I was banded October 2007. No problems with the exception of not really losing weight until almost a year later. Have lost 52 pounds. 3 months ago I started waking up at night coughing and throwing up (sometimes 5 times a night). I went to a new doctor here in Southern California (I had my surgery in Mexico) and he removed all of my fill. He said to wait 8 weeks until getting a fill because I had severe acid reflux. I was also on prescription medication for this.

Today I went for my fill under fluoroscopy and he said that I still have acid reflux and that my band was put in too high and that he not only cannot do a fill but that this could cause esophageul cancer. He suggested I go back to my doctor in Mexico but I told him I would rather he take care of it. He said the band would need to be replaced.

I don't believe my insurance will cover this because I self paid for the surgery.

Has anyone heard of a band being put in too high?

Thank you all so much for your help.

I have heard of the band being put in too high. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

If your insurance has no WLS exclusion, they should cover a revision. Most insurances will cover revisions when there is a medical problem with the original surgery like you have.

Of course they are all different and it depends on your policy too. But it's worth at least looking into.

I've heard of it took, but havent known anyone with the problem.

I hope you find a way of sorting it.

I was waking up coughing and puking in my sleep as well. I was too tight and didn't even know it. I had an esophagram and the barium would not go down through my band from my esophagus for over 15 min. It made me wonder where all the food was going in the day time when it never felt stuck.

I have not heard of the band being too high, but I know that my insurance would definitely not pay for anything band related no matter what the cause. My esophagram was about $400 because it had to be done at the hospital, and they removed most of my fill as well.

Anytime anyone is waking up in the night with problems, get to the dr because this is dangerous to the esophagus.

Hi, I also experience vomiting daily and also at night. Walking up coughing and vomiting... it is worrying me about the damage this could be doing ... :ohmy:

Thank you all for your responses. Just don't know what to do!

Hi, I also experience vomiting daily and also at night. Walking up coughing and vomiting... it is worrying me about the damage this could be doing ... :huh2:

go and have a slight unfill. This is dangerous and it could cause you to lose your band some day.