Band emptied - starting to gain......yikes

[hockeymother 178]

Hi everyone, I've been having problems for quite a few months with my band. I've been having serious acid reflux and heartburn issues so I finally had all the Fluid removed from the band. It took a few months to have any kind of effect as I was still having a hard time eating and still having acid reflux. My Dr. said everything was fine with placement of the band and that I am getting acid reflux because I didn't have enough substantial food in my stomach for the acid to do its job. He advised me to start eating more and eating more valuable food. (I'd begun to rely on sliders) Well, finally in the last month or so I've been able to eat ALOT more than I used to, but I'm still having acid reflux issues and almost daily heartburn problems. I drink Glaviscon every night before I go to bed so I won't have sudden eruption in my sleep. But I'm gaining weight. What I'm wondering is should a try to get another fill?

[2muchfun 8,928]

Did you have reflux before being banded?

[hockeymother 178]

No I didn't. This only started about 10 months after being banded. But it caused a lot of problems for me. I wonder if it will stop if get a new fill?

[2muchfun 8,928]

Just my opinion. No it won't. Seems like most of the folks who complain of reflux have tighter bands. Crap, hate to hear stories like yours. Hope you get it straightened out? Does your doctor think it will go away with a fill? I guess that would be the next step and if that doesn't work empty the band or remove it altogether?

[Bandista 7,466]

Could you have developed gluten intolerance? My husband had terrible reflux issues, esophageal stretches to ameliorate scarring, etc. Went I diagnosed for a long time then eliminated wheat for a week and bingo, that was it. He can't have a crumb without issues -- and it's an epidemic at this point. A lot of theories flying around about why people are suddenly having celiac and other reactions but it's worth cutting out wheat, etc. Anyway since those are empty calories for the most part.

People put blocks under the front feet of the bed to have a small angle to help with eliminating nighttime reflux.

Hope you feel better and get this straightened out. If it's not wheat it could be something else.

[hockeymother 178]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna try eliminating the gluten, it's worth a try. The last thing I want is to have the band removed. I think tho, the worse case scenario will be to reposition it. I really think this is the issue. I am going for a barium swallow just make sure about the positioning. I'll keep you posted.

[2muchfun 8,928]

One of the band forum members was having reflux and esophageal problems. Turned out that her surgeon placed the band around her esophagus and not her stomach. You might IM her? Bandarella She seems to know a lot about this subject!

[hockeymother 178]

That's awesome info. Thank you.

[BritG 0]

I have the same thing going on for me! Never ever had any sort of GI or GERD issues until just recently in the passed month. ... I have had the band for over 2 years... it almost seems to self tighten for me.... idk what's going on but I'm so discouraged

[stanpry 66]

Did your Doctor try Nexium or other PPI meds. Have always had a problem with gastric reflux. I take Pantoprozole once a day and have no problems with Gastric reflux.

[BritG 0]

He told me to take 2 prilosec a day but that doesn't help... I take so much OTC stuff now I could probably OD lol

[hockeymother 178]

Can you believe I've basically healed myself! I went back to eating as if I just had surgery. Soups and liquids for a few days, then mushies, then solids but this time I'm really chewing and watching what I eat. My heartburn has all but completely disappeared. And I've lost weight again. Lesson learned. It's amazing that even after over a year my old eating and chewing habits can creep back into my life.