Heartburn

This is the second time I have had heartburn 8-10 weeks AFTER a fill. Oct I had to have an unfill because 10 weeks after my fill I started having heartburn. She took out 1cc. I went back in Nov she gave me .5 cc. The heartburn came back last week(8 weeks after a fill). So yesterday I had to get another unfill. She took out 1cc. I now have 5cc's in my 10cc band. It is puzzling to me and the nurse as to why I am having the heartburn 10 WEEKS after my fills. Has this ever hap pend to any one else???? I just can't seem to think that it can take 2 and 1/2 months for a fill to kick in and become to tight.
Weird. I think I will wait the 10 weeks for another fill to see what happens this time. If I get heartburn again then something is not right. What do you think????

Thanks in advance!!!

PS  The first unfill was done under X-Ray with barium swallow. To make sure there was no pouch dilation or slip. It turned out fine.

I posted this on the lap band forum aswell.

I'm sorry Carrie that I have no answers for you since I'm not a bander.  Maybe Debra or another one of the banders will chime in here pretty soon.  Sorry!!

You have also done a really good job!!! Keep it up You will be at goal in no time.
You are almost there now!!! Thanks

Thanks, Carrie!  It seems like the closer you get to goal the slower it gets as well.  Oh well...I can see the light and I feel sooooo good!!!

Carrie,

Sorry, I also have no helpful info on your issue, but wanted to say that it's good to see you here.  I was just wondering about you last week.  Looks like you're doing great with the band - keep up the good work!

John

WOW you have really done well!!!!!!!!!!!!  You look great.

I am going to call and ask some banders...I dont see how heart burn can be caused by the fill. It may be something else. The fill goes into the band and not into the stomach so where is the acid coming from????? Did you call and ask your surgeon??? I would
cause that just does not make sense. Not only that I assume you have to pay to be unfilled as well as a fill

Thank you for your replies!!! It has been a while since I have been on this board. The band is wrapped around the top of the stomach and when you get a fill that is to tight it can cause the flap that leads from the esophagus to the stomach to stay open hens the acid back flow(reflux). If this happens then I would think the reflux would have started way before 2 1/2 months.
Maybe I just irritated something at some point both times. Who knows. Well see in 8-10 weeks if I get it again. I sure hope not.

Thanks again

I know I know I know (waves her hand around the room wildly).

I tighten up when the arctic fronts come down-cold dry air.  Now, maybe I get dehydrated, I don't know what the physical mechanism is, but I DO know that that is what happens.

Today I went in for another slight unfill, because I'm fine during the warm weather, but this cold had me all tight again.....  So, my NEW criteria for a fill is to be able to swallow my Prozac on a cold day....and I took a pill with me, had the unfill, and swallowed the pill, not just the water.  In theory, that should mean I'm good even for cold days, but may have to watch things a little closer on warm days.  And I can live with that.

That is one of the downsides of the band-it does vary according to conditions even if your fill level stays the same.  Again, I don't know the science behind it, just what is true for me.

On a warm day, if I'm snacky, I can have something around 8 ish and still be ok, on a cold day, if I eat past 7, I will have reflux.

Also, it's been my experience that heartburn breeds heartburn.  If I have it, I'll go on liquids for at least a day to let things settle.  If I have it again, then I consider an unfill at that point.  But heartburn is a sign of being too tight and should never be ignored.

 

Remember, while the band is fixed, the stomach is a iiving, muscular organ, and size can vary from person to person, time to time depending on a host of variables. 

I should have read your reply to Carrie before I replied to her, Debra. I never would have thought a fill or unfill or weather would make such a difference. Wow. Very interesting.