Esophageal dilatation and the band--???

 OK, over the past year I have had 4 fills and 4 unfills . . . seems my esphogus gets to a point where it just stretches and refuses to push food through.  By the time I get to the soft burp, it isn't one and I slim a bunch until it all comes up.  I keep getting reassured that rest and it will stop, but I have lost my faith.  Are you aware of this problems and does this mean the band is now doomed?  Seems I have had 2 months in where I struggle and struggle and then it gets let out . . . I see my bariatric surgeon tomorrow.  It is now very, very painful to access my port.  I do eventually go beyond sliming to where I am vomiting gastric acid and having reflux after a while.  I know we need to have a little talk, but I am frustrated and wondering what to do.  

No it won't neccesarily stop. Many of us have had to either loosen or empty our bands to keep from having those problems. Just another one of those things the band makers "forgot" to mention!

The function of the esophagus is to transport food from the mouth to the stomach. For food to be transported efficiently and correctly, the muscles of the esophagus must coordinate in a very structured fashion to transport food to the stomach while ensuring that the stomach contents do not escape. An esophageal dysmotility disorder is one in which this process has been disrupted. These types of disorders can prevent food from being delivered to the stomach or cause stomach contents to be regurgitated. These problems can lead to esophageal dysmotility symptoms such as chest pain, pain when swallowing or the feeling of a permanent lump in the throat.

This is a common injury caused by the lap band and one we try to warn pre-ops about. There is no way to prevent it from happening either. This has nothing to do with being compliant with the band rules and please do not allow your surgeon to place the blame on you.

It's time for your band to come out, please do not let him revise you back to the band, as this will only become worse. I speak from personal experience.

Click on the link in my siggy and spend some time before your appt tomorrow reading up on our many experiences with esophageal dysmotility disorders.

Thank you both for your honesty.  I will read the links.  Is it possible to be revised to a vertical sleeve?

Yes, it is possible, I was revised to a sleeve this past May.

I also revised from band to sleeve. I had my revision in December and I am so thankful for it. I have lost more weight (and haven't vomited once!) in the 9.5 months that I've had my sleeve than in the nearly 3 years I had my band. Actually, by the time I revised I had gained back any weight that I had ever initially lost with the band, so it was like starting fresh.

Anyway, best of luck to you. I hope you are able to revise if that is what you choose to do. I know it was the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Lindsey

It is usually possible to revise to a sleeve but your have to meet with the surgeon and he/she will determine that.

Do NOT let your surgeon tell you this is their fault. I had a lump in my throat the moment I woke up from surgery and now 4+ years later it's gotten so bad that I have to take this thing out.

Wish someone had told me everything I know now. NEVER would have had this thing at all.

~Wish someone had told me everything I know now. NEVER would have had this thing at all.~

Oh how many times I have said the same thing! PLEASE continue to tell your story on OH so hopefully you can pay it forward and save someone else from going through what you have been through!

Good luck Lynmarie!

I was told by my surgeon that I should be able to eat anything I did before the surgery just more carefully.  He said if I have difficulty in swallowing, can't get food to go down or if I throw up, I need to come in right away.  I have a doctor that doesn't just shrug things off.  He even told us that some people just aren't compatible with the band and they don't know who is or who isn't till after surgery.   

If you ask me trying to keep getting filled and then throwing up is just going to make things worse.  I would stop all the fills and tell him you want to revise.  I don't think you will ever be able to function with the band.  It seems you are one of the unlucky ones that aren't compatible.  Good luck

After 2 years I started with an esophageal dilation and turned into a full blown slip.  Don't let your doctors office tell you it's your fault, you need to have all the fluid removed from your band immediately to let your stomach heal.  The more acid you are bringing up, the more damage you're doing to your esophagus.

I revised to the sleeve in March and my esophagus is finally healing.  Good luck!