Worried about Slippage

tpierce98664 · February 9, 2006

How does one know or do they??? If your band slips???Can your Dr. tell if it has??How do they fix it?? I'm freaked out that if I streach a certain way or roll over on my side at night something will happen...so far so good..1 week in..no reflux I feel like the whole first pregnancy thing..wounds itch like crazy....I see my Dr. tomarrow..any certain questions I should ask him?? When do most people get there first fill? :help:

Anwyn · February 9, 2006

Hi Tina,

Congrats on getting your band! Symptoms of band slippage include vomiting, bad reflux, a sudden increase in restriction or a sudden decrease in restriction. There may be more that I'm not thinking of, but the point is that you'll probably know that something is up. Moving around will NOT slip your band. Neither will standing on your head, having sex, or doing jumping jacks. Not that I'd recommend that - you DID just have surgery after all.

FYI, I believe the first step in diagnosing a slipped band is a barium swallow. That's where they have you drink contrast and then look at your band under x-ray. If you're slipped (depending on the severity) they may give you a complete unfill to see if it will move back into place. If that doesn't do it, surgery is required.

Most doctors do the first fill at about 6 weeks out, but that's a good question for your doctor tomorrow because it can vary a lot depending on whether or not you're losing weight.

Now.... take a deeeeeeeeeep breath. In...... Out....... You're going to be fine!

tpierce98664 · February 9, 2006

Hi Anne,

Thanks for the great info. Just don't let my husband know about the sex thing..I have him convinced that the band will slip..LOL!!!I haven't had any of those symptoms yet. I have awhile left on liquids and try not to drink to fast or gulp. just want to heal.....:sick

Tina

donali · February 9, 2006

From an earlier post:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12148

Common symptoms of slippage:

1. Loss of restriction

2. Gain in restriction

3. Complete obstruction

4. Reflux

5. Onset of frequent vomiting

6. Stomach pain

Diagnostic procedures:

Slippage should be visible through a barium swallow under fluroscopy.

Treatment:

Slippage is generally first treated with a complete unfill, unless the slippage is considered an emergency (complete obstruction). After a week or two, if the slip doesn't correct itself, surgical intervention is required. Either the band is repositioned or replaced.

Causes:

Slippage:

#1 cause of slippage: vomiting/PBing

2. Surgical error.

Speculation:

3. Overeating/pouch packing