Ask Dr. Curry

Everybody does things differently, we try to be reasonably aggressive about fills but some surgeons feel that this could increase the slip rate.  No studies support this to date that I know of though.

Hi Dr. Curry - question about Crohn's Disease.  I read somewhere online that Crohns would be a contraindication to having lap band surgery.  Why is this, and would there be any problem if someone developed Crohns Disease after having the band placed?

I don't think it's a problem as long as you don't need steroids frequently.  It's hard for anyone to lose weight who need chronic steroids.

Hello. I was just wondering if you knew of any band patients that have neuromuscular diseases and how have they done with the band? I got Polio from the vaccine when I was 7 and go to the gym 4 times a week with a trainer. We do weight training because I cannot do conventional cardio. We are able to get my heart rate up but its a slow process. I'd just like to compare notes with someone. Thanks

I don't see any reason why you couldn't be successful with a band, but it'll definitely take some work.   You may not burn as many calories in a given day as a more mobile patient.

Dr. Curry,

I am 17 months out from surgery and I have not had any problems other than what I think is slow weight loss although I think that's mostly me being impatient.  I have had only 1 fill, which was last September six months after surgery.  I wasn't really hungry before the fill but got it anyway which was at 5ccs.  I experienced some PBing (which I had never experienced before that) but it was rare.  Lately, I have been PBing a lot.  I can eat at least 1.5 cups of food in a sitting if it isn't meat.  (Like salad greens I can eat a lot of in one sitting.)  Eating anything cold feels really good going down.

My question:  Just this weekend I have been experiencing heartburn.  I have cut my coffee down since last weekend, and anything acidic, but still have heartburn.  I took some Pepcid at night and that seemed to make it calm down some.  I have been drinking lots of water and sugarless tea.  Do you recommend going totally liquid/mushy foods until it resolves in case I have developed an issue with dilation?  I do have an appointment with my surgeon but it's not until August 24th so I wanted to try to mitigate whatever this is.

Thanks for any help.

We usually recommend OTC prilosec and avoiding eating for 3 hours prior to bedtime.  If this doesn't work then you'll probably need an upper GI +/- an unfill.

Hello Dr Curry,

I have a question regarding red meat.. Is it common not to be able to tolerate red meat.  I had a fill a month ago and have noticed that when I eat any type of red meat I am unable to keep it down.  It feels like it is stuck in my throat and the only way I can feel better is by vomiting.  I know that I shouldn't be doing this but I have very sensitive gag reflexes.  Will I ever be able to tolerate it again?  Thanks for your thoughts on this matter.

This is pretty common.  You have to cut it in tiny bites, chew really well, and eat slowly. Some band patients, no matter how hard they try, just cannot tolerate meats.

Red meat is commonly not tolerated well by band patients.  If you cut it into really small pieces, chew it really well, and dip it into some kind of lo carb/lo cal sauce it's a lot more likely to go down.