Almost 5 yrs out and have a question

In my situation, I started complaining IMMEDIATELY to my surgeon (kemmerling, Green Bay, WI). His way of "helping" was to tell me to get a hobby. He ignored my complaints of being in the worst pain I'd ever felt in my life. Told me to deal with it, it was normal. He implied that I must be doing things wrong, I must be eating things I shouldn't be eating (in spite of my having told him that I COULD NOT eat solid foods, no matter what, ever. Under any cir****tances. No saline in my band, but still couldn't swallow my own saliva... but it was my own fault, somehow, inexplicably.)

It took me a full 6 months to realize what a craptastic "surgeon" he was and find a new surgeon (Dr. Santiago Horgan) who actually did help me. He was disgusted by the inaction of the first surgeon (and expressed it quite vociferously!)  He operated on me immediately to correct my twisted stomach and kinked bowels. I hadn't had a bowel movement in close to 2 weeks and could barely stand. It was truly awful.

All doctors are NOT created equal, that's for sure. I was about a day from dying when I saw Dr. Horgan... if I had taken kemmerling's "advice," I would have simply stayed in bed, in horrible pain, and died. And it would have been a "shame" and he would have probably expressed his condolences (he does have a lot of Jesus fish in his office... he just doesn't conduct his life in a matter befitting this, unfortunately.) 

And, wouldja believe... I'm considered a "successful bandster" because I lost over 100 pounds? I went from a size 24 to a size 10... even an 8 sometimes. I'm 5'9. I couldn't breathe, eat, poop, move or do much, but I sure was thin!  Today, I'm still 5'9, but in a size 18. I workout daily, I can eat, poop, run around and be myself again. (I sound like a hamster, don't I?)    I'm not thin anymore, but I'm sure a lot happier overall!

 Yes you are very lucky! That surgeon sounds like he was terrible! I am glad you found someone that listened to you finally.

Phyllis I had that problem awhile back and turns out...I was eating too much -- especially at night for my current fill adjustment....as we live with the band with tight restriction we sometimes get complacent on how much we are eating -- especially too close to bedtime....if we continue to eat too much food on a very restricted band this will cause reflux --- and this is what you are describing....

Never try to cover this up if this is happening to frequently, it might merit a little bit of saline removed to ease symptoms...but what help me also was chewing a few papaya tablets from GNC to help ease digestion and help move food from the lap band pouch....it will work as long as you don't' have damage or if you or not dangerously too tight...good luck

 Oh yea I remember I have some of those. I forgot I had them and I like the way they taste. I don't believe I am too tight. I have been there..done that a lot. I do think it has something to do with how much and how close to bedtime I am eating. I appreciate all the responses because they do open your eyes to what you might be doing. It is so weird that you can be 5 yrs out and still learning about this journey we are in.

While everyone is giving you sound & great advice, I will add one more. CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!! That's why they are there.

While what you may be experiencing is probably nothing, I always feel it's best to to hear "Oh that's quite normal" instead of "Why did you call me when it first occurred".

Best of luck, and let us know how it turns out!!