Has anyone out there had problems with your band tightening suddenly? This has happened to me about 4 times since I was banded Nov. 2008. I can be going along just fine and for some reason, I will feel tighter and tighter until I can't even get Water down. Then I have to have it loosened and I don't lose weight.

I've heard some people say that stress causes this or PMS (sorry guys), but I haven't been able to identify a pattern. Has anyone else had this happen multiple times? It is starting to feel like I can't lose weight unless I am unable to eat anything! It's pretty frustrating and I am worried that this will continue to be a problem.

Does anyone have suggestions/solutions?

Hi Zig,

I am learning more and more online. It seems I find out more relevant info here than at the DR's. I have never heard of achalasia before. Do you know if you've always had it or just developed it from the band? Will it get worse? I hope not.

I am beginning to think the fills are hit or miss, good, bad or indifferent.

I am due for another fill on the 15th, I am nervous, especially since the DR's policy is that we don't need to know how much fill we have or are getting.

I agree all loses are a win.

Good luck with everything. I wish you the best!

Sammi :-)

The most common symptom of achalasia is difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Patients typically describe food sticking in the chest after it is swallowed. Dysphagia occurs with both solid and liquid food. Moreover, the dysphagia is consistent, meaning that it occurs during virtually every meal.

Sometimes, patients will describe only a heavy sensation in their chest after eating that may force them to stop eating.

Regurgitation of food that is trapped in the esophagus can occur, If the regurgitation happens at night while the patient is sleeping, food can enter the throat and cause coughing and choking. If the food enters the trachea (windpipe) and lung, it can lead to pneumonia (aspiration pneumonia).

Because of the problem swallowing food, a large proportion of patients with achalasia lose weight.:wink2:

SO, is the band to tight? Or is it THIS? I don't know if I had it before the band. I don't know if I have the band removed would this condition go away.

All the web sites point to it getting worse. But we have cutting edge hospitals around here so,:smile2: for now I'm fine with it.

Every pound lost is celebrated.

Hi Ziggy.

PS-I love the name SkinnyZiggy. I haven't had skinny attached to my name in years lol

Good luck with everything.

PS-I'm in NJ, we have relatives in Yardley. I also work in the schools as a para. I've probably worked every position at some point. Some better than others.

I hope you get this resolved to your satisfaction. I'm supposed to get my second fill on the 15th, debating whether to get it.

Samantha :-)

thanks for the info on thr hydration. I am doing well. I had the Realize Band in Mar 09 and have 7cc's of fluid. The jury is still out on whether it's too much. I think that I have to remember to eat WAY SLOWER! When I slow nothing gets stuck, but when I eat fast, stuff gets stuck and I have throw back up some of it.

I had heard of that disease with the esophagus. I've wondered if I have it or if it's just PMS and lack of hydration. It's so hard to get water down. I haven't had a fill in 4 months and have lost 20 lbs but the band doesn't seem to get looser. Weird?!

I went from suddenly to tight to sometimes I can eat more. I threw up chilli yesterday (not pleasant). I think maybe a bean got stuck, because the next time I tried it, it went down fine.

I went for my second fill, but the DR did not give it to me. He said I should wait 4-6 weeks because of the vomiting. I lost 10 lbs in the previous 6 weeks. Not major numbers, kind of bummed on that score.

I can eat fine somedays and others not so good. Worried about wanting more food now though. I am starving by 10 PM.

I'm not sue if I can or should wait 4-6 more weeks, going to play it by ear.

Good luck everyone!

He said HYDRATION seems to be the major culprit. He said if you are well hydrated then the band is loose, if not, then it isn't. In a way, internally, Water is a lubricant (NOT saying it is mucous etc! ) but think how dry your skin and lips can get if you're dehydrated? Internally if we don't have enough water, things restrict and tighten up. Water them and they relax again (this is really generic, not trying to be scientific but just give a visual).

WOW!

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. You just never know what you will come across on this site. I need to tell you that you are right. I went camping for 2 weeks in Northern Idaho. In the sticks! The first week all was well and I had a wonderful trip. The beginning of the 2nd week, I couldn't eat anything. 3 bites and I had to slime. I was sooo tight. I could hardly drink either. I was very worried and just did my best with it up in the woods.

