Ask Dr. Curry?

Hi dr. Curry,

I have been talkig to my surgeon and he is concerned that the band is causing acid reflux.  We are checking for everyting but if this turns out to be the case I will have to have it removed since the medication is not aleaviting the problem.

According to my surgeon I then have 2 choices
1.  simpley remove the band - and continue with dieting etc.  I did loose about 70 lbs wiht exercise, diet changes, and keeping up wiht accountability at the dr. office. I have also been working on personal issues that have changed my self image to the better.

2. Convert to gastric bypass at hte time of surgery.  He said I am aa good candidate, fewer health reisk now that in July when I was banded since I am down another 57 lbs and been exercising.

My questions is have you ever had to remove a band and if so what was the success of weight loss with both choices?  Trying to "get my head around this" (as my surgeon says) and wanting some informatin to help base my decision on.  I will tell you I have never been comfortable with the thought of by-pass; although we had not discussed it before my last appointment my surgeon was alreay aware that is scarres me.  I am seriously hoping it is the galbladder or something else but I get the feeling my surgeon is not convenced that is the case.

I guess I am mostly concerned with sustaining weight loss either way.

Thanks in advance for any assistance,  I know this is only one source and plan to use it as part of my decision.  I do trust my surgeon and will ultimately weigh his opinion very heavely.  He is very caring and only wants to do what is best for me all around.

Thank you again for any information,
Michele S.

Monday I went in to get a fill. Just beacause I have been eating more then I could before I lost some more weight so doctor said that I probably need a fill. ANYWAY, Monday I get a fill of 1/2 cc because I had resriction, just was eating more often then I was a month before. so he puts 1/2 cc in and I do the water test and it starts to gurgle. So, he makes me wait in the waiting room to see if I can keep the little bit of water down. So, I wait and the water ends up coming back up. So, I go back and have him take some out. He said that he took out 1/2 of what he put in, so instead of 1/2 cc I have 1/4 cc, did the water test and everything was fine.
TODAY I started eating again, not just liquids. So, I'm eating diner and I ate all of it! I had a 4 oz steak ( VERY TENDER) small bites 1/4 cup of mashed potato and 1/4 cup of corn. Everything went down and I didn't feel full at all!!! I was satisfied but not full like I was when I had my restriction before. So here I am freaking out, saying to my DH what is wrong, I don't feel full, so I grab a slice of bread, take a big bite of that and NOTHING, before it would get stuck, today NOTHING..didn't bother me at all!!!!
I'm wondering what the heck is wrong? Should I be worried??

Hi Dr. Curry,

I'm very concerned about not being successful with my lap band surgery.  I was banded in July of 2008 and so far I've had 3 adjustments and 2 un-adjustments.  The first adjustment went fine.  The second adjustment I could not eat anything but could only chew on ice cubes.  Not even juice.  I went back TWICE to get unfilled before I could eat anything.  Needless to say I didn't loose any weight and actually gained during the holidays.  Then last week I went back and the same thing happened, I could only take 2 teaspoons of water at the time, I could not even swallow juice.  I went back for a mini-unfill, and now I'm too loose and can eat rice and whatever.  Do you suppose there is something wrong with me, or are my doctors not really taking care of how they are doing the fills.  Am I being overfilled or could I really be having other issues like gastritis or esophagitis, and does this mean I won't be successful with my band.  Please help me I'm very desperate.

Thank you!

Hi, thank you for your time.  Many of us are having surgery soon and wonder the pros and cons of the lap band verses the realize band.  I am getting banded on 1-28-09 would love your suggestions.  Thanks