No More Band Fills...ever

My band is as tight as it can be made.  It's even tighter than they wanted to make it.  It's been that way for months.  Barium won't even go through easily...it too stops.  But I can still eat just as much as always.  Everything I eat now simply builds up in my esophagus, then slowly (probably over several hours) goes through.  I have no sensation of this, no shut off mechanism, no fullness sensation (at least not where it should be), no reflux, and no answers.  The band probably does help slow down the process of digestion, but it is causing my body to work in an unusual manner.  I am now wondering if a THIRD bypass (perhaps a DS) is a possibility, because I am fearful that a rupture on my esophagus could happen. In the meantime, I have been losing albeit ever so slowly.  My concerns are more than my ability to not lose much, but what is happening over the long term with this method.  I think I've exhausted my resources at HCMC.  I don't want to go through this again, but wonder if I should.  I think I have fallen into a category so unique that insurance may question anything else.  I've heard that the U does well with extremely unique cases, but I don't even know where to begin. I think my revision would have worked very well had my esophagus not lost its sensations. I'm kinda bummed about this, but feel good otherwise.  Have you heard of this happening to anyone else? Paul

Wow Paul!  I dont know what to say!  Im sorry that you are having problems. I hope that you can figure it out.  At least you are losing weight slowly.  I am glad that you are feeling good otherwise.  I know a lot of people would take this and give up.  But not you!!  GOod luck in your next step in this journey!

Paul, I am very sorry to hear this didn't work for you, but I will be honest telling you I feel like the DS would be a great surgery for you! I really would encourage you to get in touch with Dr. Buchwald at the UofM, Fairview and go from there. He is the only one who is skilled enough for complex revisions and the DS. I think you have every right to fear esophogus issues and why wait 'til something happens, get it taken care of now so you can enjoy the healthy life you were meant to have! Best wishes!

Paul,

Sorry to hear about what you're going through - how frustrating.  Be deligent...do your research and the right solution will come along.  It can't hurt to see what the U has to say - so why not schedule an appointment and see.  Good luck with it all.  And take care!

WOW!  I don't know what to say!  So I am sending you prayers and hugs!

Wow Paul - so sorry to hear what you are going through. I've heard of dilation of the esophagus, but not to the extent that has happened to you. If they unfilled you for awhile, I wonder if it would get better over time. I hope you can find something that will work for you. Maybe they could help you over at the U of M. Have you ever posted on the main Lap Band board here on OH? Maybe somebody else has experienced this and could give you some input. Good luck! Jean B.

Sorry you're having problems.  Ummmmm why can't they take some of the fluid out?  I mean if you don't have the sensation anyway, wouldn't it be better to be looser so the food can at least go down faster instead of sitting up in your esophagus? Definately look for some further help.  Had another lapband here locally not said to me that I needed to talk to some one else I would have just stuck it out with my leaky band, but someone else looked at my records listened to how I discribed what what going on and realized immediately I had a problem. Keep us posted. Kathleen

I agree U of M and see about a revision to DS.  If you post a message on the revision board, I know there are peeps out there who have had that done and there is only one doc that can do it.   Don't give up!!

Hi Paul-  You need an expert.  Go see Dr. Buchwald at FUMC.  He was doing bariatric surgery when most of what we have here was still in diapers.  He is extremely qualified and doesn't cherry pick the easy cases.  He likes a challenge. If I were in your shoes, I would get that band unfilled before I did any more damage.  Pronto.  Give that esophagus time to get back to normal size. I hope you do some research on the DS.  It's the best hope out there for the SMO and honestly, for anyone with a serious weight problem.  It has the best chance of losing the most weight and even more important, keeping it off.  And you get to live life and eat like a normal person.  No choking, puking, dumping.  None of that!  In exchange you have to take a bunch of supplements every day for the rest of your life.  IMHO, a small price to pay. Check out the DS forum and see what it's all about.  I wish you luck dealing with this problem!

So if I were to pursue the University option, does anyone have an idea how I would approach this?  Would I ask for a referral from HCMC or should I start with my primary?  I would eventually want all my records, but I just don't know how to move over.  I have Health Partners.