: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.

Garland Mom,

YES! I had reflux/GERD really bad, this was the REASON I got banded to cure it and it has:) .

Reflux is very common in obese folks, but as we lose weight the reflux will cure itself most of the time as long as we stay away from reflux triggers like coffee, chocolate, mint, spicy foods.

REFLUX AFTER BANDING, is a different story and very dangerous, and is usually caused by too tight fills too long. This all can be avoided by staying pro active on our band health and not abusing our bands. We all want to keep a tight fill, but, WE NEVER WANT OUR BANDS to COMPLETELY STOP us from eating, the band is not designed to be used this way, and if we keep our fills so tight to only allow soft liquids and mushy foods this is where the reflux problems usually arise and get folks in trouble.

Fear not this CAN be avoided by not asking your doc for extremely tight fills. Remember there are many committments to weight loss after we get our bands we agree to eat small solid healthy meals and exercise (we should see a positive weight loss), if we do this will not want to be tempted by too tight fills.

I understand the concept of too tight fills. I never was too tight, even when I had 2.0 cc's in my band I could eat pretty much anything I tried to eat - never pb'd, slimed, or any of that stuff. Apparently I am just one of the unlucky ones whose body just can't handle the extra pressure on the esophagus. I have been unfilled since October of last year, and still have all the symptoms.

My case is unusual according to my doctor, I'm in the 2% category, or whatever it is that have complications that require removal.

I have followed the rules, eaten small meals, not gotten too tight, and done everything I have been advised; however, my anatomy just can't handle it.... it's frustrating, but I just have to move forward!

garlandmom your situation is definitely similar to mine. I didn't have reflux prior to banding, not even when I was pregnant (a lot of friends had pregnancy reflux)this whole situation is starting to worry me. The nexium is working but like I said in my original post, if I forget or eat something weird, there it is there, full force. I really don't get the burning bad but the pain in my chest is terrible.I really don't want to lose the band I am not done yet.

I feel for ya.... my only advice is don't ignore it. Work closely with your doctor and follow his advice. I figure when my band surgeon, as well as a GI specialist tells me it's got to come out, then they probably know what they are talking about. I have dealt with and worried about this for almost a year now and have come to the realization that there just isn't anything else I can do. Hopefully though, you will get better and won't have to face removal. Hang in there!

I am trying to follow everything the doctor says, I will have the endoscopy again the end of October.Maybe all will resolve by then, not too optimistic though, I would love to get another fill, I have the reflux with or without the fill but I guess that wouldn't be too smart (not that the Dr would allow it) my esophagus was irritated and he called it esophagatis (sorry about the spelling) I thought that the nexium was suppose to heal but I guess it isn't healing yet. I thought when I made it through the gallbladder removal I was home free. My first 6 months were a breeze.

Garland Mom...

Will you revise to another type of surgery?

Everyone Else...

Some people are just more sensitive to fills (and the pressure they place on the esophagus) than others, per my (banded) surgeon. Therefore, a tiny fill can be "too tight" in that respect, but still not provide restriction. It's okay to rely on meds to control the reflux, as long as you have had everything checked and your stoma is a reasonable diameter. That's what determines a too-tight band - the size of the stoma. Your stoma should be about the size of a number two pencil.

No revisions in my future. I was cash pay for the lapband, and have wls exclusion on my insurance. I'll be back to the battle we've all had... however, my doctor is sending me to a nutritionist, and I am going to continue my daily exercise, and see how it goes. I'm not looking forward to it, but hopefully since I will be trying to maintain, and not have that huge mountain in front of me (of losing 90 lbs) it might not be quite as bad. But I am not kidding myself, it's gonna be a battle.

Seppi - hang in there - sounds like you are going down the right path!

Hey Seppi, I'm in the same boat. Even this small fill is giving my esophagus a problem, and giving me reflux. I had reflux before banding and getting my gallbladder out helped a lot, but not completely.

I also have the same doctor as you, so we really are in the same boat!

