vgeller

I know what you are going though. I have my band on July 2006, lost 23 pounds, eat very little and not weight loss. The last year I start having big problems with reflux and food coming oou on the middle of the night. All my friends also are used to me going to the bathroom all the time I eat something..... My Doctor was Dr. Pinnar in Reston, VA. He left and I try to go to other doctors and I spent so much money with tests..... all are normal I have now gastrite and take reflux medicine, but I am not getting better. I want to get this band out but the doctors want money upfront 3,000 and I do not have, I already spend 1,700.00 this year with co-payment... I hate this band......

Thanks, bandwhisper. I wish the doctors can take the time and explain as you did. That is EXACTLY what was happening to me, I infilled my band and next spet is remove, but I do not have money and all the doctors will not do anything withour at least 2,000 in advance..... quote name='bandwhisperer' timestamp='1311268826' post='1642798'] I am a PA and have 4+ years in AGB care, fills, and have performed over 7000 barium swallows. Slippage and prolapse are being used as one in the same and they are NOT. Slippage is when the fundoplication (stitch) breaks loose and the band physically slips downward on the stomach. Prolapse is when stomach from below the band "mushrooms" up through the band, usually caused by an intense vomiting episode. However, both can present the same way. 1. epigastric pain and most described as "pressure" around the lower stenum. 2. Nocturnal reflux, liquids are "rolling" around in the back of your throat when you lay flat on your back at night. This will also make you cough and not sleep well. This is not good! You are at risk of aspiration pneumonia! Get up and sleep in a recliner. 3. Unable to eat solid foods and some liquuids without vomiting up soon after. 4. One day you feel fine and the next day these symptoms appear. See you provider ASAP!!! An unfill will usually correct the symptoms but if your provider does NOT look at it under fluoro, no one will know what happened. The point is, THESE SYMPTOMS ARE C/W 1. SIMPLY A PIECE OF food IS CAUGHT IN THE BAND. 2. THE BAND IS SIMPLY TOO TIGHT SECONDARY TO A FILL OR POSSIBLY SWELLING AT THE STOMA. 3. IT IS A PROLAPSE (MILD TO SEVERE) . 4. IT IS A SLIPPED BAND. iF YOUR PROVIDER DOESN'T LOOK AT IT WITH AN X-RAY OR FLUORO, YOU WON'T KNOW. IF IT IS A PROLAPSE, YOUR BAND WILL ALWAYS PROLAPSE AGAIN AND AGAIN. SLIPS MAY HAVE A CHANCE TO BE REVISED BUT PROLAPSE SHOULD BE CONVERTED INTO A GASTRIC SLEEVE. Prolapse is under reported because providers are NOT using fluoro to diagnose band complications. Simple unfill procedures correct most all band related complications and in the case of prolapse........prolapse is going to be an ongoing problem. Cash pay banders beware.

That is so true. I was Dr. Pinnar patient and paid lots of money. Now I am having big issues with my lap band (hernia/reflux/and damage esofago) and can't find any help. Try to visit his Dad Office (DR. Robert) and they are NOT taking patient from Dr. Eric Pinnar. The Dr that is supossed to attend the patients of Dr, Pinnar just told me that I need to see 2 doctors and pay for 2 consultations on the first day. Never hear that. I am desesperately. I went to a gatrostologist and did EGD but the doctor told me that I need to find a lap band doctor to resolve my problem. Anyone having the same issue?