Reflux: Probably Too Tight

paula · December 21, 2004

Reflux.... Michelle, what does your book say about reflux???

I got a fill 3 weeks ago. I PB'd the 4th day after the fill and have had problems with reflux every since.

Yes, Momma Leatha, I know I need to get some of this fill removed, but the hour long drive to and from the doctor is NOT fitting into the 24 hours in my day.

I've been taking OTC prilosec every night... it helps. But Im still suffering from it. I thought I could just sooth things with the prilosec and in a couple of weeks things would be back to normal... WRONG!

So it looks like I need to get a little bit of this fill removed. I can hear Leatha now, "I told you this 3 weeks ago". :rolleyes

Anybody else have problems with reflux??

La_madam · December 21, 2004

Hi Paula sorry you are experiencing reflux... here is an excerpt for Ortiz's book on reflux

If you are experiencing heartburn or reflux after having the band, surely something is not right. Usually it is either a band too tight or something has swollen the pouch and made it too tight. In any case, this is a serious symptom and should be corrected immediately. Your doctor should deflate the band, if your Dr. does not deflate the band the banded patient will not lose wieght since they will be condemmed to a liquid diet.

Paula as little as .1 or .2 cc's can make a huge difference getting removed, I know you would rather be on the safe side then risk any damge to yourself or your band right? Do call your Dr.!

Iluvharleys · December 21, 2004

Sorry you are going through this Paula, but do get that little bit taken out of your band. You certainly don't want to damage it or yourself.

Newbandster · December 21, 2004

Exacty what are the symptoms for Reflux. I was banded on Nov. 29 and I am just this week starting to feel tightness in my chest and back. It hurts so bad and I'm really not sure why. It just happened all of a sudden. I'm still able to eat soft foods including marinated chicken chew up very very well and I don't really eat that often. I have been eating more baked fish than anything. But this pain is starting to bother me a bit.

paula · December 22, 2004

New Bandster,

MY symptoms of reflux started with food actually coming back up into my throat when I would lay down. It would usually happen when I was falling asleep and relaxing. I would suddenly wake up choking on vomit... kinda graphic - sorry!

FYI - Ive tried several things, including not eating 3 hours before going to bed. Didnt really help. Ive slept with my head elevated, then I get sleep apnea, so that didnt help either.

I realize that for me, it has everything to do with pbing. The reflux only happens when I have a strong pb that day.

Thank Michelle and Betty for your consolation. I was hoping that Marie would give me her input. I remember her having something like this.

La_madam · December 22, 2004

Paula here is anoither excerpt from the book about Reflux and Pbing...after readin your last post, I thought you might find this helpful and interesting.

Reflux symptoms are caused by inflammation of the stomach lining and usually occur after a fill or there has been an episode of food dislodging, Pbing and vomiting, Treatment for this is a self imposed liquid diet. Unfortunately after the banded person has reverted back from the liquid diet and returns to eating solids, most will fall victim to the same eating habits that caused the swelling. They ultimately will need band deflation. Otherwise, at the fill level of the band eating solids will continue to irritate the stomach. If the Dr. does not deflate ut , the banded person is condemmed to a liquid diet on which he or she will not lose weight. So deflation is the safest way to go.

paula · December 22, 2004

Michelle, I agree! Everything he says is exactly what Im going through. I first PB, then the reflux; go on liquids, then to solids, then I PB again, then the reflux....... a vicious cycle.

food is going down well though. Im like alot of folks that think that the only symptoms a bandster has of being filled too tight is when Water can't even go down.... not so!

Thanks for this information!

New Hope · December 22, 2004

Sorry, Paula, I've been out of pocket. Be sure that you don't eat anything for 2 - 3 hours before you lie down. Havng food in your pouch will cause it to "reflux" (back up) in your esophagus. This is NOT good for a bandster and band. Elevate the head of your bed at least 4 inches. This shouldn't affect your apnea. Do not sleep on a stack of pillows. They just bend your stomach and make the problem worse. Seriously, get a slight unfill! Please! Avoid spicy foods. Will your dr. call you in a RX for Nexium or Prevacid? It takes a few days of taking these meds (every day) for them to kick in. Hope you get to feeling better soon!!!