Acid Reflux Nightmare

[Dream18]

I had a fill three weeks ago, and the first week of the fill everything appeared to be fine. I was having a little discomfort with things going down, but it was nothing major. The second week after my fill, I started having acid reflux symptoms. All of that all but disappeared within weeks of my surgery 6/27/07. The reflux has gotten increasingly worse, so I called the doctor. I went back in and was told the band was probably too tight b/c I was also not really getting any solid foods in either.

The doc pulled some fluid back out at my appointment just a couple of days ago. The reflux seems to have gotten worse, and I'm having really bad back pain just trying to get down a couple spoons of grits, pudding, etc. (I'm like really crying b/c of pain). Of course with the reflux, everything (even liquids) feels like it is stopping in my chest. I'm miserable, can't eat, don't want to drink, and having reflux even sitting in an upright position on the couch trying to sleep at night. Has anyone else had anything like that to happen? Is it possible band is still too tight? I'm concerned about the effects of prolonged bouts with acid reflux and not physically being able to really take in anything right now.

[sassy46545]

Dream18,
Insist that your doctor see you again immediately and check the band under fluroscopy. Prolonged reflux is not a NORMAL symptom of good lapband routine!
Painful eating, eating only soft (usually carbs) foods is also not good. Sleeping upright on the couch isn't good. You're instincts are right.. something is wrong!

Keep us updated!

Tracy

[Dream18]

Thanks Tracy! I know what I'm feeling can't be normal, and I am hoping that it is not something serious that's going to require surgery. Up until this last fill, I've not had any problems with my band. I've been moderately successful going from 374 (my very first visit with the surgeon) to 288 now. I don't want to get off track.

["Just Jess"]

this happened to me --- i was completely miserable as well. i would prop myself up almost to a sitting position in bed. i would wake up choking up liquid and have to run to the bathroom to spit it out. it was HORRIBLE. i wasn't sleeping well and i never thought it was band related, bc i was eating FINE. no problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but i, of course, mentioned it to my band doc and he sent me to flouro for an upper GI... well the result wasn't good news. turns out the only thing that fixed it was a complete unfill for a period of 4 weeks. i had pouch dilation from being filled too tight. check out my thread for more info: http://www.band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=7187

good luck to you!!!!!!!! get it fixed now before it becomes a bigger problem!!!!

[Dream18]

Thanks Jess!

I am so glad that I happened upon this site today. I was just looking for something or anyone to identify with who might have an idea of what I'm feeling. No one in my family, friends, coworkers, absolutely no one excpet husband knows that I had surgery over a year ago. Therefore, I really didn't know who to talk to other than my doctor.

If I continue to have problems through the weekend, I am going to call my doctor again. I'd almost be happy to have a complete unfill for a few weeks as opposed to having surgery. My band was the first surgery I've ever had in my lifetime (38 yrs). It went perfectly fine, but I just hope not to have surgery unless it is a must. It was odd to be talking while being wheeled to surgery and the next memory is of someone waking me up in my hospital room hours later.

[Bandedmomof7]

I wanted to comment on this, too. I had mild problems with acid reflux before the band on and off. (Thanks to my father's genes!!) It is definetly accentuated by the band. I did have a major incident when I was too full..if you are waking up with mouthfuls of liquid and terrible burning--that, for me, was a symptom of too tight. I went in and had some taken out and it made a world of difference.

Now..I have a really good fill with just the right amount of restriction....and I still have boughts with bad acid reflux. That being said, I am NOT about to have my band messed with. There are alot of things you can do to control "normal" acid reflux. I have found that it is best to not eat anything after about 7pm. That gives my stomach time to empty before I go to bed. I do sleep with an extra pillow (not upright--yuk!) and I take an over the counter acid reducer (Zantac) if I feel ANY slight burning or have the feeling that food is close to the esophogus. I also take one automatically if I have eaten anything after 7pm.

If I am having continual daily problems, I will get some Prilosec OAC and do a 14 day cycle of that--it is great to get things back "under control."

I also try to avoid some of the 'text book' things when dealing with stomach issues: spicy foods (in the pm), heavy fat content, try and do my "bigger" meal at lunch time and eat bland, smaller portions in the evening. All of this really helps.

I have been able to manage the acid reflux. I do think it is something that is a bigger deal because I have a band. But it has been manageable--not always perfect--but manageable. My feeling is I would much rather deal with this than the extra 140 pounds I have lost and the diabetes and crippled feet and back I would be dealing with without the band.

Good luck, friend. It is a pain, but worth the journey to figure out the obstacles along the way.
Hugs--

[chrispygal]

Oh the dreaded acid reflux! Dream I definitely think you're still too tight. You sound like me, although at a worse level, right before I had my recent slight unfill. It hurt to eat anything, and I had reflux every afternoon and night. It was miserable.

My band doc took out .25 cc's and it has been a world of difference. I've had no issues with reflux after about a week after the unfill. I miss the restriction, I'll be honest, but I want to make sure I take care of by band so I have it for the long run.

