Ask Dr. Curry?

I'm not sure it's related to banding or weight loss at all, I've never seen it before.  I would see your PCP, maybe get a referral to a rheumatologist.

I was surprised to wake up from surgery and find out I had been glued vs stapled.  Seems to be working fine, so no complaints, but how do they remove the glue? or do they?

Thank you,
Lisa

Good question, I have some on my incisions too.  I figure it'll just wear off.  I've never used the stuff before.

 was filled 3 weeks ago. I probably have 7 or 7.5 in a 10cc band. The fill was not aggressive, although they removed all prior fluid to see how much I had and then pushed it back in before adding the new fill. Only .7 cc, I think. For three weeks, beginning about 2 days after my fill, at night I have been having severe reflux.  I thought it would go away, but it keeps getting worse. Last night I was up from 4 am to 7 am coughing like mad. Clearing my throat. I also felt like I pulled a throat muscle in my neck last night, i hurt at the base of my throat. I called the center that does my fills and they said I need to come in today. They said they are pretty sure it sounds like I have a dilated esophagus and they will need to unfill. Does anyone know how much they will unfill? They also said they need to see if I flipped my band which would require emergency surgery. What?! My insurance doesn't cover this, I had my band put in in Mexico. If this is the case, does anyone know if I have time to go to Mexico for the surgery? I'm sure it would be much cheaper. Please give ANY advice you can. I leave for KC at 2 p.m. from work CST. Thank you!

It's probably just too tight, most times an unfill will do the trick.

Hello Dr. Curry,

I went to see my surgeon yesterday for a fill (haven't had one since 02/08) since I have recently gained about 10 pounds (was down 74 before the weight gain). I had my band placed 9/06.  I have been under a great deal of stress since Christmas due to a gravely ill parent, going to school and two young children.  The weight gain started in February probably from emotional eating.

After trying to fill me .2 CC, I could not drink water and had that unfilled.  He took put the same amount in that I had before. My doc told me that I might be too tight and the gurgling sound he heard indicates I might have dialated my esophogus.  He said that this may have caused maladaptive eating where I was craving nuts and snacks.  He said that I should be able to get back to liquids and the esphogus can go back. 

My question is based on info on the boards, should I have more taken out?  If so, can I wait until my appointment next month? Now  that he mentioned the maladaptive eating, I agree that I have been too tight, have occasional vomiting, nausea, not able to eat much (two bites) and had maintained the weight loss until last month when all of a sudden I could eat more and did.   What should I be able to eat with adequate restriction?  How do I know if I'm too tight?  How do I fix this maladaptive eating before it gets worse?  I think I have been in this mode for over a year, I don't know how to eat properly any more.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mari S.

Usually in patients with maladaptive eating and dilated esophagus, we completely unfill the band for a month then reassess.  It's hard to go back to healthy food choices, it takes a lot of work.

Hey Dr. Curry,

Give us an update on your progress with the band so far. 

Jan

I'm down 13 lbs to 197.  Haven't seen that weight since 1985!