OK. I am looking for some peace of mind... I am now 25 months into lap band surgery. For the most part I am thrilled. I went from 270 to 196. My goal is 175. All lab tests are going great. I just need to sleep better.

The last few weeks, I do fine in the day and then at night problems begin. I thought perhaps I was eating too late or picked up my wife's cough which was spurring on vomiting. After looking through this site, it appears that I may have a slipped band. I still feel full in the day as normal, but perhaps my upper stomach is too large to drain completely??? Not sure... also, if I drink any sweet liquids... juice, etc. it seems to come up like black tar... is that nromal. I should just drink Water right? :tongue2: Thoughts anyone.

I think that you need to make an appointment right away. The black tar appearance has me thinking that you may have some bleeding somewhere.

Dont want to scare you but you should see a dr right away.

I was able to see the doctor last Friday. They emptied my band and I had an esophogram. My band is still in place and everything looks healthy. I am relieved. The best we can figure out is that I was taking Advil for some back issues and that was cuaing the bleeding. Anyway, I am relieved and will have an empty band for a few weeks. I only have 25 pounds to goal so I hope to make some progress against that goal prior to getting a refill. Thanks for the advice.

Todd

Glad to hear that!

Glad to hear everything is ok. What is an esophogram? Is that the same as the barium swallow xray? Can they tell from that if the band is eroding or something like that? I have been having some pain in my upper stomach area and I'm not sure what to do. I don't really want to go back to my surgeon as I was not impressed with him....I feel that once he got my money, he was done with me. The aftercare center where I have gotten fills just tells me to go see my surgeon if I have any problems. I am going to have to find a new PCP because my old one is not on my insurance any more. I feel that I need to get things checked out but I don't know who to go to. I hate starting all over with a new dr.

it is the same as the barium swallow... i had my surgery done in Oregon and the aftercare was excellent just tough to get into the doctor as she is so popular. Her office handled the fills as well. I have not heard of a band eroding. I wish I had a better answer for you. If you wanted to call her office in Portland and ask for a referral to physicians in your area, you might have some luck. Her name is Emma Patterson... look up her number and maybe they can give you a good name. Best of luck.

Glad to hear everything is ok. What is an esophogram? Is that the same as the barium swallow xray? Can they tell from that if the band is eroding or something like that? I have been having some pain in my upper stomach area and I'm not sure what to do. I don't really want to go back to my surgeon as I was not impressed with him....I feel that once he got my money, he was done with me. The aftercare center where I have gotten fills just tells me to go see my surgeon if I have any problems. I am going to have to find a new PCP because my old one is not on my insurance any more. I feel that I need to get things checked out but I don't know who to go to. I hate starting all over with a new dr.

If you are having pain you should get checked out sooner rather than later. Waiting might cause things to get worse.

Unless you can find a new doctor and schedule something over the next few days you should consider going back to your surgeon.