I have been banded for two years and have lost 80 pounds (wht 30 more to go). For the last few months I have had gas, pressure and amazingly loud stomach sounds that finally made me see my surgeon. Other things I was telling him made him suspect a slippage, but I had an upper GI and everything was OK--in fact, it showed that I needed a fill. Meanwhile, my primary physician has been treating the stomach problems, first trying Zantac, then lactaid, then digestive enzymes and now a proton pump inhibitor (presecription), none of which helps for very long. An endoscopy is next. Has anyone had a similar problem? It doesn't seem to be connected to what I eat or when I eat. Before this I never had a single stomach problem, but my primary says that my stomach, although not surgically altered, is not functioning the same as it was before. I know stomach irritation can be a side-effect of the band. Anyone?

i am in the exact boat as you. i have been having more gas than usual and been to every doctor to treat it. unfortunately there isnt a solution, just take gas x or whatever you can and see if that helps. i had an upper gi, video esophagram, endoscopy and they took fluid out because i was too tight. it seems to have helped but i will always have gas pains, ive spoken to a few bandsters and they all have similar problems. our stomachs have changed thats just the gist of it!! i hope you feel better...

I have been banded for two years and have lost 80 pounds (wht 30 more to go). For the last few months I have had gas, pressure and amazingly loud stomach sounds that finally made me see my surgeon. Other things I was telling him made him suspect a slippage, but I had an upper GI and everything was OK--in fact, it showed that I needed a fill. Meanwhile, my primary physician has been treating the stomach problems, first trying Zantac, then lactaid, then digestive enzymes and now a proton pump inhibitor (presecription), none of which helps for very long. An endoscopy is next. Has anyone had a similar problem? It doesn't seem to be connected to what I eat or when I eat. Before this I never had a single stomach problem, but my primary says that my stomach, although not surgically altered, is not functioning the same as it was before. I know stomach irritation can be a side-effect of the band. Anyone?

There was a study that came out about a year ago that shows the anatomical changes of the band cause reflux. It is really important to find a drug or a combo of drugs that treat this because it can lead to barretts esophagus.

Thanks so much for replying. I am now looking for a gastroenterologist who is familiar with the band. Not sure how easy that may be. I will post any useful information I get.

Thanks for your help. I am trying to find a gastroenterologist who is familiar with the band so I can get the opinion of a specialist.

I was banded 8 months ago and am now experiencing horrendous gas pains. It doesn't matter what I eat. My belly bloats almost immediately after eating. I take gas x, but it doesn't touch it.

Have any of you been tested for that H-plori (or something like that) infection?? It is a bacterial infection that is generally in your small intestines but can move to your stomach. I think a simple breath test is all they do to check for it.