Medical Concerns 13 years out

[Sweetie0802]

I am new to the site but am hoping to get some guidance to a few problems I am experiencing. I had the Lap Band installed in either 2009 or 2008(I don’t exactly remember), I did not lose a ton of weight but did drop from 298 to around 225(I fluxuate between 223 and 228) and have mananged to keep the weight off all this time. I stopped getting adjustments to the band or having checkins about a year after the surgery. I had not had any major problems until 12 years post surgery. About a year ago, I started experiecing issues with regurgitation(sometimes when I sleep) the inability to tolerate food and drink(no rhyme or specific food that causes it) acid reflux, digestive problems, thick saliva that blocks food from going and staying down and other concerns. Despite eating less thanI normally do though, my weight has not decreased any. I went to see my PCP when I first started experiencing these symptoms and was sent to a GI specialist. Now almost a year later, thousands of dollars spent, multiple test ran(Upper Endoscopy, Gastric Emptying, colonoscopy) and they still have no idea what is wrong with me. After a random conversation with a coworker about it, she told me her sister experienced the same symptoms prior to passing. They were told it was due to complications from the LapBand. I have been reviewing some materials online which leads me to believe my LapBand may have slipped out of place. Has anyone else experienced these concerns? If so, what steps did you take? Please advise and thanks.

 

[eladams2015]

Yes... I had these issues - in fact, my band was actually eroding into my stomach. The "go to" revision for this is gastric sleeve - please do NOT get the sleeve. Sleeve on its own has high risk of GERD/reflux, but when you get it following lap band, that incidence multiplies significantly. I did not know this and initially was revised to sleeve... I was so miserable with reflux that I could not sleep flat, multiple meds, no relief, and could not stomach real food. I ended up having to have a 3rd surgery to go to bypass.

 

[JudyNY]

I had the same problem with my lapband. My doctor took all the restriction out to remedy regurgitation during the night which helped but then I gained the weight back rapidly. I had the lapband removed and went with the sleeve as I didn't have any problems with acid reflux. But I agree with eladams2015, it's probably better for you to get the bypass.

I do know people who have had to have emergency surgeries because their band had slipped. I would suggest going back to your bariatric doctor or try someone new, preferably designated as a Center of Excellence.

Good luck and welcome to the group.