Stretched Esophagus Problem

 I'll try to make this brief.  I'm searching for information about Stretched Esophagus  side effect and I can't find anything except a cryptic line on the Lap-Band website.   I'm looking for what causes it.  How it is treated.  How does this condition effect the long range effectiveness of the Lap-Band?  What is the experience of anyone else with this?   My question is personal.  I was banded Dec 1 2009.  My surgeon's post surgery protocol was a 6 weeks transition to regular food after surgery and I followed that to the letter.   After that 6 week period I followed all the rules and ate small portions 1/2  to 1 cup max for 5 months.  Only twice did I ever have food come up.  No bingeing or inappropriate foods.  I continued to do shakes, bean soups out of preference.  Chew, chew, chew.   Usually 6 small meals. I have lost weight steadily since I was eating small portions of low cal/low fat foods.  Meeting regularly with the dietitian.  Lots of inches lost.  I never felt anything amiss.   After 5 months of losing weight steadily every week I went in for my first fill.  I was very proud of myself and looking forward to being able to go back to 1/2 cup portions or smaller.  At first the surgeon was telling me how he could see how much weight I had loss.  Then the surgeon told me that I had a stretched esophagus.  I could see it on the fluoroscope.  The barium was jumping around in a huge area.  I was stunned as I had considered myself a model patient.     I had never heard of Stretched Esophagus before the diagnosis  and I was stunned.  I wasn't able to find out much from the surgeon at that time.  I asked him about the cause and he suggested that perhaps it was related to my prior open heart surgery but that seems strange.  The only treatment that I was given was to go on liquids for 4 weeks.  First week was clear liquids.     I am coming to the end of a 4 week fluids only recommendations and I will be meeting with the surgeon in a few days.  During this "recovery " time I have been limited to 4 - 6 oz.     I'm looking for more information on this condition and what questions to be asking of my surgeon. Are there articles or other resources?  What if it stays stretched?  

HI,

I had the same problem referred to as esophageal dilatation. This is an excerpt off the website for Dr. Pleatman in Michigan:

What is esophageal dilation?

This is when the esophagus enlarges over time, and is probably related to either too tight a Band, or possibly improper placement of the Band around the junction of the esophagus and stomach. This requires loosening or removal of the Band.

I had both esophageal and pouch dilation and removal of the band at 5 years out and revision to VSG. My esophagus still has some issues to due banding. I hope this helps!!

Babs

Hi Babs.  I am also considering revision to VSG or Gastric Bypass.  My doctor however said since my esophagus is stretched, I will still be able to eat more food and it won't work for me.  Did it work for you...the revision?  I hate that I was filled completely shut but didn't know it. And now have been gaining my weight back.  Thank you for your help.

 

Dee  

Thank you so much for replying. How did the esophageal dilation effect you on a day to day basis? I am fearful that the Band isn't going to work for me. I've been dieting to lose the weigh so far but that won't work in the long run I fear.

Did you have the revision at the same time as the Lap-band removal or did you have to wait?

Was your stretched over that 5 year period? It's only 5 months out and before the first fill.

I think MWG also has an esophageal problem as a result of the band. U might PM her.

 I don't know how to find WMG.  I did try to search for her but couldn't find her.  

It was a typo. I ment MWG (Midwesterngirl):

www.obesityhelp.com/member/midwesterngirl/ 

Just send her a PM and I'm sure she can give u some info on esophageal complications.

My esophageal problems are different, I never had a dilated esophagus, I just vomited so much and so hard I damaged it. I have to think carefully or I choke when I swallow.

Dilated pouches are usually from overeating or a band that is too tight. The treatment is typically an unfill and liquids. It will go back to normal size but the thing you want to remember is that once you dilate your pouch or esophagus it is verrrry easy for it to happen again. Basically you are using your esophagus as an extended stomach.

I'm a bit surprised that you are having this problem, it usually happens later in the game than 5 months. Just take it easy and give it time, it should go back to normal in a few weeks.

What are the symptoms of the dilated esophagus?

 
Usually just an ability to eat more food.  The esophagus is dilated, it's bigger so there is more room for more food.