Ask Dr. Curry?

Dear Dr Curry,

I was banded 1.5 years ago and have had a very slow loss of around 45 pounds in that time.

Since the beginning I was telling the surgeon that I have port pain and he just kept saying that it would settle. I didn't go back to him for 6 months for a fill because I was too scared to go back because I hadn't lost weight and that he wasn't caring too much about the port pain.

I went a couple of weeks ago and said that I still have the port pain and cant even lay on my stomach or do stretches with yoga and he had no idea what to do and said that I need surgery to replace it.

I had blood tests with my family doctor and they showed raised ferritin levels and ESR Platelets which can be sign of an infection. Is it possible that my port has been infected for 1.5 years?

Thank you, Kind Regards Natasha

Natasha,
I doubt that your port has been infected this whole time, there would surely be some sign of it at the surface by now.  Chronic port pain does happen, I have seen a couple of cases and just moving the port has solved it.

Hi Dr. Curry I have been banded since Oct 2005.  I weighed 315 pounds.  By July last year I got down to 225 pounds.  Still far from goal but was feeling pretty good and still slowly losing.  I started feeling cold, so went to my doctor who diagnosed me with hypothryoidism and put me on Synthroid.  Since then I have gained 40 pounds.  I am not sure if it made my band not so tight or it increased my hunger but I could eat all the time now.  I know medical professionals say it is not possible to gain on Synthroid, and as a pharmacist I understand this. However, there are no other rx's I am on and nothing else has really changed.  Any adivce would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,

Amy Rph.

If you can eat all the time, maybe your band is too loose?  If you are eating soft calories, you need to work on that for sure.  I think you need a detailed food journal for 2 weeks and a consultation with an experienced dietitian, and maybe a band adjustment.

Hope your doing well,where is Dr. Curry ? Have posted some questions no answers,hope you are doing ok from your lap-band

Question what dose this mean? I hope not to loose my band : (

The patient had superficial erosions in the duodenal bulb.The stomach antrum had some mild gastritis. There was a superficial erosion in the mucosa near the lap-band. The entire esophagus,more pronounced distally than proximally,had a white coating circumferentially around. The gastric pouch was unremarkable,except for the boarder with the esophagus where there was this white coating of the lining of the esophagus.

I will see my Dr. Tomorror and will post again after.

Praying my band dont have to come out : (

Dr. Curry - I'm finding it difficult to get in all of my protein in solids vs. liquids.  Since you have a band yourself and I know you are very busy with surgery and caring for patients all the time, can you give a tip on how to get in all your protein without ****ating beyond 20 to 30 minutes and (2) just overeating period?  Thanks, Dr. Curry.

Probably your band is a little too tight if you can't get enough protein in 20 minues.  You have two options really - an unfill so you can eat a little more, or more frequent meals.  Our dietitians really prefer for patients to eat 5 small meals a day.  With this approach you probably only need 12-15 grams per meal.

This could mean a superficial erosion of the lining of the esophagus, or an actual band erosion.  I think it probably means the former, not the latter, which wouldn't be a big deal.  However, as I keep saying, you need to find out from your surgeon.  Good luck!

Hey Dr. C I just wanted to see how you are doing with your lap band? I think all of us here on OH are so interested in how the band is for you. I hope you are going well!

Thanks,
Lindsey

Lindsey,
Thanks for asking - I am doing great!  I have lost 24 pounds, and I weigh now what I weighed when I graduated from high school.  No more reflux, which is awesome!