I went and read the sticy post on reflux. I never had reflux prior to the surgery, at least not often enough to note. I had it the first 10 days out of surgery but then after priolsec twice a day and aloe juice it got better...so I quit taking it twice every day and it went to once day with aloe. I just started eating solid foods this week and it is back with a venegance. It seems the people who are really unhappy with their bands have bad reflux.

So...my question is...to those that got reflux following surgery and did not have it before...

-has it gone away?

-how long did it take to go away?

-do you take meds everyday?

-everyone says you need to go get tested, etc. how long do you wait before you go to your doctor?

-can a prescription usually cure it?

Any info on this topic is appreciated. I would have responded on the reflux chain but it is closed.

Thanks.

Lindsay

Okay, correct me if I'm wrong...but as you lose weight, doesn't a fill generally loosen a bit? Or is that just in the beginning? Or is it one of those..."it just depends" kind of things? Seems like if you lose a bit, your fill loosens, and you have room for a tad bit more fill, then perhaps the reflux won't get any worse? That's what I'm banking on! I hope I'm right and that's true for me...

Legallyblonde, the other reflux thread was locked when it was moved to the Reference section. There's nothing wrong with having more than one thread on the same subject.

Paula, I've wondered about that too. I'm sure my doctor would say yes, that's it. You've reached a physical point where further tightening would just make the reflux worse. C'est tout!

But I do think Kathy is right, and more weight lost would widen that margin. At least, it's a great theory. I'm waiting to see if another 10 lbs will change the reflux situation. I agree, being 30 (or 40 or 50) pounds overweight is FAR preferable to having serious reflux every night. I had a very short period of what Legallyblonde is going through, and it is the WORST. The lack of sleep is more debilitating than anything.

Tammy -- Thanks. I tried elevating the head of my bed...no success. Legally blonde, I've also had a Dr.'s office tell me acid reflux was not a side effect of the band. I went to Inamed's web site and looked it up in their patient guide. In Inamed's clinical study, 34 percent reported reflux. So, pull that up and take it to your Dr. next time -- I plan to. What's the world coming to when we're more informed than the Dr.'s??

Elizabeth

8-28-03

I posted the below message on the Support Forum, but I think this is a better forum. I could use any and all information you may have to offer. I am frightened and frustrated with the things that are going on with me. I am ready to rip this band out of me. There are a couple of ladies that have stories just like mine and I am hoping we can help each other out. I have had all the Fluid removed from my band.........FRUSTRATED cannot describe my feelings right now. Thank you for any help.

Message #1

I had my surgery in Feb and did very well for first few months. A few times I would eat too much and definitely felt the effects. I did vomit a few times (mucus type substance and some food) but overall was feeling good. I had my first fill after 6 weeks and the weight started coming off. I had my second fill a month later and it was too much restriction. I went in the next day and they removed the fluid they had just added and everything was fine. Again I was doing well and losing weight. However, about a month and 1/2 ago I started having serious problems. I developed Acid Reflux and continue to suffer nightly from this. I am on Protonix (40mg) TWICE a day and still wake up choking on acid and food I ate. But more seriously, I feel like my stomach is not digesting the food I eat. I vomit almost daily......sometimes all day long. I have spent a couple days in hospital due to dehydration. They removed all the fluid from my band and I have been fluid free for over a month now. I always have a bitter taste in my mouth (acid). Many times at night I vomit food I ate for Breakfast that day. Most days I feel sick all day. Many times when I eat about 10 minutes later my back tenses up and my whole body aches. I am feeling so disappointed with my docs..........when I explained about my back hurting they basically told me that they think I have developed a fear of food and that fear makes me sick and that my body reacts to that fear...........Basically, that it is in my head. I know that there is a problem and I just am hoping someone out there knows what I am talking about. I am at the point where I want to have it removed which just saddens me because I spent so much money paying for the band (my insurance will not even pay for test to help determine what is going on because I chose to have this elective surgery) . I have lost 50 pounds so far and have another 50 to go. However, I have not lost any weight in over a month. I am just so frustrated so if anyone has information, I would really appreciate the support.

