Lap bandits and hernias, weight gain, and a lot of pain

I've had my band for 6 years and weigh more than I did before. I lost 70ish pounds in the first year and then platued for 1. Then, for the next 2 years I slowly started gaining weight back. I went in for a fill and didn't notice till the next day that it was too tight. I had uncontrollable foamies and every time I ate, regardless of how much it was, I threw up.

This nonsense went on for a whole year. My band doctor is a 6 hour drive from me and I was in grad school. I had no time to see him. Well I started getting esophageal spasms. Thought I was haveing a heart attack. I felt something in my chest, like it had ripped and that it was a slip. Finally forced myself to make time. They unfilled the band and sent me off. Didn't think it had slipped, just thought it was irritated and nothing more.

I let it settle for a couple months and then started getting fills again. Since that point I have never felt fullness again. I used to notice that my shoulder would hurt if I over ate, never since that ripping feeling. I'm filled to the point I was before I started vomiting and now I feel a constant aching sensation on my left side under my ribs, like where the band would be. I think I have a hernia too because if I push in right under the ribs, I can hear my insides as clearly as if they were sitting on top of me.

My brother told me is just sounds like hernias and pressure inside of me from the weight gain. He said if I lost weight that the pain would go away. He thinks the band has nothing to do with the pain, this is just how hernias feel. Could my band be pushing up out from my diaphragm? Could it be eroding? It's sore and feels irritated all. The. Time. This is not a passing pain. It's there every moment I'm awake. Only slight relief is if I drink something cold. This irritation has been going on for a year. Never ending.

I am currently living between two states, with health insurance in the state I'm not currently in. It could be months before I go back. I don't even know if my insurance would cover its removal. It didn't cover me getting the band. But i am in constant pain. My GP refused to see if I had a hernia because he's very anti band and this was a form of protest for him. I hate my GP. But he's friends with my dad... I'm also worried the wls office will think it's nothing too. I want it out or revise. ASAP. But I have no money. I'm currently unemployed but this has reached a breaking point.

Omg! Get that band out! I can't believe your gp isn't helping you that he's anti band is no surprise, most are for a good reason....this post! He should be helping you get it out! I revised and thank god i did. So sorry this is happening. Keep fighting for your health!

Could it be gall bladder pain?

I have had a lap band since 2005 I also lost a lot of weight at the beginning and gained back... Problems with breathing made me empty the band and I am removing it next tuesday. (July 11th) the insurance will pay for the removal and I will pay cash for the sleeve. I am so very terrified of this procedure but I need to do something.. or I will get to 300lb.. there is no limit for me when I eat, I am a food addict.

Look for another doctor, ask for help, your band should be taken out and I believe your insurance will cover that. Best of luck