Hi a few weeks ago I mentioned reflux problems. After barium x ray they found that my oesophagus was 4x its original width. I went to see a doc and it has to be empty for 3 months then slowly can be adjusted.

Does the very dilated oesophagus ever recover?????

Thank you

With the band loosened, it should correct itself over time, as you were told. Whether the band will work at well as it had or should have remains to be seen. Don't get upset now, just wait and see how things play out.

I know of only one cause of dilation -- misuse of the band by the user. If this is the case and your band is serviceable once you start adjusting it again, eat the proper foods properly so that you don't ruin the band forever after.

It can also be caused from your band being overly tight and your food staying fully up in the pouch over extended times.

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Thank you for your answers.

Band is empty now until late November than it can be slowly filled up.... I am hoping not to gain too much in the next 4 months

I also had esophageal dilation. I've had my band for about 7 years and hadn't had a fill in about 5 years or so, I knew I was overfilled when I left that day and thought I'd be ok. So 5 years of eating and spitting it back up, not being able to eat like 4 hours before I'd lay down or food would come up and out of my nose. It was horrible, so I learned to adjust by eating soft, good for me...milkshakes and junk that would go thru. Sometimes I could eat almost like a normal person and sometimes I couldn't swallow Water. My husband finally threatened me and Ito see my doc.

Long story short, same thing here...I had stretched my esophagus and it was acting as a pouch for my food, I had an immediate unfill and an upper GI to see if I had damage. No damage and when I saw my doc 3 weeks ago he didn't want to fill me back for a few months to make sure things have healed.

I'm obviously doing well...lol, 2 months post unfill I've gained 8 pounds. So now I'm on a mad diet and exercising like a crazy woman to try to at least maintain my weight and hope to get a refill in 2 months.

On the bright side I think we're both lucky we didn't rupture our esophagus or choke in our sleep!

I'll keep you posted!

I had my x ray in June when it was emptied. Going for another x ray in 2 weeks time..... I will then see the surgeo n in mid Nov. In 4 months i gained 6 pounds too so thats the bright side. The not so bright side is that oesophagus dilation can come back anytime, so i dont know if it ever can be refilled to the same level or any level in fact?