Gaining all weight back! Failed band results!

Carol you need a partial unfill ASAP! You are too tight and the longer you stay tight the more prioblems you will have. Even a tiny unfill sometimes helps and does the trick. If youu stay too tight you develop soft food syndrome where all you can eat are soft mushy foods and those are ususally high in calories and you end up either not losing or gaining. I've been there and trust me it only gets worse! I would advise you go on liquids for a day or so to let you stomach rest and get uninflamed from the acid. Then as soon as possible get in for a tiny unfill. People that keep their bands too tight often end up with permanent esophogeal damage. Good luck, you have the band so try to work with it until you can maybe get a revision.

All those " stuck episodes " & vomiting are putting you at a greater risk for more serious and life threatening injuries/diseases. You should get that band out as soon as you can. Do not believe " stuck episodes " and vomiting are something normal that is to be endured because you have a band. Your band is damaging your esophagus and putting you at risk for serious complications.

A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition:.

Obesity. A number of studies suggest that obesity contributes to GERD, and it may increase the risk for erosive esophagitis (severe inflammation in the esophagus) in GERD patients. Having a large amount of fat in the abdomen may be the most important risk factor for the development of acid reflux and associated complications such as Barrett's esophagus and cancer of the esophagus, studies indicate. Researchers have also reported that increased BMI is associated with more severe GERD symptoms. Losing weight appears to help reduce GERD symptoms. However, gastric banding surgery to combat obesity may actually increase the risk for, or worsen symptoms of GERD.

www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/introduction-000085_3-145. html

GERD, often known as acid reflux disease, occurs when stomach contents regularly back up into the esophagus. When the stomach acid irritates the esophagus, it often causes heartburn. Some individuals who suffer from GERD develop a condition called Barrett's esophagus, when the lining of the esophagus is damaged by stomach acid, which can also increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/234982.php

Esophageal motility disorders

Esophageal motility disorders are not uncommon in gastroenterology. The spectrum of these disorders ranges from the well-defined primary esophageal motility disorders (PEMDs) to very nonspecific disorders that may play a more indirect role in reflux disease and otherwise be asymptomatic. Esophageal motility disorders may occur as manifestations of systemic diseases, referred to as secondary motility disorders.

Esophageal motility disorders are less common than mechanical and inflammatory diseases affecting the esophagus, such as reflux esophagitis, peptic strictures, and mucosal rings. The clinical presentation of a motility disorder is varied, but, classically, dysphagia and chest pain are reported. In 80% of patients, the cause of a patient's dysphagia can be suggested from the history, including dysmotility of the esophagus. Before entertaining a diagnosis of a motility disorder, first and foremost, the physician must evaluate for a mechanical obstructing lesion.

Esophageal motility disorders discussed in this article include the following:

• Achalasia
• Spastic esophageal motility disorders, including diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), nutcracker esophagus, and hypertensive LES
• Nonspecific esophageal motility disorder (inefficient esophageal motility disorder)
• Secondary esophageal motility disorders related to scleroderma, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, psychiatric disorders, and presbyesophagus

Next Section: Pathophysiology

I'm three years out today and right there with you.  I had a good one year run than all the medical issues started.  With the band I choose between hunger and pain.  There is no in between.  I have talked all those I know out of band surgery into sleeve surgery after much research.  It is to late for me.  I can't get a sleeve.  My primary wants the band out due to the problems it causes but, the surgeon still wants to "give it another try".  Why!  But, I keep trying.  I don't want to have nothing after all I've been thru but, I don't recomenned the band to anyone.

The band has only renforced the worst of my eating habits.  No full filling no satisfaction.

After 17 fills and 4 partial unfills, no "sweet spot" here either. It' s been a complete waste of time and money!

I would strongly suggest you NOT listen to your Dr. about the "give it another try" B.S. If it were going to work, it would have worked by now! And I feel it's imperative that if you want to revise, you do it as soon as possible since many insurance policies are now starting to add a "one WLS per lifetime" clause.Hopefully yous has not done this YET.

 Mark I'm in the same place. Gaining and losing the same 30-35 pounds over and over for the last 3+ years. I'm so disappointed in myself and in the band.  I never feel full. Just hunger and pain.  I don't have any advice for you but know you are not alone. 

I've never been full either unless it's too tight. My band has NEVER worked the way it was advertised! You know, "full sooner, full longer". Never happenened! You might think about joining the FB failed band forum. The link is in my signature line.

That so sums up my three years with the band.  Just want to add that the staff at the center told me I was one of the BEST band patients that they had.

Band =hunger and pain.  No "sweet" spot"

Mark, now you know why most of us call it the crap band.

I'm really confused now about what your post of January 24 meant.  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4601161/I-see-noth ing-has-changed/This is an open forum and people don't always agree...much has changed in the almost 5 years I've been coming here.  More bands are being removed now, at an ever increasing pace due to complications we didn't even know could happen.  There are still some members that will not allow a civil discussion or post that is intended to inform, not intimidate.  The Realize Forum is all but dead, this forum is quieter and quieter, because fewer and fewer people are getting bands and more and more are removing, revising or both.  

I, for one, am thankful for the band helping me to lose, but very concerned about my future with or without it.  I'm anti-band for preop newbies, those who have one and are trouble free; keep at it, those who have serious complications have my empathy...those who stick their head in the sand and promote it to preops need to start dealing with reality.  The band, as we know it will be obsolete...very soon.

 Thanks to everyone for the replies. They've been very informative and helpful, if for no other reason I don't feel so alone with the lack of progress. Just a few more points: I can't exercise anymore because I have already maxed that out (5 miles  of speed walking, 500 push ups, 100 sit ups - 5 days per week.); I'm an emotional eater and this has taken a toll on my emotions - more junk food; my Dr. is very laid back and whenever I complain that things aren't working as I thought, he just encourages me to eat more protein and maybe another adjustment - I've done both; I think I will just go back to Weigh****chers and fight the urges. Again, thanks to everyone for the helpful replies.
Mark