Today I found out I have a "mild displacement" of my band. I also have a hernia of the Esophageal hiatus as well as dilation of the esophagus.:smile:

I have been peeping in and out of LBT but never really participated in any discussions. Now I wish I would have made time to read more post and what to watch for.

I didn't realize being too tight can cause these complications, until I read several posting about slippage tonight.

My current events ~~~~~~~

I have been too tight since Aug, but pushed through the symptoms (gastric reflux and pain w/ certain foods, PB) - I have a lot of toleration for pain. I Slowed down w/ weight loss so in Nov, I had more fill of .2cc - to bring me to 2.3cc in a 5cc band. In Dec had the .2cc removed to see if it would help the reflux. It did midly, but I gained 10lbs over Christmas (bad food choices, even though there were some mild restrictions & but no exercise ) Jan I had .1cc added back and 4 weeks later .1 added again to bring me back to what he orginally gave me in Nov.

I loved it because it restricted me well, but I would have slimming, PB and vomited a couple of times - 4 times in 2 months. I was trying to "tough" it out knowing I would get used to it, but it was difficult to eat and drink. I had a 20lb wt loss in 2 months.

Finally about 3 weeks ago I woke up in the night had coffee ground emesis - it tested positive for blood, & I began taking aciphex that day. All symptoms and problems completely stopped, and 6 days later I saw my suregon who removed the .2cc from my band to see if that would help, but also to schedule a GI swallow.

Well I had my swallow last week, and today was told I have a slippage w/ dilated esophagus & hiatul hernia.

So I have been a little bummed out and really afraid that I will gain some weight back. There is a reason I have this tool, and am not ready to be completly w/ out restriciton, but I have to really try hard to at least maintain and not gain.

I am concerned I may need surgery, but because I have a small band(5cc) it could be a good thing to get a new one, that way there is less chance of the same problems.

I will f/u with a brrium swallow in 2 weeks to see if there is improvement and then we will go from there. He said my pouch is "genrerous" but not bad and the slippage is mild. The dilation of the esophagus is mostlikely due to being over tight and obstruction and he hopes and thinks w/ time it will shrink down as long as I am not too tight.

As for the Hernia there are a couple of options surgery or no surgery, but not all hernias need repair. I have heard from my friend that her father who is a chiropractor reduces these types of hernias, but when I told that to my doctor he gave me that weird look (you know the anti-chiropractor look) but said if I wanted to try he didn't think it would be contraindicated in me just because I am banded.

My surgery was paid for by my prior insurance, but now I have another insuance who is not contracted w/ this doctor, and i have been cash paying for the fills. I am wondering if I do need surgery how they will look at this and if they would approve him removing and replacing the band, or if I would have to go to another doctor. They do have him contracted for other general surgeries, but not for barriatric. They are contracted w/ another barriatric surgeon in town, but he does not do lap band and I choose LB for a reason.

Today I come to realize I think this is of my own doing and I am upset that I didn't realize it and seek medical attention when I was too tight.

I am just 50lbs to goal, and don't want this to stop me!

Any support or advice would be welcomed.

Thanks for reading I know my long was long.

UPDATE: My doc said everything looks fine - no slippage, hernia and esophagus went back down to normal.

Gave me .5 cc (5cc band) and I will f/u in 3 weeks. Doc said He would do another GI when he fills me to 2cc. Thats if I go that high.

Thats great news!

I didn't have another barium swallow and my Doc put 5 cc back in on Monday. Its taken me a few days to get used to eating MUCH less again! I can go back for another 1cc next week if I want, but I'm starting to think I might wait a little longer.

Thats great news!

I didn't have another barium swallow and my Doc put 5 cc back in on Monday. Its taken me a few days to get used to eating MUCH less again! I can go back for another 1cc next week if I want, but I'm starting to think I might wait a little longer.

I know what you mean about getting used to eating much less. I am even a little scared to even eat now w/ a slight fill.

While I was unfilled for the most part I only drank shakes or ate Soups & mushies, but in the past week was begining to eat other foods. It did take quite a bit to begin to fill me, but quite a bit does not compair to life w/ out the band, but I kept to smaller portions because I didn't want to gain.

I was actually able to loose about 3-5lbs while I was unfilled, so I am happy and proud of that. :biggrin2:

I won't get another fill until after July 2 because I am going to Spain for 2 weeks in June and we don't want to have any problems while I am gone.

I know what you mean about getting used to eating much less. I am even a little scared to even eat now w/ a slight fill.

While I was unfilled for the most part I only drank shakes or ate soups & mushies, but in the past week was begining to eat other foods. It did take quite a bit to begin to fill me, but quite a bit does not compair to life w/ out the band, but I kept to smaller portions because I didn't want to gain.

I was actually able to loose about 3-5lbs while I was unfilled, so I am happy and proud of that. :biggrin2:

I won't get another fill until after July 2 because I am going to Spain for 2 weeks in June and we don't want to have any problems while I am gone.

Oh how lucky to be going to Spain. My favorite country for travel of all! I read this thread because I am having problems after a year and a half of banding. Last few days I have problems with solids, eat more than 3 bites and feel awful pain, not like restriction or being stuck. I called my doctor and was told this might be dilation. I am on liquid diet for 2 days and will call them on Friday. I am at my goal weight, so if they have to deflate a little it won't be horrible news. Yet, I don't want any thing worse than that.

I have been to Spain twice. Once to northern area (Madrid, Toledo, barcelono) and once to the south (Seville, Arcos). Where are you travelling? Honestly, Spain is my favorite country to visit. They are so nice, eager to please and the food is wonderful!

Terry

Oh how lucky to be going to Spain. My favorite country for travel of all! I read this thread because I am having problems after a year and a half of banding. Last few days I have problems with solids, eat more than 3 bites and feel awful pain, not like restriction or being stuck. I called my doctor and was told this might be dilation. I am on liquid diet for 2 days and will call them on Friday. I am at my goal weight, so if they have to deflate a little it won't be horrible news. Yet, I don't want any thing worse than that.

I have been to Spain twice. Once to northern area (Madrid, Toledo, barcelono) and once to the south (Seville, Arcos). Where are you travelling? Honestly, Spain is my favorite country to visit. They are so nice, eager to please and the food is wonderful!

Terry

HI - Keep on it about your symptoms - don't be like I did and tolerate it. Now I know better. Good that you are doing liquids. I think I know when it happened, because one morning I woke up and could eat/drink or swallow spit. I called the office and the nurse told me to stick w/ liquids and if the next day I couldn't eat anything to come it. Next day I was better, except for gastric reflux.

I will be going in Monday for an additional fill - right now I am at .5cc and really no restriction - it is hard to not over due it and gain. I am maintaining right now.

This will be my 2nd time going to Spain. We went last June and going again for a mission trip. We are going to Palencia which is almost 3 hrs north of Madrid. On our last day in Spain we did go to Segovia and sight see - that was a beautiful town.

This is the only country I have been to, but I loved it - feel like home. I was so impressed by the difference in culture - prideful people but in a good way. The city was amazingly clean and the food was delicious. I was expecting food to be like Mexican food, but it was more like Italian food with the red sauces and olive oil. Loved the Coca Cola too - that was the real stuff there.

We did get some stares and lookers because 12 Americans were walking the streets there and this is not a tourist town, so we really stuck out, but all the better to make them curious.

When we got to Segovia it was weird seeing a bunch of Anericans and hearing the speak English.

I am looking forward to going again.