Message # 2

Thank you all for your replies. I did do a barium swallow while I was in the hospital and my docs said the band looked good and had not slipped. I have made an appointment with my regular doctor to discuss this since I don't feel like I am getting anywhere with my docs. I am hoping I can get my insurance to pay for it, but that is not looking good. DISHDIVA, did your reflux go away when all your fluid was removed? How are you doing now, did you have fluid replaced?

Another thing I didn't mention that I find strange. Certain foods that I ate after I was banded now make me sick almost immediately. eggs, ground beef are examples. I could eat them before, but now I eat them and it feels like they sit in my stomach all day long........it irritates my stomach intensely and that is when my back feels like it is tensed up. I end up vomitting that food hours and hours later. It just seems like the food is not being digested. I know my port came partially loose and does not lie flat now, but the docs don't seem concerned about this at all.

Thanks again for your replies!!

Sonnie, it really does sound like there is something odd going on with your stomach. I've heard of some bandsters suffering from decreased esophageal motility, which would account for food staying in your esophagus/pouch for hours on end. Have they considered that? In any event, if a complete unfill is not solving your problems, perhaps it does need to be removed.

Sonnie,

((hugs))

Have you tried going to another band surgeon to find answers?

And as simple as this may sound, have you "tested" yourself by going on a liquid diet for a couple of days to give your digestive system a break? Just to allow the swelling to decrease. Try giving yourself a fresh start.

Also, when I eat a hard protien I MUST drink Water (at least) an hour later to help wash that food out of my pouch.

One last thing...

my *new* insurance comp. (this is not the one that payed for my band) does not cover banding. B U T - if I have test run and do NOT approach it as "band related problems" but approach it as "stomach problems" - the insurance WILL... I repeat, THEY WILL pay for the testing!

So, pull that up and take it to your Dr. next time -- I plan to. What's the world coming to when we're more informed than the Dr.'s??

Dishdiva,

I agree and disagree!

DEFINATELY make your surgeons aware of the reflux stats. Great idea!

On the other hand, remember - physicians are people with educated opinions.... they are not God (although some think they are )

Went to TJ yesterday and had my fill lightened. I had 2.4cc and they took out .4cc. So I have 2cc. The dr was super nice and I had a very nice experience. I ate well yesterday and slept great last night. The lack of sleep was effecting my mental health. I was seriously doing/thinking crazy stuff.

I asked why the other doctor told me some weird story about how they take a part of of stomach (like some kind of acid branch) and anchor it around your band which prevents acid reflux. I swear! Her words not mine! And the Dr just stared at me and said, "What?" So, whos to say? Like I said before, I work in the medical field, I know anotomy and I know of no little branch off my stomach.

P.S I just wanted to say that I travel to Mexico by myself and if there is anyone who questions their safety, yeah, question your safety, but don't let that stop you from going on your own. I got stopped at the border coming back and searched but I think it is only because I looked tired and was clutching my new Coach purse for dear life.

Thank you Paula for all the nice words. How sweet you are.

Christine

Christine,

SO glad things are better for you. See how a little unfill made it better? Thanks for updating us!

Yay!! Thank goodness you were able to get the help you needed. On to banding success!!

Great news! Sometimes just that small amount will make a world of difference. I am so happy you are doing better.

Forgot to say I was proud to learn I have lost a total of 35lbs since November. Down another 1 lbs today so 36lbs gone. Started at a size 16 and was a 12 for a minute and now need to figure out what comes before a size 12? 10? I wouldn't know since I went from kids sizes to a size 14. Ha! Clothes baggy is a good feeling.

I tell you, now that my head is clear....if anyone is suffering from reflux, get help! Life wasn't worth living like that.

It was so neat to speak to other band people in the waiting room. I don't get a chance to get personal feedback from anyone around here.

Christine