Gastric band

[bambi01]

I am two weeks away from having a gastric band fitted by a specialist bariatric surgeon at a private medical facility.  In the meantime through my usual doctor I have been referred to an ENT specialist as I have had difficulty breathing for some time and upon mild exertion become very breathless although I recover quickly.  It feels as though I have someting spongy in my throat however chest x rays, thyroid tests and heart indicate all is normal.  Last week I had a CT scan and today I viewed the film with my ENT specialist and all seemed fine until we saw my liver which has a cyst/tumour approx 1.5cm on the outer edge.  My specialist has ordered an ultra sound and says that my breathing problem may be linked to the cyst/tumour because of the vega nerve.I am overweight due to the fact that I have bi-lateral Meniere's disease and for the past 13 years suffered with catastrophic vertigo attacks resulting in several lengthy stays in hospital.  As a last resort my specialist eventually tried steroids and the vertigo attacks stopped almost immediately. Unfortuantely I put on 5 stone in as many months.  WILL THE GASTRIC BAND OR FITTING OF IT EXACERBATE THE VEGA NERVE PROBLEM?    Many thanks Bambi

[bambi01]

Thank you so much for your advice. Bambi 01

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

The exacerbation of the vegal nerve problems needs to be addressed by your general surgeon who is performing the banding procedure. While I doubt that this will be a problem, I am not an expert in this area, which is truly not a plastic surgical issue.