Subtle Signs of Band Complications

LB symptoms you might mistake for something else, causing delay in treatment and subsequent damage.

  1) returning heartburn: many of us obese folks had heartburn/reflux and hiatal hernias preop.  After surgery, losing weight or HH repair, our symptoms resolve, we go off our meds and carry on with the business of losing weight.  IF your reflux symptoms return or increase at any time, at any level, call your band surgeon and consider a small unfill.  This early warning could save you from further complications, lifelong damage and misery.  It might allow you to lose more weight, since you will tolerate raw veggies, salads better with a bit less fill.  It might save your band.  

2) chest pain, mid-back pain that radiates to left shoulder, neck or jaw is a sign of trouble; vagus nerve irritation, esophageal spasms, etc.  This was my first sign of trouble.  I'd waken during the night, with mid epigastric pain, radiating to my left arm, neck, jaw and teeth.  Drinking a little water and/or changing positions helped...over time, it did not.  

3) change in bowel habits.  I had IBSd most of my life.  This last year, it changed to IBSc.  I became so constipated, I was having a BM only every 10-12 days.  I attributed it to intolerance of salads and fibrous foods.  Turns out, I developed a motility disorder affecting my entire GI tract.  This is a serious and potentially life threatening disorder.    

4) regurgitation of food.  If you're eating and feel like you might get stuck, then regurgitate food, your food might not be getting out of your esophagus.  This is true, especially if you've had the above mentioned symptoms.  If you are burping a lot and regurgitating up small bits of an earlier meal, this is a warning that you have retained food in your esophagus.  I have had tiny bits of food from meals days before just come up...  

5) random tightening of band (without a recent fill), getting stuck on liquids or soft foods: this is a sign of an esophageal issue.  The food isn't getting out of your esophagus, so it's not necessarily your band tightening, it might be psuedo-achalasia, a recently recognized complication of banding.  If treated promptly, it can be reversed.  If allowed to continue, you risk losing your band and potentially damaging the esophagus permanently.  It's amazing to see this on ex ray.  The fluid goes into the esophagus, distending it, while the esophogeal muscles contract violently, trying to force it through.  In my case, the entire distal portion of the esophagus was tightly contracted, the mid portion dilated 4x normal and the liquid sloshing around in there.  My heart rate increased a lot, since all of this was happening directly adjacent to the heart, hence the name "achalasia cardia".   6) feeling tight with an empty band.  This is also a sign of trouble.  Empty bands slip more easily.  Food getting stuck in your esophagus feels like food stuck in your band...no way to tell without an Esophogram.  

Any one or combination of the above symptoms is cause to call your band doctor.  I'm posting this to bring awareness of these symptoms and prevent someone else from suffering the pain and anxiety I have for the last year.  I also believe that had I recognized these symptoms sooner, had some saline removed early on, I might have saved myself a lot of misery and lost more weight.  I only had 3.5 cc in my band, was compliant in all respects with diet, nutrition and hydration, but since I saw people posting about their "fickle bands", random tightening, getting stuck on liquids and these things being chalked up to a "normal" consequence of banded life, I wasn't alarmed.    

Well said, SM!

 

Lisa O.

 

Thanks Lisa...

2) chest pain, mid-back pain that radiates to left shoulder, neck or jaw is a sign of trouble

 

These can be signs of something FAR more serious: a heart attack. And you should contact your doc IMMEDIATELY.

Yes of course, but follow up with band doctor. My PCP, when I first saw him for this symptom was unconcerned because the discomfort was of short duration, less than 2-3 min, relieved by drinking water or changing position. When I developed palpitations, I was referred to a cardiologist immediately.

I second the follow up with the band dr.  When I presented at the ER with these symptoms they did EKG, ct scan, flat plate etc.  Told me I just had reflux gave me pain meds and sent me home, no heart attack band was FINE! Thank goodness I followed up, I had an EXTREME slip.  In fact the nurse at my PCP, said even I can Dx this one from the flat plate!  The surgeon was PISSED, wondering why they have oncall bariatrics 24/7 if no one calls them....

Search Fickle results:

 

 

Over filled and fickle band anyone? Dec 14, 2012 ... Hello, I got a fill the other day and I'm having trouble eating almost everything but before the fill I had no real restriction at all. Is there anyone ... www.obesityhelp.com/forums/.../Over-filled-and-fickle-band-anyone/

NSV & Telogen Effluvium is a Fickle Mistress Mar 4, 2013 ... First, the NSV! I'm down another size in jeans! Wooo! I'm now in a 22 and it fits without me looking like 10 lbs. of potatoes in a 5 lb. sack. Yay! www.obesityhelp.com/.../NSV-amp-Telogen-Effluvium-is-a-Fickle-Mistress/

YOU FICKLE SOB I've been eating off of this salmon salad all week (salmon/mayo/lemon juice/hot sauce) - no troubles. I was actually really surprised at how well it went down ... www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/4124159/YOU-FICKLE-SOB/

Fickle new stomach Jun 23, 2012 ... One day I'm starving, I eat something then I'm not hungry for 2 days!!! I don't like forcing foods feeling but I know i have to eat. What are ... www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/4544145/Fickle-new-stomach/

fickle band... today I am loose as a goose - yesterday I couldn't get ... Feb 20, 2013 ... Well, my band has been pretty tight... probably too tight if I would admit it... but suddenly today... it is ok - I mean I have been very careful... but I ... www.obesityhelp.com/.../fickle-band-today-I-am-loose-as-a-goose-yesterday- I-couldnt/

My fickle fickle band Apr 27, 2010 ... I have been banded for 6 months now. I am very happy and proud of the weight I have lost thus far. However, I am now at a stall. I knew that it ... www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/4164216/My-fickle-fickle-band/

My fickle band....stress and pain Feb 2, 2010 ... So today was VERY stressful. I won't go into what everything was, but I suddenly I felt such restriction in my chest! I haven't tried eating since it ... www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/.../My-fickle-band-stress-and-pain/

Fickle, fickle band Mar 21, 2010 ... I've been at this almost two years now, and I'm still amazed how fickle this band can be. Last night I could barely get down 2 1/2 ounces of ... www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4142802/Fickle-fickle-band/

Fills and my fickle band Jul 15, 2008 ... How do you truly know when you need a fill? Suppose you go to your WLS doctor and it's a good day and your band is very tight? And then a ... www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/3668965/Fills-and-my-fickle-band/

This Band is so fickle~ Apr 17, 2008 ... This Band of mine is so fickle! It has a mind of it's own - don't you all agree? So my first and last fill was on the 18th of March. I've been good. www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/3588738/This-Band-is-so-fickle/

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Excellent Post! 

I say it daily to those I love who have LapBands! 

DO NOT IGNORE ANY CHANGES THAT OCCUR WITH YOUR BAND!

I hate the arrogance of some that their band will never cause problems.  I do think some ignore serious problems for a very long time and they end up with permanent damage.  This is a an excellent post!

Thanks!

It has been years since I have posted here and I have all of the above. :,( sadly my band is being removed tomorrow.

I'm sorry you're experiencing the complications that come with banding. I wish you the very best with your band removal surgery. Hopefully you'll feel much better after the band is out.

 

Take care.