Slipped, Going Sleeve -hopefully, but now I feel pinching, pulling in port & stomach

[Bkhuffman 28]

So I found out about 2 weeks ago my 2008 band has slipped. I'm completely unfilled and can eat like a beast. I've gained 4lbs since unfill. I'm working with a new surgeon and insurance to get approved to take out my band and do the sleeve. My insurance coordinator stated I shouldn't have to wait the six months period because this is complications which I truly hope is correct because in the last week I've felt this strange "pulling pinching" pain from my port area, my left shoulder hurts and reflux is definitely getting worse. I don't know if its my mind because I know the band is "ruined", but I'm getting concerned...should I be? I see my doc the first week of Nov for the monthly check-in in lieu of the six month deal. Advice? Thoughts?

[GuyMontag 1,264]

When a band has slipped and they determine it needs to come out it seems like they usually want to take it out pretty quick. I've seen a lot bands slip in these forums over the years and they are usually out as fast as the surgeons can get to them. If my band slipped I'd want it out ASAP.

[PJ Geeser 108]

yes..this is usually an emergency type situation from what most have talked about.

if you are having issues you need to call the dr asap and let them know what you are feeling.

[NaNa 878]

So I found out about 2 weeks ago my 2008 band has slipped. I'm completely unfilled and can eat like a beast. I've gained 4lbs since unfill. I'm working with a new surgeon and insurance to get approved to take out my band and do the sleeve. My insurance coordinator stated I shouldn't have to wait the six months period because this is complications which I truly hope is correct because in the last week I've felt this strange "pulling pinching" pain from my port area, my left shoulder hurts and reflux is definitely getting worse. I don't know if its my mind because I know the band is "ruined", but I'm getting concerned...should I be? I see my doc the first week of Nov for the monthly check-in in lieu of the six month deal. Advice? Thoughts?

I agree you should not have to wait 6 months to get a revision -- SADLY many people live for YEARS with a slipped band and don't even know it -- they think reflux is a part of banded life! The only time reflux gets REALLY BAD is when the slipped band gets severe.

You are a ticking time bomb and time is of the essence, you should push your revision date up quickly! But again, if you are able to get solids down, it's probably not URGENT -- YET.

Good luck.

[Bkhuffman 28]

I've reached out to my insurance coordinator and explained my thoughts - hopefully she'll respond and I can maybe move my next appointment up. My "mind" doesn't like the idea that my body has a broken foreign object in it...I feel like every little gurgle, pinch, stab, etc. is something going further wrong. Thanks for all the pointers.

[I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ 804]

Best wishes on your revision

[JACKIEO85 308]

I agree you should not have to wait 6 months to get a revision -- SADLY many people live for YEARS with a slipped band and don't even know it -- they think reflux is a part of banded life! The only time reflux gets REALLY BAD is when the slipped band gets severe.

You are a ticking time bomb and time is of the essence, you should push your revision date up quickly! But again, if you are able to get solids down, it's probably not URGENT -- YET.

Good luck.

IF your band has slipped yes, that is obvious to the Professionals that it needs to be removed But to tell someone they are a ticking time bomb Really?? Perhaps this it part of the reason so many PROTESTED to your Opinions on OH? And why your here trying to Scare everyone???

BKHuffman as long as your in contact with your Surgeon/Office they will schedule your surgery accordingly. because unless your Test showed something Life threatening YOU'D already be in surgery. YES, a slipped band isn't comfortable, reflux increases, as do other complications Hence the need for removal. And I'd say the Pt. coordinator misspoke about the removal taking 6 months, If your planning on A revision WITH removal that is probably why that was mentioned? But some Doctors won't remove/revise at the same time others will. The Left shoulder pain can be from the band slip contacting the Diaphragm, the Diaphragm doesn't feel pain it refers it to the Left shoulder, and it's all in such close proximity Good Luck On your removal, and from what others have posted the removal isn't usually as uncomfortable as the implantation. Keep us posted !!

[I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ 804]

Too much drama.... I think I'm sticking to Google lol

[NaNa 878]

IF your band has slipped yes, that is obvious to the Professionals that it needs to be removed But to tell someone they are a ticking time bomb Really?? Perhaps this it part of the reason so many PROTESTED to your Opinions on OH? And why your here trying to Scare everyone???

BKHuffman as long as your in contact with your Surgeon/Office they will schedule your surgery accordingly. because unless your Test showed something Life threatening YOU'D already be in surgery. YES, a slipped band isn't comfortable, reflux increases, as do other complications Hence the need for removal. And I'd say the Pt. coordinator misspoke about the removal taking 6 months, If your planning on A revision WITH removal that is probably why that was mentioned? But some Doctors won't remove/revise at the same time others will. The Left shoulder pain can be from the band slip contacting the Diaphragm, the Diaphragm doesn't feel pain it refers it to the Left shoulder, and it's all in such close proximity Good Luck On your removal, and from what others have posted the removal isn't usually as uncomfortable as the implantation. Keep us posted !!