["Just Jess"]

I miss the restriction, I'll be honest, but I want to make sure I take care of by band so I have it for the long run.

chris --- THAT really hits the nail on the head... well put! :)

[Dream18]

Well everyone, I am headed back to the doctor in a few hours to have a complete unfill done. I will go for an upper GI tomorrow to take a look and see what's going on. I'm at least hoping the unfill will offer some immediate relief to some of the acid reflux (popping Prilosec OTC three times a day currently). I'm a little concerned but have prayed about it. My hope and faith is in God Almighty and I know He has this already figured out and worked out!

[Jess_22554]

Dream -

I am struggling with the exact same issue. I am going for an Upper GI on Thursday to make sure the band looks good and to check for an ulcer. I hope your unfill today was uneventfull and your UGI tomorrow shows everything with your band is A-OK!

Hang in there!

[Dream18]

Okay--can you say INSTANT RELIEF! My band was completely unfilled and I literally had an immediate relief from all my symptoms. The fullness in my chest went away, the burping and hiccups went away, and my appetitie came back. The doctor was happy about the 10 lb weight loss in 4 days, but admitted it was not healthy b/c I wasn't eating or drinking b/c I was so miserable and sick.

They didn't get the upper GI scheduled, so I'm waiting for call back. After the unfill, I had to sit in the waiting room for an hour and sip on 16 oz water. It seemed like trying to swallow a mountain, but it went down fine. Doc gave me the green light to go and wait for call back from hospital for upper GI. I slept for the first time last night w/o any reflux symptoms that I've had for nearly two weeks.

I am just amazed that a too tight band can make you that miserable. It's never happened to me before, so I really had all these horrible thoughts going through my mind of what's wrong. I know that I have to take it slow and still watch what I eat b/c I don't want to gain anything back. My band is scheduled to be filled back to 2ccs in a couple of weeks under fluroscopy.

I am just elated about being able to breathe easily now and not feeling bloated and like an elephant was sitting on my chest. Thanks to everyone for the support and I'll keep the gang updated. I'm glad to be a new member of the family. I was raving to my doctor about the site.

[bgrand]

Like others have mentioned, I was also too tight and had reflux every night!! I was unfilled for a month, then went in for fluro, where he gave me a 1cc fill. I gained 10 pounds with the unfill, and since the 1cc fill, have at least not gianed weight. I have lost some weight this week, but this was stress related. I go back this Friday and will hopefullt just get a slight fill. I don't want more than 1.3cc, but we'll just have to see what the doc wants to do.
But, it is great to not have any reflux!!!

["Just Jess"]

good for you, dream!!! :) take care of YOU now!!! :)

[chrispygal]

It's just amazing to me the difference .25 cc's can make. I was too tight, had reflux, and awful pain. He takes .25 cc's out and I can eat anything (pizza, sandwhiches, bread - all no problem), lots of it if I want to, and have not felt any real restriction or a signal to stop eating. I've had to just stop myself on my own. It makes zero sense to me. But I'm afraid to go back to being too tight so I am struggling to get control of myself, and I have gained 5 pounds. Ugh.... But this is still better than the suffering I was dealing with - I just need to keep reminding myself of that!! :)

[Leenerbups]

Hi Ladies,
I'm in the same boat. I went for the first fill in over a year 3 weeks ago and now suffering terribly with acid reflux. (See my post "Very Sore Throat".) I'm glad I'm not the only one. I can't seem to get into my doctor though. So I have called the office of a new one. If I have to I'll go to the hospital.

[jbjrose]

thanks for posting this information. I had my lapband on 3/2/10 and my las fill was this past February and I have lost about 25lbs or so since that fill... Just recently I started having repeated bouts of acid reflux which is odd for me because I rarely had issues with this problem even before the band. I think it started because of a stomach flu and I had repeated bouts of nausea and vomiting.. once the vomiting subsided I have had to deal with reflux on a daily basis and like one of the comments even some back pain.. I will make an appt to get checked and maybe it is too tight.

[MoOrLess]

thanks for posting this information. I had my lapband on 3/2/10 and my las fill was this past February and I have lost about 25lbs or so since that fill... Just recently I started having repeated bouts of acid reflux which is odd for me because I rarely had issues with this problem even before the band. I think it started because of a stomach flu and I had repeated bouts of nausea and vomiting.. once the vomiting subsided I have had to deal with reflux on a daily basis and like one of the comments even some back pain.. I will make an appt to get checked and maybe it is too tight.

I'm so glad this thread was here for you...sometimes we aren't too tight until we get sick...then for whatever reason it sets things off...glad you are going to get checked out

[brwneyedbeauty]

I to have suffered with acid relux. I only have 1 cc in my band now. That is about all my body can take anything higher then that I can't handle (reflux wise) I have a smaller band 4cc and I have heard smaller bands can cause this problem.

