itsyvonne

These episodes were filmed in the summer...and she was in the recent Victoria's Secret fashion show which I assume was filmed more recently...and she definitely didn't appear pregnant.

Hey, you are in the wrong forum! This is not a Lap-Band complication ... this belongs in the forum entitled "What you can expect with the Lap-Band." You are NORMAL. Chill. It usually takes AT LEAST 2 or 3 fills to get to the point of being restricted ... longer if you've got a bigger band.

Sounds like you are managing it well now. The only other suggestion I would have is to try full liquids (no solids) until surgery, if you can't move the date of surgery sooner!!! The cough could be symptoms of reflux...so I think you're still suffering and I wish you could move your surgery date sooner. I didn't have nearly as terrible symptoms as you did, yet my surgeon cleared his schedule to replace my slipped band within a week after he saw my upper GI. He didn't really think there was an option to wait. Good luck...take care.

Well, I don't have any comment about the quality of care in Mexico, but I know in Kansas it is no longer worth going to Mexico because the cost of getting the band plus 1 year follow-up is about $11,000.

As far as I know, it would be an EXTREMELY UNLIKELY event for the band to slip UPwards. I don't know if it is even possible when the correct surgical technique (e.g., Pars flaccida) is used. You could feel like you have less restriction with it slipping DOWN, because your stomach would be able to hold more food. However, typically, you would also have other symptoms, like reflux due to the inefficient emptying of your stomach... Maybe you have a leak and you lost saline because of that. Anyway, I hate to speculate too much ... you need to get to the bottom of this with your doctor. Please keep us updated! -Yvonne

Well, I hope your band didn't slip and you simply need more saline! Usually slippage does not cause you to lose restriction - in fact, it's usually the opposite (increased restriction, reflux, etc.).

Well, the stitch prevents the band from slipping DOWN. I just wondered what the medial side is ... sounds like "middle" to me, but that's not really a "side," so I'm confused. -Yvonne

Do you mean local anaesthetic? I think it is a fairly minor procedure ... but if you are worried, definitely ask the doctor for more details!

I have new info direct from my surgeon regarding this special stitch. The stitch is below the band on the medial side. She said that most who are using the Inamed band are teaching this technique. There is not an official name, but they call it the transfixion stitch. P.S. What is the "Medial" side of the stomach?

I believe that what Melody describes is way beyond something that can be solved w/dietary changes and/or medications. Going to the length of purging on a nightly basis is a big red flag. I hope she gets herself to the doctor for an upper GI as soon as possible.

My understanding is that the anterior slip is normally what people mean when they talk about slippage symptoms nowadays, and that the posterior slip is pretty much nonexistant since the pars flaccida technique became routine (since about 2002). Your symptoms don't sound typical of slippage. I saw you posted you had an upper GI recently and you were told you have a leak. Is that still the case?

What a horrible problem to have. I know how I felt w/my first band - like life was unfair that I should be cursed with reflux and unable to get adequate restriction because of the reflux. This problem seems similarly aggravating (but worse in terms of what you have had to suffer)! I hope you find a resolution. Take care, Yvonne

I had trouble as soon as I got restriction (third fill - about 4 mos. into banding). That's when I started getting reflux. I had a slight unfill, which helped. Then the problem came back ... eventually got so miserable that I had a complete unfill. Had a respite for a few months (no fills), then started having problems again even though my band was completely unfilled. I think that is when my band slipped - or the slip worsened. I tried to put up w/the problems for several months, eventually got so bad that I had an upper GI and discovered the slippage. I then had my band replaced at 2.5 years post-op first band. I think that my band probably slipped slightly early on, and then just worsened over time - but it's hard to say for sure why I had so much trouble w/my first band (Midband - placed by Dr. Frering in France). I have had no trouble w/my current band (9.75 cm Lap-band), and I'm 2 years post-op on my second band.

I've never understood that asparagus warning in the book ... I eat it regularly...it doesn't cause any problems for me. Salmon on the other hand - I had one of the worst PB's EVER with salmon. Just a lone cry in the wilderness in support of asparagus.