Question:
noy bring able to sleep because of vomiting and extreme amount of flem reflux

I have had my band for 3.5 years.....I am experiencing some difficulties that I would like to share....and receive any feed back from you if you have experienced any of these symptoms......I find that everytime I lay down and fall asleep I am awakened with fluid shooting out my nose or acid reflux.....it is sometimes a mucous like substance or food. This not only will go on all night but has caused me drhydration with chills and fever and some verdigo..... I have tried many home remedies and they have worked for a 3 days to a week.With these remedies from advil and prilosec to allergies pills and cough syrup...I end up then having to fight constipation with a combination of prune juice and fiber. I should note I try really hard to get to the gym everyday for 1 hour work out with weights and cardio and then later I walk my dog for at least a mile.....I have been able to do so much with my life since my weight loss that I am afraid to have it loosened or undone......so I would really appreciate it if anyone has had success with ridding themselves of these symptoms.....Vickie    — vickie12 (posted on October 20, 2009)

October 20, 2009
Vickie--I, too, had the lapband done in 2004. I had the same problems you describe. I couldn't sleep (nor could my husband) for probably 6-9 months. I didn't know the coughing at night was from the lapband! That was never a side effect that was mentioned. I thought I had sinus problems or just acid reflux...We raised the head of our bed with bricks and I bought a wedge pillow to sleep on at night. Nothing helped much. I even developed a small hacking cough during the day. I lost 75 lbs. and finally found out it was the lapband that was the cause of these problems. I also began to throw up pretty regularly. In Oct. 2006, I went for an upper GI barium swallow at a diagnostic center. They immediately contacted my lapband surgeon and my lapband was removed by emergency surgery that day! My stomach had distended (ballooned out) above the band. My surgeon promised to replace the lapband when my stomach had "rested" for 3 months. However, I had to totally qualify with my insurance all over again. This took over a year and I'd gained back the 75 lbs. plus more! In that time I had second thoughts about redoing the lapband since I'd had so much pain and trouble with it. I researched gastric bypass surgery (RNY) and went to another surgeon. In May, 2008, I had gastric bypass surgery and have lost 105 lbs with no problems whatsoever. Wish I'd done this to start with. I'm so sorry you're going through all those problems! I never found out for sure what caused mine. They said the band could have slipped out of place, or it may not have been put in the right location to start with. Also, I developed a hernia at the port site because of all the hard coughing I did during my sleep. I suggest going for a test (upper GI barium swallow) to make sure your band is where it should be. If it has to be removed, I'd try to find a surgeon that does revisions and get it redone or changed to another procedure all at the same time during the same surgery. Wish I'd known to do that. Instead I had surgery to put in the lapband, hernia surgery, surgery to remove the lapband, then gastric bypass surgery. I hope my story will help someone not have to go through all that...Good luck to you!!
   — ksp1155

October 21, 2009
I had the same thing too. OMG I was on vacation and didnt know it was from that either. Honestly you need to call your doctor asap. Dont be scared. If you dont wait too long, they can remove some saline and let it calm down. Dont ignore it!!! Let me know what happens..... What kind of band do you have?
   — Linda R.

October 21, 2009
My story is not so frightening as the other two. I knew I had a hiatal hernia prior to my Lap-Band surgery in 2004. It was not severe enough to require extra surgery to correct when they placed on my Lap-Band. After about 3 years, I began to have problems with gastric reflux. What I did to avoid that was to be esp. careful not to overeat (which we all should be doing anyway) and not to eat at least 2-3 hours before bed-time. I got a prescription for medication to control my acid reflux. For me, the most effective choice turned out to be Previcid solutabs. You place them under the tongue to dissolve. I received relief within 15 min., and it was easy to take with me. I only had to use it when I was having problem, instead of every day. They were a little more expensive, but were so worth it. If the problem manifests more often than 1-2 times a week, I simple contact my surgeon to have a little bit of fluid taken out of my pouch. That does the trick. I just have to be careful not to get too much fluid added when I have a "fill". If necessary, I'll go in two times a month, instead of once, so that I can get the fluid added in smaller increments. I hope that helps. God bless.
   — KimM

October 21, 2009
I wanted to add some advice to my previous note. At 5 years post-op, I still see my surgeon every 1-2 months. Of course I don't need to adjust my fluid much any more (I'm at goal weight). I have been adding or subtracting tiny amounts of fluid only once every 3 or 4 months. It is good to keep in contact with your surgeon, so he knows how you've been doing in case something comes up he needs to deal with. Also, as a support group leader, I've noticed that the members of our group who see the surgeon regularly, are more successful with their weight loss and maintenance.
   — KimM