Ask Dr. Curry

Dr. Curry,

  I am going to try to make this quick.  I was banded Aug/2005.  I had NO problems for a year 1/2.  Summer of 2007 I started getting heartburn ( a burning in my chest,  I didn't think it was heartburn though.)   My doctor put me on Protonix.   April 2008 I went to the ER for stomach pain(very bad) near my port though.  The ER didn't tell me much but, took out all my saline.   My surgeon wanted me to go for an upper GI and he said the band looked fine.  He also sent me for an endoscopy which I am going again next week.  They did see alot of acid around the band.  They put 3cc in my band again.    ( I have a 4cc band I believe.)  That's what I had in the band  before the ER incident.    Well, when I went to 3cc again I was vomiting in my sleep.  I called my surgeons office after 3 days of this happening they said I was too tight (which I thought did make sense ONLY because I wasn't eating much either.  So they took 1/2 cc out.  So now I have only 2 1/2cc in the band but, now 3 days ago I started spitting up in my sleep again.  The only difference now is I can eat.  So I don't think I am too tight.  I am able to eat meals where before I couldn't.  Could you tell me any other reason that I might be getting sick in my sleep.  I am not spitting up food either it's clear fluid.   Thank you so much for your insight.

Donna

Dr. Curry,

    I have my CD of x-rays you requested to look at but, It seems like I attached it wrong because I recieved  a message saying my e-mail was not delivered. 

      I hate to ask you this but, could you explain to me on how to send it.  Sorry!!!  I couldn't see any place here to attach anything.  

     By the way my surgeons office called me today and said they want me to come in and have the fluid taken out of the band.    I don't know why because I can eat with no problem.  She said after the surgeon looked at my Endoscopy he feels I am too tight.   Very confused about this. 

Thank You so much
Donna 

  

Dr. Curry,
     I just have a question that is been bothering me lately.  I have been banded 3 years and am down 190 lbs to date and still losing.  My concern is I was diagnosised with a hiatal hernia (sp?) a few months ago when I had an upper GI due to heartburn.
     My concern is can this as it is or could it get worse cause my band any issues at all.  I will tell you I have a 4 cc band which was placed in Mexico.  I went out of the country for 2 reasons, 1st I have no health care and 2nd I have Ulcerative Colitis and it is a contraindication to do this surgery in the US.
     The doctor that did order the Upper GI wants to unfill my band which only has .2 cc ( i have an extremely tight band) and just leave things as they are. 
     I do not get heartburn all the time just with certain foods.......I am just very worried that this could have any effect on my band.  Having the hiatal hernia fixed would come with concerns also since I am a high risk for infection.  (have had so many that I have a port in my chest to do home health)  In the last 2 years every sugery I have had has resulted in infection even with antibiotics post op.
Thanks for you help and advice.....what would we do without you??
Thanks
Jan

Dr. Curry

 

Just learned about a weight loss surgery patient (about 4 years out  – by-pass) who passed away from pancreatitis – was this due to her wls – if so can is occur with lapband  patients as well.

 

Dr. Curry,

Thanks for taking the time out to help us. I'm almost 9 months out and I'm at goal. I have a lot of allergies issues and recently had a time with my allergies which caused me to be tighter than normal. I feel like I now have  the drainage under control (with meds), but now my throat hurts. I'm nervous about it being band related. What are the signs of esophagus damage? It could be that the drainage has irritated my throat, but I'd like to educate myself on band related esophagus issues. Any help would be appreciate. Thanks again for your time!!!