Need advice

All of a sudden I've started having trouble with my band.  I have not changed anything that I am doing.  Last week I started getting stuck often and vomiting.  I'm now unable to eat solid food without pain and vomiting.  Clear liquids go down very slowly.  I'm having difficulty taking my meds because they won't go down.  All of this is causing a lot if pain in my chest and throat.  I feel like I have a lump in my throat.  I have no idea what may have happened.

So here is my question. I live in NJ but I'm in FL until the end of March.  Should I try and find a doctor here or just go to an ER? I don't want to go home early because of this and calling my doctor at home won't really do much. My doctor at home has never been helpful when I've called in with a problem.  I actually haven't seen him in a year because I haven't needed an adjustment.  I'm not wild about seeing him again as I've lost faith in him, he moved to a different (and undesirable hospital) and dropped my insurance.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Wendy

Edit to add:  I've had my lapband since May 2010.

Wendy,

The band can be a 'fickle *****'.  It is possible that your vomiting last week has irritated your esophagus and caused some swelling ... And it keeps getting worse.

What I would do is to go back to soft foods and liquids for 2 days ... And see if that helps (yogurts, soups, well-mashed tuna, etc.).

if that doesn't help, I would try to see a local doctor or ER to see if the band slipped and get the fluid out.

Good luck!!!

Personally I would start right now finding a bariatric doc that can at least look at you now just make sure things are OK or maybe give you a bit of an unfill. When you get back home try to find a new bariatric doc so you have someone you can trust to see long term.

I am sorry you are having trouble with your band.  Not being able to eat, and barely keeping down clear fluids is not something to just ignore.  I would not wait another month, plus you don't like that dr. anyway.  I agree with the above post. Get looked at here and then find a new doctor at home.  ER may be your only option, as it may be difficult to get in to see a bariatric surgeon at his office quickly.  I hope you get help and get better very soon!

You need to be seen by someone soon.  The ER may be the best option, but it probably wouldn't hurt to call the local bariatic surgeons and ask if they can help you.   Having a too tight band can cause damage to your stomach.   So please don't let this continue for long.  I agree about finding another Dr. in your area that you trust.

Good luck!

Amy

Not being in the US, I am not going to suggest where to go or who to see. But don't wait until the end of March. 

Stay on very soft foods and liquids until you can see a doctor and don't risk having meds dissolve above the band. They are designed to dissolve in the stomach and can cause extreme irritation if they dissolve at the base of the oesophagus, so making things worse. And, of course, f you bring them back up, you risk being under or over-medicated depending on if you leave it or take more. 

Vomiting unfortunately is Common with the band, After a certain period of time Scar tissue develops under and around the band causing some of the problems that you describe.

PAIN however is NOT normal, Personally I would go to the ER. Please make sure they have a strong Bariatric component affiliate. SO that IF the ER personnel doesn't know what to do with you or your band at least they can consult with a Bariatric Surgeon.

Here is a list of Bariatric Doctors that may be able to help if any of them are close to where you are in Florida.

FLORIDA

Dr. Raul J. Rosenthal MD
2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard, Weston, FL 33331

Dr Michael Baptista
9471 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Dr. Moses K. Shieh, DO

http://www.surgicalhealingarts.com

Surgical Healing Arts Center6150 Diamond Centre Ct Suite 1300

Fort Myers, FL 33912

Patrick W. Domkowski  MD13837 Us Highway 1, Sebastian, FL 32958(772) 581-8003

And When you get home here is a list of Surgeon you may be able to see again, If they are in your area.

 Michael J. Nusbaum M.D.
 200 South Orange Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039

 Alexander Abkin MD

83 Hanover Road #190, Florham Park, NJ 07932

 Jeffrey W Strain MD

350 Engle St, Englewood, NJ 07631

(201) 277-5534

Dr. Ahmed F. Attia D.O.

2950 College Dr, Vineland, NJ 08360 

856) 362-5259

Dr. Samuel H. Wasser M.D.

Virtua Surgical Specialists, 401 Young Avenue, Suite 320 Moorestown, NJ, 08057 (856) 291-8920 

Dr. Mehta

 78 Easton Avenue, 3rd Floor New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (732) 745-0999http://mehtaobesitycenter.com/meet-dr-mehta/

Dr. Samir  Patel, MD

Atlanticare Physician Group 2500 English Creek Ave Suite BLDG80 Egg Harbor Township, NJ 082341-888-569-1000
http://www.atlanticarepg.com/

I hope this helps.

Dr. Baptistsa saved my life. I highly recommend him. 

Thanks everyone for all of your advice.  I'm sorry I did not respond sooner but I was feeling so terrible I wasn't online.  Not eating and barely drinking aggravated a chronic condition that I have.  I was able to find a doctor in Florida who would see me.  He took all of the fluid out of the band.  That seemed to alleviate the problem.  I will see him again in two weeks.  If between now and then I don't have any issues we'll just stay the course and then start slowly filling the band after a month or so.  If I have more issues then he will send me for a swallow test to rule out a slip.

I really liked the doctor down here.  I wish I could take him home with me LOL.  When I go home I am going to work on switching to another doctor in NJ.  Right now I'm just so glad to be feeling better.

Thanks again,

Wendy