Stomach Acid & the Band

Have you had problems with stomach acid since being banded?  Whenever I read on here that someone has problems with stomach acid, they are told to go get it checked because it can indicate a band slip, or a "too tight" band.  I am an example of that not necessarily being the case, and I'm trying to resolve my problem with excessive stomach acid, and to get my band back in gear.

I had the lap band 4 years ago, lost a lot of weight, and have maintained for several years.  During my losing phase, I always kept a moderate fill level (almost never PB'd, could eat anything, could chug water).  Two years ago an endoscope for a non-lap band issue showed some esophageal irritation, and the GI doc asked if I'd had heartburn.  I told him that sometimes I had a "sensation" below my breastbone that I didn't even recognize as heartburn, and never so much as popped a Tums to correct.  Regardless, due to the irritation to the esophagus, he put me on a PPI (Omeprazole).  I ended up staying on it for almost two years, on and off, because every time I went off of it, I'd get that sensation again (not pain, not reflux), and assumed that it could cause problems with my esophagus.  

A year and a half ago I got my last fill.  I had gained about 10 lbs,, and was moving 5 hours away from my LB surgeon, and decided to top it up.  I was definitely tighter than I'd been before, but still could eat solid foods, slowly, rarely PB'd, but could no longer chug water, and had more trouble eating first thing in the morning. About 4-6 months ago, I did have 2-3 episodes of nighttime reflux, but it stopped when I stopped eating after 7pm.   Recently, I started having "break through" heartburn, even while still taking the PPI, so went to have it checked out.  The barium swallow showed my band was in good shape (no slip), and the solution moved through the band readily, indicating that I was not too tight.  

After the barium swallow, I went in to talk to the PA, and told her about my heartburn.  She recommended a endoscopy, and took out my fill in the mean time.  The endoscopy showed the band is fine, but I have an ulcer, which was biopsied, and found to be "normal".  I've been put on another PPI, Dexilant, which doesn't seem to agree with my body (extreme bloating and gas).  Right now I don't know whether I'm going to continue with it, or try something else.  In the meantime, I will remain unfilled at least until the next scope, which will be in two months.  

So, now I'm trying to figure out what is causing the excessive stomach acid, whether it is related to the band, and how I can deal with that and still have some level of restriction. Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you deal with it?

Thanks!

I am really curious about that feeling you had. Since my last fill in October..the first fill I have felt any restriction with I get what I call and anxious feeling. It comes at night or sometimes when waking in the morning I notice it. I have recently begun to wonder if the anxious feeling is really stomach acid?? I have never had  or realized I was having heartburn so I don't really think I would recognize it? I am so sorry about this for you and pray you get some resolve soon! THank you for relating the feeling you were having to me and letting me know if you could have described it as anxiety sort of feeling?

 No, it just felt like I "felt" my band, or maybe a bit of warmth, but not like "heartburn" that I used to experience occasionally pre-band (and a lot when I was pregnant).  I'm not sure what the anxiety feeling is that you're experiencing, but it doesn't sound like what I was feeling.   I've heard some heart issues can feel that way (like mitral valve prolapse).  I'm certainly not saying that's the cause of your sensations, but if it continues, it might be a good idea to get it checked out.  Best of luck to you.

Finally someone in the same boat!  I was banded in 2004 with the 9.75cc Vanguard Band.  For the first two years all I did was eat and vomit.  Lost over 130 lbs and have since put back on 50 lbs.  Near the end of the two years of constant vomitting, I got re-occurring stomach acid, at night, during the day etc.  At some points I was just throwing up acid reflux.  I deflated my band as a result and was told  to just wait it out.  So, I left is deflated for 4 years.  Never wanting to ever put fill in it again.  

However, after I got the platic surgery and gradually gained weight.... I begain trying on numberous occassions to fill my band.  To this day, all I get is chronic acid reflux morning, noon and especially at night. Nothing has moved or slipped with my band.  I suspect I am 1/3 of those people.  I believe it was because I only ate and vomitted the whole time to get the weight off.  Back then they did not have a program to address my eating issues but I am told today there is a lot of support.   

Anyways, I feel lost, cheated and annoyed.  I want to work with the band properly but unfortunately it will not work with me.  Let me know if you come up with a solution. 

Cheers, 

If you do some research I think you might find that many people that have reflux with a band and are not too tight and have not slipped... sadly, reflux is an issue. Some studies say 1/3. It's due to the change in anatomy from banding.

Is the new PPI working? You really want to stay on top of this, it can be very dangerous long term.

BTW, please don't take TUMS when you have reflux (heart burn). While it does work right NOW, calcium carbonate causes rebound acid by triggering the production of gastrin. IOW, it causes rebound acid. Maybe talk to your doc about Gaviscon instead.