I had a barium swallow test today, under fluoro. The good news is, my band is perfect - no slip, no erosion, etc.

The bad news is, my esophagus is not. It is dilated "all the way up", to quote my doctor.

I was prepared for the worst because I can't eat a lot, so I didn't think it was esophageal dilation. But I have a very tempermental band. Say the wrong thing to me at dinner and it closes up like a virgin on prom night. The net results of that happening a lot would be esophageal dilation, of course.

Dr S took out most of my fill and made me swear to eat only liquids and mushies for the next 3 weeks (almost 3 weeks - May 7th). Then we check it again.

I was banded 11/29/04 and this did not become an issue until a few months ago. My symptoms were on again/off again PBs and some reflux. But some days I could eat "normal" stuff - even ribs, chicken, etc. When the reflux became more frequent and I began to experience an irritated esophagus, I decided to have it checked out.

This is probably an issue that will resolve itself. At least I hope so. But 3 weeks on liquids/mushies is gonna be TOUGH. Everyone, please send me good vibes and words of encouragement.

Carlene,

Wonderful news that your band is okay. So sorry to hear about your esophagus. Just try to keep your mind off of it and stay busy and I'm sure that time will fly by. Your almost there and I hope you get a great report back. You will probably shed some more pounds on the mushies too. Good luck.

Carlene,

Wonderful news that your band is okay. So sorry to hear about your esophagus. Just try to keep your mind off of it and stay busy and I'm sure that time will fly by. Your almost there and I hope you get a great report back. You will probably shed some more pounds on the mushies too. Good luck.

Thanks. Sadly, however, I have GAINED on the mushies. I can hardly wait to be re-filled. Good thing saline isn't an illegal drug.....I would be standing on a street corner come next week, trying to score.

Carlene,

I am pretty new to posting but not to the band. I have had mine for four years and have only lost 35 pounds. I also went to my doctor recently (4-23) and was told that I have esophogeal dilation. Okay that really freaked me out because the doctor that I started seeing is realitively new to lap bands and he said it is possilble that I will have to get mine off and have a bypass. This makes me real nervous as well. He took all the Fluid out and i go back on the 23rd of this month. He did not tell me to eat mushies, or liquids but since I have been reading I started. I have actually started gaining weight since I am not full on liquids and I drink more. I guess I need support to keep me going as we all do at times. I want you to know that you have been an encouragement to me as well as several others since I started reading the posts. I did notice that there are a lot of people that have had their bands removed. I wonder how many went on to have a bypass.

Also, does anyone know about Dr. Provost in Dallas, Dr. Suits in Longview, or Dr. Babineau in Tyler? I need advice.

thanks so much,

sherrie :help:

was prepared for the worst because I can't eat a lot, so I didn't think it was esophageal dilation. But I have a very tempermental band. Say the wrong thing to me at dinner and it closes up like a virgin on prom night. The net results of that happening a lot would be esophageal dilation, of course. YES CARLENE I CAN RELATE TO THAT ABOVE, GOOD COMPARISON THOUGH YOU HAVE BEEN BANDED A WHILE AND WAS WONDERING IF THIS WAS YOUR FIRST REAL PROBLEM SINCE BEING BANDED AND WOULD LIKE UPDATES ON YOUR PROGRESS SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE AND I APPRIECIATE YOU SHARING IT WITH US THANKS IN ADVANCED!!!!! BEST OF LUCK

Thanks for the info. I am waiting on a call from Dr. Provost office for a second opinion. which I no longer know if it is going to matter. I called my insurance yesterday and they said they do not cover gastric bypass or the removal of my band. I don't know what to do and am quiet concerned. I have been reading how esopheal dilation can turn into cancer and I sure don't want that ugly beast. I started on liquids and am doing okay with that. I actually have several things to consider here. I have PKD and my kidneys are functioning at 37% currently (down 10% in 6 months). when I reach 10% or there abouts I will have to have diaylsis. I also know that being overweight while on dialysis is hard on your overall health. And in the event I am fortunate enough to get a transplant that will put additional weight on me (most probably) which will again be harder on my kidneys and over all health. At this time I feel that it is SO important to get the weight off to avert more possible problems. But now I don't know how I can get anything done. Of course it would be better to get it done sooner than later since my kidneys are where they are right now. so I guess support and contact from the band world will help me through.

Frustrated but not giving up,

browneyes185, AKA, Sherrie

Good news....my esophagus is back to normal and I am the proud "owner" of 1.25 cc of saline in my band. I go back in a month for another fill. They make you fill back up slowly when you are coming off a dilation.

I was limited to liquids today but tomorrow I will have a good idea of how much restriction I have. I'm thinking not much.

Now for the bad news....I gained 8 pounds while I was unfilled and on mushies (almost 3 weeks). What a bummer! So tomorrow I am going gym shopping. Since Christmas I have gained a total of 18 pounds and I am not a happy Bandster. I am also a near naked Bandster, since I cannot wear most of my clothes.

It's always something, isn't it?

Carlene,

Great news! I hope everything continues to work out for you. How long have you been unfilled?

sherrie

Carlene,

Great news! I hope everything continues to work out for you. How long have you been unfilled?

sherrie

I was unfilled for almost 3 weeks and now have just 1.25 cc in my band, whereas before I was accustomed to having more than twice that.

Carlene,

I don't know if they have them in your area, but I just recently signed up for LA fitness... there's a startup fee and they want you to pay first and last month, but there's no contract, which is important to me because I'm moving in 8 months and all of the contracts are a year... anyway, for me it's about $30 a month, which was my whole point, because that's pretty cheap (at least out here)...

I'm glad that you are doing better, Carlene!

Carlene, I am sorry to hear about all your troubles. It really makes me want to stay at my current level of saline and not rush into fills. Having the band is such a learning experience. Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us newbies.

I hope with exercise you can drop back down to where you want to be.

There is an LA Fitness very near me, but it's a tiny place - not many options, etc. I am looking at Lifetime - farther away but wow....it's a country club without the golf course. I love the pools (2 indoor, 1 outdoor), sauna, whirlpool, etc. I want to do more than just sweat!