I was banded on July 25th 2005 and have recently experienced bad reflux that made me feel like something was stuck in my throat forever. I never had it before banding and would like to know if anyone else has had it. My lap-band nurse said none of her other patients had this. I thought to myself "of course - I would be the weirdo to do this"

There are lots of reflux threads here... you might want to do a search and read some. To answer your question -- yes, there are some people that develop reflux after the band. Some people who had it before the band have improvement in reflux symptoms after band surgery. And some people don't have reflux issues.

Inamed notes in their patient handbook that some people have developed reflux. I also went to a Dr. where they didn't think it was band-related because none of their patients had experienced it.

Some people who do get it post-band only have it briefly...hope you're in that category.

Elizabeth

08-28-03

Thanks - I am praying and I believe it will go away for me. It has been better the past two days.

My drs said that reflux, esp right at first, is VERY common with the band. Your tummy has just been squeezed down and they said at first that causes acid to come up through the stoma. My dr. prescribed Prilosec and I had to take it morning and evening for two months. **CALL YOUR DOCTOR** The acid could do damage to the band.

My doctor also prescribed a medication for reflux, although, for the life of me, I can't remember the name of it.

I was on that for about a month, after finding a good restriction, but nowadays, I don't really need it anymore. I get the occassional heartburn when eating something spicy, but nothing a mylanta tablet can't handle.

Have you had any fills? It can be a sign of a band that is too tight.

Mae

I had it briefly post-op and usually when I ate too much or too fast. I haven't had it in ....at least a week. I just used an over-the-counter antacid that calmed it down nicely. Now I am very careful to eat slow - I have NO restriction at all but will still feel that 'stuck' pain if I rush it.

Hi "with the band". I was banded 1/31/05 and had my 3rd fill on 7/21/05. About one week after that i started having acid reflux. I put up w/ it for 3 weeks and couldn't take it anymore so i made appt w/ my band dr who gave me pepcid ac and untightened my band. Have not had acid reflux since, but my band is looser than i like it. Maybe you might want to try OTC acid reflux meds to see if you get relief. The only other time in my life i had acid reflux was when i was pregnent.

I have reflux since having the band. My doc gave me some tablets to take when it comes. Usually it only comes at night, sometimes through the day.

I had some occaional reflux prior to being banded. I have not had any since being banded.

I have struggled and struggled and struggled with reflux since be banded but I am HAPPY (actually *TOTALLY THRILLED*) to report that it is just SOOOO much better. I just got a fill last week and I am doing better than ever. The last two weeks have been remarkably improved.

The things that have really helped are: 4 oz aloe vera juice in the am and pm with priolsec. It says one every day but you can actually do two. This is the oTC prilosec. I tried prevacid and prilosec worked better for me. When I went to go see my fill doctor he gave me some nexium so I began taking it instead of the prilosec just to try it out. Both have given me a ton of relief. ALSO<MUY IMPORTANTE> do not eat right before bed.

GOOD LUCK.

I was so scared. I

Note to self: Don't eat a chocolate cookie (yikes!) as you are laying down for bed unless you like acidy breath and coughing and reflux all night!!! This was completely preventable.