I had my lapband completely drained (removed 3ML) on Friday June 10, 2022 due to esophageal narrowing. The narrowing was causing food and liquids to get stuck. If you've have a lapband, you know that it only takes bending over a toilet to push it out of the esophagus as it never makes it to the stomach to vomit. I liken it to a funnel that gets blocked. It's not painful, just pressure that needs to be relieved. Once it's gone you can continue to eat.

After it was drained I started eating normally straight away and have been having excoriating pain in my esophagus ever since, that feels like a heart attack. It radiates in my chest, back, jaw and bottom teeth. It makes me nauseous as soon it comes - I can feel it start and then gets more and more intense until I vomit. This happens every single day, at least twice a day. I went to the movies today and ate: Corn dog, 3/4 of a small popcorn and a drink. Halfway through the movie I had to leave; there's no getting comfortable, can't sit, can't lay down, I just pace until I vomit and then the pain goes away.

Has anyone experienced this and knows what I'm talking about? Why is the pain worse without any fluid in my band? I have a video call with my doctor next Thursday. Just curious from my fellow banders.

Thank you.

Cindy

Edited June 13, 20224 yr by Cindy B163

When I had my fill completely drained, which was about 2 weeks before my band was removed... I could eat normally again, but I never had pain when I ate.

But I do remember scenarios like you mentioned in the theater. I remember being at restaurants and having to excuse myself and having to go outside and pace, or run to the restroom to vomit. Lap Bands imo, should have never been approved. They're an epic failure, and in most patients cause more harm in the sense of complications than good.

If you're still having pain, I'd ask your surgeon for an EGD. Have you been scoped recently? It seems like a good idea since you're still having pain...

Thank you. Good advice. Once you had your lap band removed did you gain all the weight back? I've had mine for over 10 years. I've been able to keep my weight down to it 25 BMI and I'm worried that I'll gain all the weight back.

58 minutes ago, Cindy B163 said:

Thank you. Good advice. Once you had your lap band removed did you gain all the weight back? I've had mine for over 10 years. I've been able to keep my weight down to it 25 BMI and I'm worried that I'll gain all the weight back.

I've actually lost some weight after my band was removed. Which makes sense, because with my band and GERD, I was depending on slider foods. Now that my band is out, I can eat healthier foods like fruits and veggies that my band couldn't tolerate.

Cindy, I am curious as to what they did for you since you had the band removed. Did they say that would continue on? I have had some of those espisodes myself.