wait4it

Thank you everyone for your help! I will get copies of the scans so that I have them. My regular doctor is the one who sent me for the independent barium swallow. The radiologist who did the swallow said it was wrong. The bariatric clinic in our area that is associated with my insurance says that they have reviewed the films and that my band is fine. I will give the clinic one more chance to acknowledge the slip and then will go to another clinic. Thankfully we live within driving distance of three other cities that have clinics I could try! It feels wonderful to have support here!

I had a lap band put in 6 years ago and (to make a long story short) it has never worked right. For a long time I thought it was me. I must be doing something wrong. I was ashamed. Recently a doctor finally listened to me and took me seriously and sent me to get a upper gi scan done by a radiologist not associated with a bariatric clinic. I watched the barium swallow and saw how wrong things are. Post surgery my doctor did a barium swallow to check the placement and I watched the barium go into the little pouch and then drip into the bottom portion of the stomach. During the barium swallow that I just had done there was no pouch. You could see the shadow of the band sitting right at the base of my esophagus. It clearly has slipped with time! The bariatiric clinic associated with my insurance and doctor however will not acknowledge that the band is out of place and maintains that it I am doing something wrong! It is so frustrating. I saw the films. I know how different it is than where it was placed. Right now all I want is to get it out! So, I am looking to hear from people who have had a band removed with out help from insurance about how to find a doctor that will give you a reasonable rate for removal. Please tell me what your experience was like and how you found your doctor. If it matters I am located in the midwest (Wisconsin) and am willing to travel!