Band Problems

I have been banded for about 3 yrs and lately have had chest pains and it was not the heart after having a few tests , upper gi, ultra sound, and endroscopy. Anyhow the gastro doctor is sending me to my lapband doctor. also have a pre existing hiatal hernia. Anyhow dr. thinks that band is too tight, I do not agree, i know how it feels being too tight. and how the other dr. thinks that there is some inflammation and definetely gerd. I am so afraid that the lapband dr. may want to remove the band, not happening. I was just wondering if anyone else has encountered this kind of problem and what was the outcome? I have an appt. the 9th of March. I will have another one put in or what ever they have to do but not going back to square one and gain all that weight back, I am so depressed and discouraged...please help me figure this out if you can help...thx so much [email protected]   aka Donna

Hi Donna,

I had a hiatal hernia that my doctor repaired at the time I had my band put on. He said that they do repair the hernia to alleviate any future problems with the band, and they feel the band works better without the hernia.  That may be all it is.  It also may be that your band could be a tiny bit tight, which causes shoulder pain and other symptoms.  Don't jump to conclusions before you have had a chance to talk with your doctor.  If you don't like what he has to say, then you can always get a second opinion.  The docs here at Portsmouth are awesome. 

Thank you for your reply, I just wished that he had fixed the hiatal hernia at the same time. Can it still be done without removing the band, Maybe they can fix it and put in a new band. Yes I know the doctors are good in Portsmouth. I had Dr. Looser and he is very good. Kind of quiet at times but good. Thanks so much. I am trying not to get discouraged, I have traveled this journey thus far and don't want to back track so am praying hard that things work out and I do not get too discouraged and just go with what they suggest. Thx again..Donna

I had a slip just this past December...but it seems that my band did not really fit me all that well to begin with. I had GERD pretty much the entire time and was very sensitive to fills (I will say my weight loss is great though).   The slip required emergency removal (seriously..even water was not getting through) and he replaced it with a newer band.  So far I can eat more than I ever could from day one with my older band (not a bad thing..just now starting fills) NO MORE GERD!  Oh my goodness...seriously..if not for the whole starving to death thing...it was worth the second surgery just to get rid of that!   I also got up and around and had very little pain from this surgery..big difference over 100lbs later in recovery and pain..I can say that!  I had the option of just total removal or replacement..I went with replacement..I don't want to start over either!!

Good luck hun..I hope it works out for you.

Thanks for the reply. If Dr. Looser gives me the option I will definetely want a replacement. I am not having it removed without getting another one. Even though I have had my ups and downs with the band I am not ready to throw in the towel. Did you get your lapband done in Portsmouth too, and who was your doctor. ? I am getitng so nervous as the day approaches. I hope that I don't get the riot act of why didn't you tell me about the gerd. Well it started out as chest pains and did not that one thing had to do with the other..oh well will find out on next Tues the 9th of March. Wish me luck because I am really worried about it...wonder if he will do something right then and there. He won't have to do tests as I already have the ones I had done before, have to pick them up from the hospital. The ultra sound, the Upper GI Barium, and also the endroscopy so I would think those tests and or pictures would be enough..who knows?? I am sure that you understand how I feel...thx again..Donna  aka [email protected]

Dr Gould was my surgeon.   After I had the first swallow test they did a complete unfill to see if the band would reposition itself..I heard that works for some people.  After it was apparent it was not they scheduled me for surgery and it was fairly quick.  I think it was way easier than my first surgery 3 years ago..of course being smaller and in better shape made a huge difference.  Glad I got it done!  GOOD LUCK next week!

Thanks so much for the reply. I am so worried and emotional about this right now. Maybe some might find that foolish but I don't. You I am sure do understand. I wish that it might be easy but whatever it takes I will do it, besides losing the band altogether and I will tell my doctor that right up front. It is nice however to talk to someone who has had similar problems and that you do understand.  thanks again for writing back to me. and will write after Tues . to explain exactly what I found out for people to know too..thx again. Donna

I would like it if we could keep in touch with each other to compare notes as far as the way we eat. That would be very good if you would do this...thx. Be waiting to hear from you . Got to go to bed now to get up early to go to work..thank you . Donna

Sure!  no problem.  Just went in yesterday for my first fill with the new band.   Back to business.  I had no restricition for the first couple of months.  I have HEARD of such a thing but never experienced it..I had restriction right away last time!  No more GERD though..still.