine and then others liquids other that clear are a problem. He said that if the reflux doesn't resolve he wants me to have an endoscopy (another) in 3 months and if that is the same he said the band would probably have to come out. So... my question is, how do I get rid of the reflux. I really don't want to lose my band.

[Carlene 12]

Long-term reflux can be an indication of being too tight, or a slip, or dilation of the esophagus. You might try getting a slight unfill. Otherwise, you probably can't "resolve" the reflux - only manage it. Take your meds, elevate the head of your bed, and don't eat for at least 3 hours before bedtime.

My band is tight and I take Nexium also, and follow the other reflux "rules". If I eat so much as ONE cookie just before bedtime, I will reflux during the night. I have had saline removed twice and may have more taken out in the near future.

I have had aspiration pneumonia from reflux/being too tight and you don't want to experience that. I ended up in the hospital and had to have a major unfill. Worse still, it can actually be life-threatening.

Good Luck!

[S@ssen@ch 745]

In addition to the things Charlene mentioned, you could get esophagitis (an inflammation or irritation of the esophagus) or worse yet, esophageal erosion from the constant acidic exposure. The esophagus is not meant to be exposed to the acid of the stomach on a long term basis.

The hints that Charlene gave are also helpful. I would also recommend drinking a glass of Water before bedtime, to help "flush out" the pouch so to speak. Aloe vera juice has been recommended to me, for my reflux problems as that nightly drink but I don't really like the taste.

Even though you aren't where you want to be, whether it's weight-wise or restriction-wise this is not something you'd want to risk your esophagus over. The risks of being too tight far outweigh the downside of losing slower or having your restriction lesser IMHO.

[ralheit 0]

I guess I'm pretty lucky. Since banding I have not had any more problems with reflux. I stopped taken my meds a couple of months ago. I know how bad relux can be. Follow what you doctor says and have the endoscopy.

[Alexandra 55]

Seppi, if I were told that (and I was, about several months ago) I opted for a complete unfill. As soon as the fill came out the reflux stopped, and it has never returned. Last week, finally, I went in for another fluoro and was given a tiny fill of .8 ccs. No reflux (knock on wood!!)

The choice between having a band and NOT having a band is easy to make, for me. I want my band. So I didn't hesitate a second when thinking about an unfill. Get that fill out, heal, let it all resolve. As long as you have your band you'll always be able to get another fill.

Good luck!!

[seppi 0]

I was un-filled for 5 months. The reflux was still there. The endo Dr. said it was OK to get a fill. The doctors office wanted me on the meds for 3 months to see how they worked. They have been for the most part. I have had to change the way I drink coffee, no food before bed... The endo doctor said that my esophagus was irritated at the time of the endoscopy. I have been following all of the instructions. My fill is a fraction of what I had before either .1cc or .4cc, it couldn't take anymore because nothing would go down although I wasn't tight.

[DonnaB 3]

I am at the end of 2 months on Nexium for an irritated esophogus. Here's the question I have, if Nexium controls the irritation, why not just stay on it? I mean, people who don't have gastric bands stay on Nexium long term to control their reflux, why not bandsters?

I'm concerned after reading this thread that if, after my fill on Tuesday, my esophogeal irritation returns, I will have to be unfilled again. How can my band work if I can't keep a fill? Now I'm starting to worry that the band won't work for me because I can't use it properly. $10,600 is an awful lot to pay for my 42 pound weight loss. Hmmmmm.

I guess I shouldn't worry about something has has yet to happen. Maybe I won't have any problem at all. But then again . . .

[NaNa 878]

Seppi,

From my understading REFLUX/REGURGITATION is a problem that many long term bandsters have "IF" they keep a too tight band too long.

I think once DAMAGE is done to the espahagus after a band has been too tight for so long it will be hard to get rid of the reflux issues even if the band is emptied or if is saline reduced after that point.