Leener- I guess we are in the same boat. I would like very much to get off this ride. Any suggestions? How are you feeling? Are you losing? Have they ( the doctors) given you any guidance? I would love to get another fill, especially if I am going to have the reflux anyway. Is it possible it will just go away? I know that the doctor won't let me because he said it isn't good.

REFLUX AFTER BANDING, is a different story and very dangerous, and is usually caused by too tight fills too long. This all can be avoided by staying pro active on our band health and not abusing our bands. We all want to keep a tight fill, but, WE NEVER WANT OUR BANDS to COMPLETELY STOP us from eating, the band is not designed to be used this way, and if we keep our fills so tight to only allow soft liquids and mushy foods this is where the reflux problems usually arise and get folks in trouble.

Fear not this CAN be avoided by not asking your doc for extremely tight fills. Remember there are many committments to weight loss after we get our bands we agree to eat small solid healthy meals and exercise (we should see a positive weight loss), if we do this will not want to be tempted by too tight fills.

I'm concerned about this statement. It sounds as though someone has told you that band-related GERD can be prevented by avoiding "too tight" fills. That just isn't so. (Unless there is some recently published study I need to read.)

MY band was NEVER tight and I got GERD anyway. My surgeons would not have given me a tight fill if I had asked for one...which I didn't. I never had a fill that kept me from eating. My GERD continued whether I had 0.4 cc's of saline, or 0.8 cc's of saline or none. (I never, in three years, had more than 1.5 cc's.)

This article explains that the band can mess up the esophageal functioning

which in turn can cause GERD:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=16027327

I'm concerned because when I read your post, I get the message that if we are all careful and conservative (which is the responsibility of the surgeon btw) everything will be just fine...which also might lead a reader to think that anyone who has the problem got it from not being cautious and conservative. Real life--including life after banding--just isn't that simple.

Thanks Sue.... I've read your posts on this and other boards, and sounds like I'm in the same boat you were with your band. My esophagus just isn't working right, and nothing I do, or don't do, is going to change that except taking the band out. In one of my earlier posts in this thread I said I've never had a tight fill, no pb'ing, sliming, etc. My anatomy just isn't adapting well to the band. No option at this point except to take it out. (I think you are a hoot by the way.... I love your honesty and tell it like it is attitude)

GarlandMom

Surgery - April 4005

Lost 90 lbs - @ Goal

I've never had reflux. After I was filled to 1.2 cc for a few months, it just occurred overnight. I am not too tight and can eat solids just fine.

Like previous posters have stated. I keep my head elevated at night. Plus, not eating a few hours before bed works! If I eat, then I elevate.

I do believe that being too tight can have an effect. However, not always.

Shawn

Hi Seppi,

I have no answers for you. The office is a busy one (too busy if you ask me) and so I'm just not sure what, when or how to tell you the truth.

I am very concerned with what Geezersue speaks of and the article. The dismobility. I would love to get this problem solved and fixed, AND keep my band, because the band is and will work for me if my throat will cooperate.

Does your throat feel odd when your sleeping or when you wake up?? People have also noticed that I am constantly clearing my throat.

I clear mt throat all the time. I seem to produce a lot of mucus. If I pb it is usually mucus and then everything is fine. I also seem to get clogged ears a lot I don't know if it is connected but it seems to be. That or I am going nuts. Which is entirely possible.I agree that the office is too busy. It is next too impossible to get answers. If you can get Nino on the phone he is usually pretty good and actually calls back when he says that he will. I am still losing but I don't know for how long because the Dr. will not allow another fill unless the reflux is resolved. I go for another egd in late Oct. or early Nov. I just had to renew my nexium, if I forget it I am in trouble. Hope it works out for you. Let me know if you come up with any solutions.

I seem to produce a lot of mucus too. I have never PB'd, just get mucusy and the weird throat stuff.

I'm not sleeping well due to this and my throat feels weird while sleeping and waking up in the morning. I've been on Protonix for a month now though. Did Dr. Abkin prescribe the Nexium or did you go to the gastro?

Yea, Nino is good, but I hardly get him. Quite often I'm put on hold and after 5 minutes I call back and they don't even remember they had me on hold...they just forgot about me. This happens to me almost every time I've called.