Got home and started pouring over these posts. Slippage? erosion? esophagus issues? What could it be? Then I read your post about water. I realized that I had gotten off my routing of 3 20oz bottles a day. Out camping I probably had 1 at the most. I must have been low on lubrication. Today and yesterday I am back on my liquid routine and all is well! I was sooooo worried, and now I am grateful. Thank you for posting! You have helped me greatly!

God Bless you,

GlenSand...I'm so glad! I'll have to tell my surgeon his good advice is helping others too. I know most of us don't think to ask these things when we're IN the doc's office and don't want to call. Since I just graduated nursing school (and am often in "student" mode) he's used to me hitting him with a barrage of questions. So glad this helped you too! :thumbup: That makes my day!

:mad:I had very similar circumstances and did niot realize that my esophagus was being damaged on top of everything else. I was banded in March and finally had it taken out in August. Unfortunately, the damage was done. Altjough it has been a year since I was debanded, , I take a muscle relaxer for my esophagus. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Furthermore, my surgeon recommended that I see another doctor for my problem. I have been so depressed about the decision that I made to have the band but I have decided to deal with it instead of being stressed. With a damaged esophagus, you feel like you still have the band in and that it is too tight.. Eventually, the feeling goes away and comes back again. Please stay on top of complications and ask your doctor to carefully monitor the situation so that you won't be left with a damaged esophagus!!!

Private Dancer7

Banded March 2008

Dr. Krahn

San Bernardino, California

privatedancer7 what caused your damage? were you filled too much? did the band slip? it's not common; what caused your problems? Thanks! :juggle:

I contracted dysphagia due to a failed lap band. I take a muscle relaxer for the esophagus. I have good days and bad days. I totally regret having the procedure done and I pray that I will be normal again. My doctor sent me to another doctor to figure out what to do with me. If anyone knows of a doctor that can help me, please let me know.

Private Dancer 7

Banded by Dr. Krahn 2008

San Bernardino, California

I appreciate you taking the time to "talk" with me about this. How did your lap band "fail"? Did it slip? Was it placed improperly? Was it too tight? If you don't mind...."Fail" covers a LOT of ground...

The gastroenterologist stated that the lap band caused my problem. I had no problems before the lap band. I only got 1 fill-the smallest amount available-because my doctor noticed that something just did not work well. I only regret that I did not insist that the band be removed immediately.

Private Dancer 7

Banded by Dr. Krahn March 2008

Removed August 2008

San Bernardino, California

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I'm sure what happened to you can "just happen" but usually there is a slip, or a too small band, or too tight, etc. I'm not a banding surgeon so I don't know for sure but have sure researched a lot before I got mine. Anyway sorry you won't ever know what went wrong with your band and that it didn't work for you. I hope you feel better soon!

The most common symptom of achalasia is difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Patients typically describe food sticking in the chest after it is swallowed. Dysphagia occurs with both solid and liquid food. Moreover, the dysphagia is consistent, meaning that it occurs during virtually every meal.

Sometimes, patients will describe only a heavy sensation in their chest after eating that may force them to stop eating.

Regurgitation of food that is trapped in the esophagus can occur, If the regurgitation happens at night while the patient is sleeping, food can enter the throat and cause coughing and choking. If the food enters the trachea (windpipe) and lung, it can lead to pneumonia (aspiration pneumonia).

Because of the problem swallowing food, a large proportion of patients with achalasia lose weight.

SO, is the band to tight? Or is it THIS? I don't know if I had it before the band. I don't know if I have the band removed would this condition go away.

All the web sites point to it getting worse. But we have cutting edge hospitals around here so,:juggle: for now I'm fine with it.

Every pound lost is celebrated.

I was diagnosed with dysphagia after the band was removed. My doctor recommended another physician help me because this problem was out of his area. I take a muscle relaxer that works sometimes. You mention that there are experts in your area that can help you with your dysphagia. Does anyone know of any experts in California that can help with this problem? I sincerely hope that no one else has to deal with this scary, uncomfortable feeling.

Private Dancer 7

Banded March 2008

Removed August 2008

Dr. Krahn

San Bernardino, California