Ask Dr. Curry

Dr. Curry, I posted a question on the boards earlier but just found your quetion area!  So here goes,  I have been suffering from pretty severe reflux, GERD for several months, almost a year.  I have had my gallbladder removed the end of January, at which time my surgeon said my band and its placement looked great!  I of course was freaked out about a possible slippage, he said all was well.  I was having the reflux before this surgery, obviously, we thought it could be a major cause of the reflux.  The reflux did get somewhat better after surgery, so that was good.  I was taking prevacid st at the time. Over the past couple of months the prevacid has not been working as well and I was switched to protonix.  I am still having the reflux, and as of the past month or so pain after eating and feeling like I need to eat several small meals in order to keep the acid at bay, even though I am being medicinially treated.  I have gone to my pulmonologist today because I have had an awful cough, not only at night but all day,  I was diagnosed with whooping cough that was undetected and untreated that the pulmonologist felt I had about 8 months ago, due to fevers etc. at the time, but he of course is concerned that the cough is still not gone, after antibiotics and steroids, so now he has requested a scope of the stomach and esophagus for ulcer.  I also have to have a ct of my lungs for scar tissue.  My question is will I have to be completely unfilled for the scope and is it uncommon to develop an ulcer with the band?  Thank you for your time   Cathy A.

Cathy, My guess is that you are either a) too tight, or b) have a hiatal hernia that needs to be fixed.

Hello Dr. Curry! A question about the VSG! Most are having 32/34 bougies used in their VSGs now. I know that the stomach will stretch out some but not much more. My question is how will this relate later in life?  As a senior citizen it's harder to digest all of the vitamins/minerals/calories you'll need, there are all kinds of supplements out there.  Should the VSG be made a little bit bigger, say a 38/40 to help combat this later in life? I ask because after my mom had most of her stomach removed due to severe ulcers in the early 70's she stayed at a healthy 135lbs, rarely gaining, if she did she'd cut out some fatty foods. Back in 2003 she had cancer, took treatments and dropped to 107lbs.  Now she's battling to get back up to her 135lbs.  She can't seem to eat big enough meals to get back up to that.  She's lactose intolerant and can't handle the supplemental drinks. Her blood tests are very healthy, in normal ranges. So wouldn't it be better to take longer to lose the weight and not risk this happening later in life? Thanks! GrannyLaLa

I think that the chances for developing problems when you are 70 are less than the chances of regaining weight and having some sort of obesity-related complication if you use a larger bougie.  We don't really know, though...

pretty simple question?  Can I box?  I have had the band 2 1/2 years with no complications at all.  Is it safe to box and possibly be punched hard in the band?

I think it's fine, we have a few black belts and they don't have any problem.  Granted, it might smart if you get punched in the port, but I doubt it'll hurt anything.

Hi, I just would like to ask a Question. I have had my first Doc Visit and, all I had to have test wise was a blood test. My PCP is doing it my BP was high and he changed my meds then BW came back w/ high chol and high thyroid. I have always had thyroid trouble w/ it being low. 
Do you think that will delay them giving me a surgery date?

I really can't speculate for what you surgeon will do...sorry!

Dr Curry,   I have been banded over 2 years and have had a port replaced due to leakage in April '07.  Everything has been great. No problems. The past week I have been having sharp chest pains (right side) after or during my meals. It has become worse and I woke up this morning in pain! I will contact my Dr. for an appt. Is this common?  Any advise? Thanks for your time!!!

Could be band related or possibly your gallbladder.  You might just be too tight.  See your surgeon definitely.