It will probably take months or even a year or so to heal the damaged esaphagus from a too tight band and be able to fully benefit from a properly restricted band again even with medication such as nexium, protonix or prevacid.

I use to suffer from reflux/GERD BEFORE, I got my band and I refuse to maintain a too tight fill to CAUSE reflux issues again. I keep my band tight enough only to provide satiety, (getting full quick) to keep my portions tiny. I NEVER KEEP a fill too tight to eat meat (proteins). Plus if my band is too tight to eat solids, my weight loss will slow down, I cannot lose quickly eating Soup, and soft mushy foods, which are typically carbs.

Also MORE importantly, if YOU CANNOT EAT SOLIDS comfortably within 2-3 weeks after a tight fill and you start experiencing pain, heartburn/reflux and regurgitation, it is WISE to reduce saline, so many get into trouble with this and sadly lose their bands for keeping a too tight fill too long.

IMO, as long as you can eat small amounts of Proteins without heartburn you are ok, personally if I get full on a couple of bites of Proteins and veggies with NO PAIN OR HEARTBURN, I will keep my fill.

Heartburn is ALWAYS a warning, sometimes you may experience a brief bout of hearburn after a recent fill, IMO, and that is OK, until you relearn to eat on that tight fill, but if it persist I would reduce a small amount of saline, some folks will IGNORE this, and just deal with it and take nexium or other medication to mask the REAL problem of a too tight fill too long. It is always better to reduce a small amount of saline if you find you are too tight rather than keeping it too long and eventually having to have your band completely emptied or damaged espahagus.

Plus daily exercise of brisk walking 30 minutes or (or some form of exercise) more per day, will keep your weight loss moving.

This is my tip for today!

[seppi 0]

I was too tight in February, that's why I had the un fill;l. Thats when the reflux began. I guess that the too tight fill irritated everything. Maybe staying on the meds and going easy will help resolve? Maybe I am being impatient expecting it to be better so soon.

[Alexandra 55]

Oh, Seppi, I didn't realize you'd already tried the unfill route. Wish I had more ideas for you--I sure hope it heals up!!

[gonnabethin 10]

so what happens if you have relux prior to the banding. They dont limit you when you dont have a band. It could be the same mechanism?

That doesnt make sense to me (newbie). I refluxed the barium at my UGI- they had it on viedo. That is not preventing me from getting a band so why would they unfill the band?

[NeenBand 7]

I'm sort of , in the same boat. I had reflux before banding, and after a fill, it's worse, even on Protonix. I'm wondering if I should switch to the Nexium?

I don't want to lose the band, but I am worried about the long term reflux damage if we can't get this under control.

[garlandmom 0]

I am normally a lurker, don't know that I have ever posted; however, this thread caught my eye, as I have been in your same situation.

Basically I have had ongoing reflux and feeling like I had a knot in my chest for many months. I've taken just about every PPI out there (Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, etc.), as well as some other meds (Reglan) and nothing really helps. I've had an EGD, several barium swallows, gone to a GI specialist etc, trying to avoid band removal; however, my doctor says at this point, my only option is to remove the band. It's putting too much pressure on my esophagus and there's no other solution at this point. My band will be coming out in the next 4-6 weeks.

He was very straight forward in warning me that reflux and esophageal dysmotility can have some bad results if it goes on too long, and that sometimes the "cure" for weight loss (the band) is actually worse than a few extra pounds.

At this point, I have lost 90 lbs and am at goal. I am scared too death of gaining the weight back, but am going to fight like heck.

Garland Mom

Banded - April 2005

Lost - 90 lbs - @ goal

[gonnabethin 10]

Did you have reflux prior to surgery?

What happens if they take the band out and you still have reflux?

[garlandmom 0]

Never had any reflux or esophagus problems before getting the band. Both lapband surgeon and GI specialist think this is direct result of pressure caused by the band on the esophagus. Some people's anatomy just can't handle that extra pressure. They say it could take 2-3 months months to heal after band is removed, but fully expect everything to go back to normal.