I have been banded in February 2007. I have lost 80 lbs another 20 to go.

However, I am having a lot of difficulty keeping any food down. My doctor tells me that my band shifted and I might need surgery again. I have terribel heartburn and reflux. Any ideas out there? Please let me know.

Hi Rosalinda

I'm sorry you are having complications with the band. You have done really well with your weight loss. Try searching the complications forum, you might find more information there. You could also post your thread over there too. Here's the link Lap-Band Complications - Lap Band Talk Forum - The largest forum for Lap Band Surgery Discussion and Lap Band Surgery Support

Good luck and I hope things are straightened out soon.

I had lots of heartburn and vomiting a couple of weeks ago. They said my band had slipped a little; however, he didn't think it was enough to do more surgery. They removed some of my fill and I'm much better now. Did they remove any of your fill?

yes they removed all my fill. I am all open now and still cannot eat or drink. As soon as I do eat or drink I get pain in my back and I feel so full like I have to throw up. I am trying to not throw up but it is not easy. In the meantime I am not eating and am losing and losing more weight. This week I must have lost 4 lbs.

Rosa, it sounds like a slip. I would go in for a complete unfill asap. Your band may move back to position. Good luck.

Rosa, it sounds like a slip. I would go in for a complete unfill asap. Your band may move back to position. Good luck.

Rosalinda wrote above you: yes they removed all my fill. I am all open now and still cannot eat or drink.

Rosalinda, I'm sorry you are having problems! I know sometimes folks are able to get it to go back into place with a complete unfill and going on a liquid only diet for a prolonged period of time. But often it seems another surgery is required. :scared:

Yes My doctor removed all my fill and the heartburn and reflux are a little better. However I cannot eat. Aren't you supposed to be able to eat if he removed all of my fill?

I dont know how long its been since you were able to keep anything down but be careful. When it happend to me my potassium dropped so low that my heart rate had gone down to 37 and I was very ill. I hope for you that it will go back in place but in my experience I had to have mine replaced. But mine had eroded not slipped . Same symptoms.

i once thought that a slippage is like if you put a metal ring around a pencil and it just slid down but when i was rehospitalized they explained that if you had a slightly filled baloon and you put a ring around it and only one side fell it would like fall and make a kink. thats why , if you have a slippage and are unfilled then you may be kinked. JUST A THEORY!!!

An unfill doesn't always resolve a slip. I had the same situation and my band had slipped far enough where the unfill didn't help. I think my stitches had busted as well. I had to have a 2nd surgery to repair it and they put in extra stitches, so that it hopefully wouldn't happen again. At this point, if I were you, I wouldn't even try to eat solid food. I remember when it happened to me I was on liquids for over 3 weeks. I was very miserable with heartburn and back pain. If the unfill and liquids are unsuccessful, you may need another surgery. But, in my case, after the new surgery, I had great results. I hope things all resolve themselves soon in your case.

My doctor did not tell me to be on liquids only. However, do you think that may help? He told me that the band shifted, however, not too much and it might go back into place. Do you think I should not eat any solids? Please let me know. thank you

Rosalinda,

If I were you, first I would call the Dr. and ask about liquids. My third fill was so tight I threw up every day for over two weeks. I had to stay on liquids for over a week and slowly introduce solids back into my diet. Thank goodness I did not slip, but my point is your stomach may be swollen and irritated. Try protein drinks and chicken broth. Good luck.

JP

Well, you yourself said you couldn't eat. So, sticking to liquids for at least 24-48 hours would help reduce any swelling from Pbs/vomiting. I'm surprised that your doctor didn't recommend this. Did you tell him you were unable to eat? Of course, I am not a doctor and you should follow his instructions over a stranger on a message board, but liquids for a few days can't hurt, so it's worth a try. Even if the slip isn't that bad, it gives your stoma a rest.

I think you should call your doctor and ask to see him. Donna