Lap Band feels like someone is strangling me

[NervousNancy 3]

Hi. I had my surgery in October of 2013. My doctor is very strict with fills. I believe I'm only at 3cc's.

I got this fill about two months ago and everything was fine until about three weeks ago. All of sudden

for the past three weeks my lap band hurts. I'm almost thinking it slipped higher up in my throat. Two

months ago my surgeon ordered me to have an endoscopy by my gastroenterologist. After the endoscopy,

My gastroenterologist said everything looked fine, except she wondered why my surgeon placed the lap band

so high. Now I'm concerned since I've been experiencing this strangling sensation for three weeks. If the

band has slipped higher, what will happen next? Also, because of the tight feeling, I feel nauseas all

the time. I really don't think it's the fill because I was fine with it until recently. Any help or advice would be

greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[2muchfun 8,927]

If you google some anatomy images you will see that there's no way the band can strangle you. Your wind pipe(trachea) and esophagus part company about where you larynx is. So, your band is placed around your stomach about 8" away.

When does your band hurt? Is it constant or just when you eat or drink? The band is placed about 3 cm below the lower esophageal sphincter. Any higher and it would be around your esophagus. But, bands have been placed there mistakenly by surgeons and sometimes the band can slip above the sphincter. Better check with your doctor?

[NervousNancy 3]

Thanks for getting back to me 2muchfun. I have a drs appt next week with my surgeon and I'll talk with him about the issue. And it's not really when I eat or drink. It just feels weird all the time. And it's also hard for me to swallow pills. It's like they stay stuck in my throat no matter how much I drink.

[Bandarella 223]

Nancy, band misplacement happens a reported 3% of the time...3/100 surgeries. Your band is creating the sensation of "strangling" because it's probably on your esophagus (since your GI doc said it was placed high) and developing scar tissue. You need two things; a new bariatric surgeon and repositioned or removed ASAP. This is a surgeon error. Bands don't migrate upwards once placed. I had this and it caused massive problems.

[NervousNancy 3]

Thank you Bandarella for this info. I'm scared now. I see my surgeon next week and we will definitely be having this conversation. My gastroenterologist said it was placed high. But then when I had an X-ray the technicians said everything looked fine. I tend to go my gastro's analysis. I pray to God I don't need surgery again. Bandarella, if I may ask, what type of problems did it cause for you? I want to see if my symptoms are similar. Thank you.

Edited May 22, 2014 by NervousNancy

[Bandarella 223]

As I said, you need a NEW bariatric surgeon. If your surgeon doesn't know by now that your band is too high, I wouldn't go back. Ask your gastroenterologist for a recommendation. When I started having problems, my surgeon wasn't concerned. It was my gastroenterologist who managed my care and sent me to an esophageal specialist.