[calvarycatlady]

I too am having this problem. I was only banded on Aug 3, and the doc unfilled me a bit on my 3 day f/u. But still having heartburn. He also fixed my hiatal hernia when he put the lapband in. I had been taking several meds prior to surgery, he said I shouldn't need them now. When I spoke to him last, he said I was eating/drinking too fast (still on liquids)

Will be seeing him in 4 days, not sure what to expect

[MoOrLess]

I too am having this problem. I was only banded on Aug 3, and the doc unfilled me a bit on my 3 day f/u. But still having heartburn. He also fixed my hiatal hernia when he put the lapband in. I had been taking several meds prior to surgery, he said I shouldn't need them now. When I spoke to him last, he said I was eating/drinking too fast (still on liquids)

Will be seeing him in 4 days, not sure what to expect

Sometimes I think surgeons "believe we are eating/drinking too fast" and that seems to be said an awful lot to bandsters...if you ARE being mindful every time you eat or drink, then that doesn't apply here...the hernia repair may be more of the culprit and it will hopefully tone down soon! if not, request a total unfill until you see if this helps -- if you STILL are having reflux issues - INSIST on a swallow test! Keep us updated please

[brwneyedbeauty]

It does seem more and more Lap banders are having trouble with reflux....

[banded2x]

Dream18...I had the exact same issues with my first band..a CT scan showed no problems but turned out it had slipped and was shutting my stomach...please get this checked out~

[MoOrLess]

Dream18...I had the exact same issues with my first band..a CT scan showed no problems but turned out it had slipped and was shutting my stomach...please get this checked out~

It's always helpful when bandsters share their experiences - thank you for sharing yours! I just wanted to note that Dream18 posted back in 2008 about this issue...but it certainly is still relevant amongst bandsters today.

[lujackb]

Hi this is the first real problem I have had it will be 2 years Nov 9 I've lost 66 lbs have no doctor since Sept 2010 and that was to take out the .5 cc that he had put in. We moved to Ark. and the only Doc is in little Rock 21/2 hours away but reflux is now the big issue can't sleep or sit up even without the reflux issue meds isn't helping so far don't know what to do. And I havn't lost weight all year. I am tired of no sleep.

[MoOrLess]

Hi this is the first real problem I have had it will be 2 years Nov 9 I've lost 66 lbs have no doctor since Sept 2010 and that was to take out the .5 cc that he had put in. We moved to Ark. and the only Doc is in little Rock 21/2 hours away but reflux is now the big issue can't sleep or sit up even without the reflux issue meds isn't helping so far don't know what to do. And I havn't lost weight all year. I am tired of no sleep.

I know I'm not going to tell you what you already know, but you really need to get in to a doctor ASAP - it could be some other issue, even a slipped band...and you need to be able to sleep. Please let us know how things progress...I'll be praying you start getting some relief!

In the meantime, do you stop eating at least 3 hours before bed? Are you currently taking anything for reflux? Drink a lot of water - it helps clear out the stomach and if you have any allergy issues that needs to be addressed too. We have quite a few people (myself included) who suffer from severe allergies issues - lots of post nasal drip etc - and I have chosen (along with my doctor) to keep my band very loose - most of the work is up to me, but I have enough restriction (4cc in a 10cc band) that I can still work my band

[pollyo]

I've been there, terrible chest pain with reflux, had a complete unfill right after surgery and was on double prilosec and was feeling good after two days. Didn't get a fill for 2 mos. Had a fill, did great, got bronchitis which triggered the asthma which triggered the reflux and went in and told them to unfill me completely, which they did. In a couple of days reflux went away, and I didn't go in for a fill for another 2 mos. Am scheduled for a second fill this Thursday. If I have a choice between being filled and having reflux, I will unfill completely and let my esophagus heal. The band is adjustable-- yay! We just have to behave ourselves, but we have to do that when our band is filled anyhow... Good luck!

[cdfawaz1]

I have been suffering with acid reflux which keeps me up all night. I finally had a fill that gave me some restriction about a week and half ago. At first it was fine. The past 3 or four nights have been hell, acid filling my mouth and my nose even sitting up on the couch. I will be sure to do all the stuff that will help like bland food and nothing at night and biggest meals early. Thank Goodness I found you guys. It really helps to read your stories. I want my band and I want restriction. My doctor was very conservative with my fills and it took me 6 months to feel any real restriction. I have a call in now. We will see what he says. I don't want any serious problems either. I figured I would go on to clear liquids and suck on ice chips for a few days and see if things work out, but I'm scared. The weight is finally coming off, but I don't want to be sick. A part of me feels like its worth it, but I know its not.

[MoOrLess]

I'm relieved to hear you say you know it is NOT good to be too tight. Remember your band is a tool. You still have to do the work. Which may mean you need to be less filled. I'd get on that infill ASAP. You can cause problems with your esophagus ans slip your band. Reflux is your body's way of telling you that you are too tight. Let us know how things progress.