A slipped band is nothing to just play around with...reflux is NOTHING to play around with -- with the band. Many THANK ME for letting them know the dangers.

Reflux is not an immediate "death sentence" with the band, but SADLY -- in the past MANY have ignored it, slept on many pillows, did everything under the sun, but the RIGHT THING -which is to remove a little saline once reflux starts or realize you are too tight. -- and Oh yea, reflux can be avoided with the band and not a way of life for many.

The thing with the band bashers on Obesity Help -- they never liked the proactive approach, like aftercare, listening to warnings signals of reflux -- they ignored all of this, until it was too late -- and their bands had to be removed in an URGENT situation, and they come back and say how horrible the band is and everyone will suffer the same fate -- which is far from the truth.

[Bkhuffman 28]

Okay - So I may just be a "ticking bomb" - a little befuddled right now. My ins. coordinator spoke to my doc and I now have a "er" number and I need to report to "er" asap. I was like I can't, I have kids, a job, and the pain comes and goes. All I wanted was to NOT wait 6 months to have a broken tool removed - sleeve or no sleeve. HOLY cow I'm in awe. I just called the insurance coordinator back and explained in more detail, along with a request to see the Doc before Nov 4th. Yes, reflux is bad, yes, a sharp pain comes and goes in my shoulder and in my stomach/port area, but I'm working, and living. I just don't want to wait till April of 2014 to take this crap out. OMG...I want to scream right now - NOT at any of you...but the damn lady for blowing it out of proportion - for goodness sake I was able to compose a lengthy email with proper etiquette - had I been in excruciating pain would I have been able to do that?

[NaNa 878]

Okay - So I may just be a "ticking bomb" - a little befuddled right now. My ins. coordinator spoke to my doc and I now have a "er" number and I need to report to "er" asap. I was like I can't, I have kids, a job, and the pain comes and goes. All I wanted was to NOT wait 6 months to have a broken tool removed - sleeve or no sleeve. HOLY cow I'm in awe. I just called the insurance coordinator back and explained in more detail, along with a request to see the Doc before Nov 4th. Yes, reflux is bad, yes, a sharp pain comes and goes in my shoulder and in my stomach/port area, but I'm working, and living. I just don't want to wait till April of 2014 to take this crap out. OMG...I want to scream right now - NOT at any of you...but the damn lady for blowing it out of proportion - for goodness sake I was able to compose a lengthy email with proper etiquette - had I been in excruciating pain would I have been able to do that?

You are doing the right, thing, you don't want to listen to people here that says REFLUX is not bad, you don't want to damage your body and insides and once the band has damaged your insides, it will make it difficult for you to revise to another surgery.

Please get that band out as soon as you can and you will feel much better with it out. You need to let them know your symptoms, and they will push your date up.

I am wishing you a much uneventful journey with your revision and a speedy recovery!

[Bkhuffman 28]

thank you all ladies and gentlemen. as soon as I hear back from the coordinator I will post. I should have picked up the phone and called her rather than alarming her with an email stating my issues. really I should have called her, voice inflection would have been great for this conversation!

[Bkhuffman 28]

Update on this craziness. Insurance denied everything except "emergent" surgery to remove the band. PA says I can live with slipped band just fine if I adjust my eating and do a liquid diet for 2-4 weeks to shrink the swollen pouch. They are going to try to submit for "repair" to this band. I'm over this crap. I guess I'm going on liquids for a while and see what happens. I started a exercise program yesterday and "shakes" - oh the liquid life...BLAH. 100 g of Protein, 30 carbs - that's what they want for the next month...I'm not a happy camper!

[stacielynntate 88]

Update on this craziness. Insurance denied everything except "emergent" surgery to remove the band. PA says I can live with slipped band just fine if I adjust my eating and do a liquid diet for 2-4 weeks to shrink the swollen pouch. They are going to try to submit for "repair" to this band. I'm over this crap. I guess I'm going on liquids for a while and see what happens. I started a exercise program yesterday and "shakes" - oh the liquid life...BLAH. 100 g of Protein' date=' 30 carbs - that's what they want for the next month...I'm not a happy camper![/quote'] You are going thru a lot and sorry you have to deal. I can get the revision. To sleeve but am doing my research before agreeing to it. I got banded 8/08 and since I had my son in 2011 nothing but issues. We have done test no slippage but 24/7 acid reflux and issues eating. Right now I only have 1 cc in my band and I'm doing my surgeons pre-op diet and so far doing good (only a few days into it). It has helped with the reflux and getting food in but I need to figure out long term as my drs have come to the conclusion my boys is rejecting the band. Good luck

[mpatti2007 0]

Ok so I was banded in 2007, I have been living with a slipped for a while now, I had gained some weight and I have been living on tums, I went to the Drs the other day and she took 1cc out, now no more heartburn, well she gave me a perscription so that helps. Now she said it was time for me to do a revision, so I said new band she said NO the sleeve, so she said she could take out the band and do the sleeve at the same time so now I have some thinking to do, has anyone gone from band to sleeze and if so how do you like it?

Thanks,

MP