How will you know if your band has slipped or if you've streched it?

[carolel 0]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and recently banded. I'm so afraid that I'll cause my band to slip or stretch it? Does anyone know of signs that would indicate either of these happening?

Thanks, llewis

[carolel 0]

????? I guess no one has any answers?????

[leatha_g 4]

You don't always know. I had a slippage that I wasn't really aware of until I found it during a routine flouroscopy fill. Many others have had the same scenario. Others have had more severe slips which tends to obstruct their esophagus, thus not being able to swallow anything and constant vomiting. Sometimes this comes with moderate to severe pain. Most cases are very individual, depending on the type and reason for the slippage. Some are caused by severe bouts of vomiting, coughing, some are caused by repeated vomiting, due to overeating, underchewing or trying to eat foods not friendly to the band. Some slippages occur due to surgical technique and others just occur, perhaps due to anatomy, etc.

Stretching of the pouch is much more subtle and again, not usually known of until it's seen on an xray. Sometimes, the sign is such that you are aware you are able to eat way too much food. Pouch stretching is not something that happens with one indiscretion, it is something that happens over a period of time. Other symptoms may be reflux at night, due to food sitting above the band and not moving into the lower stomach. This is a pretty clear sign that either your band is too tight, there may be pouch dilitation or even slippage, but always warrants consulting your doctor pretty quickly.

There are actually many threads on this site with much discussion about this topic. There is a 'search' button at the top of the page. Try entering simple words, such as 'slippage' 'pouch stretching' or 'dilitation' etc You'll find all you ever wanted to know. :confused:

[Bella 0]

Question - once the band does slip ... why does it have to come out?:confused:

That's what I've been reading on these threads. It seems ... the band might be precarioius ... and once it 'slips' game over.:cry

I also read that some doctors actually sew the land to the stoma in some way - just to avoid slippage.:plane:

[carolel 0]

Thanks Letha,

You answered many of my questions. I had searched several times by entering keywords but never really found any answers...just similar questions to mine.

What I'm afraid of is.... I'm 11 days out and became very hungry at 7 days out. I called my nutritionist and she said to go ahead and advance to my 3-4 week diet of ground meats because I was doing very well. No nausea, vomiting.....nothing adverse. Anyway... even with her telling me this..I'm afraid to advance...and still hungry.... Fear is keeping me from enjoying...

Thanks again

[leatha_g 4]

Question - once the band does slip ... why does it have to come out?:confused:

That's what I've been reading on these threads. It seems ... the band might be precarioius ... and once it 'slips' game over.:cry

I also read that some doctors actually sew the land to the stoma in some way - just to avoid slippage.:plane:

It doesn't always have to come out. In some cases, the band is unfilled and allowed to sit for awhile, to see if it will correct itself. It does happen on occasion. Otherwise, if the band does not correct itself, it is possible for the symptoms to become painful or even strangulate the stomach which can become much more dangerous. In this case, the band would have to be removed entirely. In less traumatic slips, the band is removed and replaced or repositioned.

Originally, the docs should use what is called the pars flaccida method to sew the stomach around the band in order to possibly help prevent slippage. This has helped, but not alleviated the problem totally. I believe the risk is still around 3%.

[leatha_g 4]

What I'm afraid of is.... I'm 11 days out and became very hungry at 7 days out. I called my nutritionist and she said to go ahead and advance to my 3-4 week diet of ground meats because I was doing very well. No nausea, vomiting.....nothing adverse. Anyway... even with her telling me this..I'm afraid to advance...and still hungry.... Fear is keeping me from enjoying...

Thanks again

I would proceed with caution. It's a very common fear for new bandsters that they'll damage their bands. This is really like borrowing trouble, when it's not necessary. Of course you want to follow the rules and avoid doing any damage, but it's just not that easy to damage the band.

Eat only what you have been told, in the amounts that make sense for a 2-4oz pouch that works like a funnel. Do not drink while you eat, else the funnel may back up. Chew, chew, chew - EVERYTHING you put in your mouth. Use small utensils only - dessert plates, cups instead of bowls, baby forks if necessary, cut your bites, then cut them again. DO NOT make the mistake of trying scrambled eggs, try to focus on Protein first, stay away from things that will swell in your stoma or 'settle' such as bread, Pasta, rice or potatoes OR scrambled eggs. The 'settling' of potatoes and scrambled eggs are almost certain to dam up in the stoma and cause a PB episode, which is something you definitely do not want early on. Now is the time that your band needs to 'anchor' itself by building scar tissue around it. This function can be hindered by distress such as productive burping, vomiting, or having to grind and churn excessively to digest foods that you're not ready for.

Try soft, mushy things, like refried Beans with a bit of cheese melted on top, well mixed tuna salad or chicken salad (no large chunks), cottage cheese, egg salad would be okay as long as you chew, chew, chew to mush. Think Protein and soft. :confused: Good luck!

[Bella 0]

It doesn't always have to come out. In some cases, the band is unfilled and allowed to sit for awhile, to see if it will correct itself. It does happen on occasion. Otherwise, if the band does not correct itself, it is possible for the symptoms to become painful or even strangulate the stomach which can become much more dangerous. In this case, the band would have to be removed entirely. In less traumatic slips, the band is removed and replaced or repositioned.

Originally, the docs should use what is called the pars flaccida method to sew the stomach around the band in order to possibly help prevent slippage. This has helped, but not alleviated the problem totally. I believe the risk is still around 3%.

Thank you very much Leatha for your clear explaination. This information alleviates my concerns.:confused: I guess I've been reading too many posts on people having problems when most people don't have problems at all.

Ok ... back to my research!! :decision:

[carolel 0]

Thanks so much Leatha!! My fears have been alleviated. Maybe I can enjoy some ground beef now and not be afraid so much. And Bella, I'm right there with you. We read so much about other prople and the problems they have, that I think we sort become afraid to put anything in our new pouches.

Good luck on beginning your new life Bella and thanks again Leatha.

BTW.....are you a member of the HGTV board? There's a Bella there too.

llewis

[Bella 0]

Hi,

Ummm what's the HGTV board?? :confused:

[tutuclvr 0]

My band slipped due to excessive vomitting, dry heaves and severe coughing. All of this was caused by upper respiratory infections and reactions to pain medications from 2 shoulder surgeries within 5 months. My best advice to all of you is to go to your M.D. as quickly as possible if you have an upper respiratory infection or nausea and have it treated immediately. After the year I've been through my M.D. knows how very important it is to treat any illness agressively and quickly. He doesn't hesitate to prescribe whatever is needed to take care of the most minor sinus drainage or nausea. Since my slippage, my lapband surgeon advises this as well and he says that the band does not like mucous and it can clog the opening. So I take extra precautions with even the slightest sniffle, drainage or nausea. My band was repositioned and finally everything is going great. Yea!!!!! Good luck.