Hello All!

I have been banded for three years. I have gone from 279 to 165, where I am currently. I love having my band! In the past, I have had bad reflux, PB-ing, the works. I got loosened about two months ago to relieve some of those symptoms, and I have been feeling good. Saturday night I developed a tightness right in the middle of my chest, not while eating, and when asked what was wrong my instinct was to say "my band hurts". I called my surgeon, got the PA, who told me to go see my general doc. I did that, had an EKG, Stress Test, Chest X Ray, Sonogram of Heart and Abdomen, Blood Work, etc. Very cautious! Everything was A-ok, he said, as i figured, to go see my surgeon.

Surgeon completely unfilled me. Said that might relieve the pressure. Prescribed a Barium Swallow (Video Esophogram). I am going for that tomorrow.

I am writing this post because I cannot sleep or go five minutes without getting teared up that I have a slip and might need another surgery. I am devastated. I can't take time off from work, dont want to have another surgery, etc. I know I will have my medical diagnosis in a few days, but until then, I wanted some opinions from all of you. What do you think is happening to me?

I have a knot in the upper left side of my chest, right under my left breast. It has not gone away since Saturday. It gets "tighter" and more noticable (the tightness) after eating. I am keeping liquids and solids down fine. It has been three days since my unfill with no improvement.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I will definitely post back when I get my results tomorrow. P ray I don't need another surgery!!

Jennalee

Jennalee,

I am so sorry you are having this problem. I know things seem really bad now, but try to stay optimistic. I wish there was something else I can say, but please let us know when you find out what is going on. Sending you healthy thoughts and vibes.

Update 1 - Had my Video Esophogram (Barium Swallow, Flouroscopy)

So the doctor on duty at the radiology center wasn't able to tell if my band had slipped or not. The barium wasnt tasteful but wasnt unbearable either. I am now waiting for my surgeon to see the test results and call me. One glimpse of hope was that during the X Ray (the still one), there were big black spots near where I'm having pain. I asked the tech what they were since the rest of my chest was crystal clear, and she said air pockets. Maybe it is gas/air pressure after all. Say a prayer!!

Keep you updated

Jen

Black on x-ray does mean air, so maybe it is gas.

Please post an update,. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Christine

Well, my surgeon called me back. Although my pain has subsided (took 7 days to go away), he says he is not happy with the esophogram results. He said there looks to be a hesitation when liquid/food moves from the esophagaus to the stomach. He didn't say how this accounted for the pain. He did say that it could've been from swelling, or it could be a slip. He said let the swelling go down for two weeks, take it easy, come into the office and we'll talk. He is leaning towards going ahead and replacing/repositiong the band before it slips more severly (if a slip at all) and becomes an emergency situation. I will meet with him the week after next and most likely schedule a procedure, based on his tone when discussing my options. I still don't know if the pain was gas or related to slippage.

So how do i feel...i am glad the pain went away and I didnt have to wait for surgery to relieve it. I'm scared and disssapoitned in myself for potentially needing a new procedure as I don't follow the rules well enough. But I am glad its not an emergency sitaution and I can wait until summer break (teacher) to be laid up.

I will update!

Thanks for listening!

Jen

Jen,

I am glad you have some answers now and not in pain. THis situation sucks but I hope you are using this as a motivator. Things will get better just stay optimistic. Good luck to you, and keep us updated.

have them check your gall bladder, have had same symptoms and had to have emergency gall bladder removal I thought I was having a heart attack

Hi Jen,

I was banded 3 years ago and about a year out I started having occasional, out of the blue episodes of "heart attack like" pain that would radiate into my jaw. Very scary, but it turned out to be esophageal spasms. I also have been having lots of heartburn. Recent tests (upper GI with barium) show that I have a slip. Having a revision tomorrow a.m. Not happy about it but I look at it as a new start. Try not to worry, just do what you have to do to be healthy and pain free!