I have been banded for 4 years, lost 80 pounds went from 220 to about 138. Recently, I have noticed that I can eat much more and a little heartburn at night. I even gained 20 pounds. Went to Dr and found that I have a dilation. All Fluid was taken out for 3 weeks and now we are gradually putting fluid back in. Having trouble with restriction and yet afraid to get tight or otherwise I will get dilated again. Has anyone experienced this nightmare and does the restriction ever come back or the band ever perform as it once was?

HELP!!

KP

We see this a lot here. So many banders had their bands so tight they caused a dilation and sometimes slips. The extra tight band does keep you from being hungry but the side effects can be miserable.

My advice would be to look for satiety signals such as hiccups, runny nose, burps etc. It's not wise to keep the band too tight and hopefully your surgeon understands this?

Being able to eat larger portions than the band generally permits is my first sign the pouch has dilated - stretched...it is still the stomach and still has the same characteristics the stomach has of stretching and contracting depending upon the volume consumed.

I'll be going along just fine then realize I just ate more than I usually do/can....some people will say their bands got looser...which is a misnomer...but describes the same thing.

As general maintenance, having finished my weight loss.....l'll go all liquids for 2-3 days, about every 4-7 weeks....keeps my band tight (misnomer) actually gives my pouch a chance to return to normal after constant eating and drinking....

A Dr. will empty your band, as yours did, to accomplish the same thing.....give it a chance to re-set itself...

You may have heard the Term "5 Day Pouch Test" which the title is illogical....but it is someones clever way of giving the pouch/band a rest, and allowing any stretching to return to normal...

I have seen x-rays of dilated pouches....where they "mushroom" up and over the band....it is enough to make anyone go liquids from time to time....

My Dr. wishes he can get all his patients, who have finished with their weight loss, to follow this simple practice...to avoid getting totally un-filled....

I'm going through the exact same thing right now as well. I gained 6 pounds in the process and have been feeling down about it. I realized how badly I need my band! I got one fill but I still don't feel any different so I'm looking forward to my next one tomorrow. Looks like we have the same doctor too. Take care!

Thank you all for your replies, do you know if you ever feel the same after dilation, does it actually ever get back to normal??

I am so glad we have folks on here there have been there done that!!! Always keeps me on my toes...thanks TMF and B-52 (might try that liquids for a few days every now and then too)!!!

krp and kaatns will be keeping you both in my thoughts!!!

Thank you all for your replies, do you know if you ever feel the same after dilation, does it actually ever get back to normal??

Yes...certainly given time and rest.

But more importantly, as TMF said, we all need to ask ourselves why this happened in the first place....are we ignoring the signals as to when to stop? Slow down?

I know in my case, no matter how slow, carefully, or what foods I eat....I cannot drink with my meals. But the signals not to do so are clearly there for me and to ignore them, will have negative results.

Some people can drink with no problem....so all must find what is true for them.

There is a learning curve, and unfortunately I learned the hard way in many instances, but learn I did.

But I still do stupid things....usually out of complacency.

Edited May 6, 201412 yr by B-52

One more question, what about heartburn? For about 4 years no struggle with heartburn. Dilation, emptied for 3 weeks, one fill (no restriction) 2nd fill some restriction but also small amount of heart burn at night, worried about that since I really am not "TIGHT" as before and heart burn is not good?? ANY advice???

TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR, SWEETIE...HEARTBURN IS NOT GOOD!!

Reading this made me realize I might have had the same experience, but no pain or heartburn. I took a long "pause" as I call it and wasn't really sticking to my plan most of the winter. I did well during the holidays because I was seeing relatives and wanted to look great, but after the first of the year began eating what I wanted. Not in huge amounts but noticed I could eat a lot more of some things...bad things. I put on 12 lbs and then panic set in. My new clothes were tight! I'm happy to say that instinct set in and I went back to what I know works, like B-52 said and now I feel restriction again. Going back to basics worked and the weight I gained is off and boy do I feel good!

I hope you feel better soon! Heartburn is not fun. I have a citrus acid sensitivity and it burns my esophagus. It is very uncomfortable. Hurts clear down to my diaphragm area, ugh! I really have to watch it, because citrus acid is in so many things!

Edited May 6, 201412 yr by Multifacet