Heartburn

I am 10 mos post lapband. Havent lost any wt since April.  Had last fill on August 12th...Experiencing terrible heartburn and belching with fluids and solids.  Spoke with surgeon and he has ordered Nexium and upper GI.  Dont think its too much restriction...Doesnt feel like that...My chest gurgles when I eat or drink....Anyone else had this problem...Please help!!!!

Hi!!

My friend, Heather M., kind of experienced the same issues.  Turns out, I think, that her esophagus was swollen, the food wasn't digesting properly, and was basically sitting there, fermenting, causing foul smelling belches. 

She, too, had the upper GI, and I'm pretty sure that's how they discovered it.  She had to completely unfill and then start over, but since then, she's done just fine.

If you'd like more accurate info, PM her, I know she'll be happy to help.

Hope you feel better soon!!!

Tia

Thanks so much...It seems like no matter what goes in my mouth I have heartburn!  Even with water....I am so frustrated....I dont think I have ever hit my "sweet spot"...I was doing so well until about March and I had an overfill and had to return to have some taken out.  Since then it just hasnt been the same...I dont have a full feeling anymore...If I eat to quick or too big of bites I feel restriction, but otherwise I could probably eat a horse if I go slowly....I havent been exercising due to a back injury which I know would help with the weight loss....Im just depressed that I have been at a stable wt. since April.....Hope I can get the GI done and things get better....When they took the fluid out, did they start replacing it right away or did you have to wait?  Thanks for your help...B

She had to wait a bit before getting "refilled."  IMHO, the good thing about the lapband is that with every fill, you get a "honeymoon period," so it's conceivable to think that once they get this issue resolved, you'll be able to continue to lose.  Sounds like the first step in figuring out and resolving the problem is the upper GI, so have that done, and make sure you keep us updated!

Like I said, I'm certainly no authority on the subject, but I'll ask Heather to take a look at the board tonight.  Perhaps she can offer you some insight.

T

B,

What Tia described about me was that I was too tight, food didn't go down readily at all so it decayed in my pouch causing the smelly burps.  My esophagus was dilated from this (found on the UGI).  They completely unfilled me for a month and started refilling slowly after that.  Remember when eating to chew like crazy and to do protein first, take no more than 20 minutes to eat and stick to no more than 1.5 cups of food per meal.  Of course no drinking with meals either.

B,

Hi, I'm Tia's friend Heather that she mentioned.  I also have a band and am 2 years out on 9/14.  I'm curious what size band do you have and how many fills have you had?  Reflux and heartburn are common with the band especially if you are too tight.  And actually, if you are too tight this can cause a stall in losing.  Definitely do the Nexium and the UGI.  Have you had trouble with night time reflux or coughing?  How about any vomiting after eating?

Hi Heather!  I think I have an 5 or 6cc band and have about 4cc so far.  I have been getting fills since Dec.  at about 1/2cc at a time...We just cant seem to hit the right spot... How much weight have you lost since your lap?  I can eat much more than 1 1/2 cup of food at a meal and not feel any restriction or fullness...I just dont get it!  I felt the restriction and full feeling until April and since then no weight loss and no full feeling....and since my last fill in August I have had horrible heartburn and belching!  Even with liquids....It is really bad in the morning.  What is a typical day of eating for you?  Thanks so much for chatting with me!  Brenda

Hi Brenda,

I've lost 80 pounds (check out my profile, my story is on there with all details).  I'm 24 weeks pregnant so I can't get a fill until 6 weeks after I deliver the baby, but I'll be right back on the wagon in January!  I've only gained 11 pounds because my band is still filled.

Your description has me as confused as you are.  I know you said in a prior post you had been overfilled and they pulled some back out earlier this year because you were too tight.  If you don't feel restriction it's strange that you also have the heartburn and belching (associated with being TOO filled which you must not be if you can eat a lot).  Are you drinking with meals?  What are you typically eating in a day?  Are you eating more soft/liquid foods?  I was doing that when I was too tight without realizing I was eating the softer stuff.

My typical day varies on a daily baisis, but here are some things I do more frequently for B/L/D. I can eat more right now because I'm not at an optimal fill level (we were building back up to my sweet spot when I got pg):

B: Micro Ravioli cup -or- 1/2 Eng Muffin, 1 egg, 1 sausage patty

L: Turkey on toast (whole sandwich) -or- Tuna (sm can) w/ crackers

D: Chicken breast, 1/2 potato, green beans -or- some protein w/ veggies

I don't really snack a whole lot, but when I need something I'll eat PB w/ celery or a granola bar or even a turkey sandwich depending on how hungry I am. After I have the baby I'll be getting back to basics and avoiding more carbs, but I need them and the extra calories right now for the baby.