Dilated Esophogus

Ok, yes, I was on here a few months ago with this same complaint.  I went back to see the dr and he says "not yet.  esophagus is still to large to put all your fill back in".  He says I've done great with my weight loss, exceeded statistics.  However, I still need and want to lose another 55 pounds.  He says that may happen over the next 3 years.  AAAAAHHHHHH!!! It can't.  Please someone help.  How do I get the esophagus to go back down to normal?  

This is the drill....

1.  I'm hungry more often, which of course then I eat more.  His solution is to stay hungry for awhile, "it won't hurt you"

2.  I've been depressed because of this and therefore...yes, you guessed it....I eat more and the wrong foods.

3.  I've gained 10 pounds since all of this took place. He's says thats normal. 

4.  I haven't been hungry in years.  I mean not starving.  I don't like this feeling.  I wake up in the morning and my stomach is growling.  I go to bed and my stomach is growling. 

I want my fill back.  Please. Anyone. Everyone.  Give me some insight.

I'm so frustrated.

Sorry to sound negative but as far as I know the only cure for a dilated oesophagus is time. Could you try a plan like Weigh****chers to support you for the moment?

Best wishes, Kate

I cannot afford a program such as WW right now.  Thanks for the suggestion.  I'm lost here.  Do I just eat soups?  How do I get it go back to normal?

Gina

As I understand it ( not personal experience) the idea is simply that removing all fluid from the band will allow foods to move through into the stomach without backing up into the oesopahgus. Without this regular pressure, the tissue should (and often does) shrink back. 

So if you have no fluid at all in the band, soups shouldn't be necessary as any well chewed food will go down. But if you still have some restriction even without fluid, then slider foods would be needed.  So this is down to discussion between you and our doc.

Kate

Has it gone down at all? My suggestion at this point is more managing your symptoms than a cure. First contact your surgeons office and ask the question. They get paid the big bucks after all. Also, check in with Jean M. she knows more about this than I. As well, post your food on her posts on "What are eating" to help you stay accountable.

To manage the symptoms:

Stick with dense protein at all times, but in portions that won't stress that esophogus more than it is. Be sure to add veggies and fruit as tolerated.

Have planned snacks. Protein based, of course.

Use lots of sf popsicles between meals.

Join an online group of over eaters anonymous.

After these things, just do the best you can.

This is really tough and I feel for you.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Sue

Hopefully  by managing the symptoms it will lead to the cure.  That's what I'm looking for.  I did ask the dr questions.  He is not the one who did my surgery - I've been flipped over to him and I really don't care for him much.  In 3 1/2 years this was the first time i've ever met him and he's ....well...i just don't like him.  Anyway, he didn't explain much...just kept saying he didn't feel comfortable putting fill back in.  Not all the fill is out, but enough that I surely notice it. 

Over the weekend, I got rid of all "crap" (christmas goodies) in the house.  I've got protein shakes, fish and chicken and some veggies.  What do you mean by "dense protein"?

Thanks for the help.

Gina

By dense protein I mean meat over eggs or cottage cheese, eggs over shakes, etc. The denser it is the longer it takes to digest it, keeping you satisfied much longer. Liquids and soft foods are not going to last long then starvation strikes. For a snack a hard boiled egg is better than a yogurt. See how it goes? Also, remember to not drink anything for about a half hour before eating and 45min.-1 hr. after.

Aahhhh, stay away from the "mushies".  I do notice that I am fuller much longer when I eat eggs.  However, last night I had fish and green beans and 2 1/2 hours later I was starving. 

Any ideas?

My band was removed over two years ago ( I think )...anyways, I still have issues with Esophageal Motility Disorder & Dysphagia.

Topic: You're not " Stuck " your band is damaging your esophagus
www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4539222/Youre-not-quot-St uck-quot-your-band-is-causing-pressure-on/#4539222

"The esophagus functions solely to deliver food from the mouth to the stomach where the process of digestion can begin. Efficient transport by the esophagus requires a coordinated, sequential motility pattern that propels food from above and clears acid and bile reflux from below. Disruption of this highly integrated muscular motion limits delivery of food and fluid, as well as causes a bothersome sense of dysphagia and chest pain"