Slipped Band... will it be ok?

[Ruthie 2]

Just found out my band has slipped. Ugh. I've worried about this ever since I got banded.

Anybody had any success with it going back in to place?

I had a complete unfill and am on Clear liquids for two weeks and then full liquids for a week and then we'll see if its gone back in to place.

So is there really a possibility that it can go back in to place?

I just need hope right now.

I'm feeling so sad and discouraged. This was my one chance for weight loss... I've invested so much time and money in to this. I need it to work. I just can't stand the thought of not having my band.

I need happy stories right now!

[Alexandra 55]

Hi Ruthie,

Sorry to hear about your slippage. I know there have been instances where an unfill resolves the situation, but I don't know how common that is. My band had to be removed a month ago due to slippage, but I'm getting a new one on June 4 so all is not lost. The great thing about the band is that even if the "worst" happens and it has to be removed, our stomachs are still whole and functioning normally.

Good luck, and be very gentle with your tummy!

[*susan* 1,709]

Ruthie, so sorry to hear about your problems. There is definitely hope though. Mine slipped a few months ago. I had a complete unfill and after about a month, it was back in place. I got a fill and am doing great now. Just do what your doctor says and hopefully everything will turn out for the best.

[kaybee 0]

Well, best wishes to you. I, too, recently had a slipped band and I went on liquids for a week and then in for surgery to reposition and restitch. Odd thing is, the surgeon admitted the band had already slipped itself back into position but they didn't realize this until I was already being operated on. Have them do a scan (just prior to surgery) if you are told that you need surgery to make certain you really need it. Anyway, I have been unfilled for 5 weeks now and am going in for my 1st fill this week. It has been a major struggle not to gain tons of extra pounds as my hunger is back almost FULL force ! I am ready to shed the last extra 10-15 pounds. Again, good luck and try not to worry; at least it is usually fixable one way or another !

[steinquilts 0]

I am sorry to hear about your band slipping but as all of these wonderful gals have told you al is not lost. You will do great and your band will return to the proper place in due time and either naturally or by your doctor's hand. Stay calm and stay strong.

How did you know that your band slipped? Did you have any problems that gave you the feeling you should see the doctor?

[April 0]

Ruthie,

Hey sweetie, there is hope, hang in there. My band slipped back in January, and the Doc unfilled my band, I went on liquids, was supposed to go back in 3 weeks but because of scheduling problems didn't go back for 6 weeks. But at 6 weeks my band was back in place. Doc gave me a small fill and I'm starting over (a lot slower than before). The Doc told me it's a 50/50 chance of it going back on it's own. Just stay positive, and believe it IS fixed. I truly believe in the power of positive thinking (and the grace of God). Through the whole 6 weeks I visualized it going back in place and I tried to stay positive and sometimes it was hard. I don't want to discourage you, but the next few weeks are gonna be difficult in the hunger department. I was so totally shocked at the difference the fills made, I didn't realize how dependent on my band I had become. I don't know what else to say, but I hope my rambling has helped. Take care, It WILL be OK. Need to talk I'll be here.

[1bunni4me 0]

Ok...how do you know it slipped? I am having bad back pain and some on sides. I blew it last week. Ate broccoli on mother's day and then champange at a wedding a week later. I have done so good. What the heck is wrong with me, risking the slippage for a darn piece of food? ????

[dotofoz 0]

Hi Ruthie,

Sorry to hear about your slippage. I know there have been instances where an unfill resolves the situation, but I don't know how common that is. My band had to be removed a month ago due to slippage, but I'm getting a new one on June 4 so all is not lost. The great thing about the band is that even if the "worst" happens and it has to be removed, our stomachs are still whole and functioning normally.

Good luck, and be very gentle with your tummy!

Were you covered by insurance? Did it pay for the re-banding surgery? Please say yes....

[socalgal3 4]

Susan and April-were you on liquids during the unfill phase? I had a slip in January and live in fear of another slip. Being unfilled didn't help and I had to have another operation. Things are better now, but this week I was having back pain so put myself on liquids.

Dot- I was self-pay for my operation, so I had to pay for my revision. Although, I have since heard that I should have tried to get it covered by my insurance as medically necessary, but I didn't even try. If you are covered by insurance for your initial surgery you should be covered for a slip. But check to be sure.

[dianels 0]

MY band slipped and I had to pay 5200 to get it corrected. self pay.

but it was worth it..i was unfilled for 30 days. I went nuts

[Daisalana 33]

Thanks for the numbers Dianels, since I am self-pay, I'm being positive that I won't slip, but if it ever happened, I am curious what I'd have to cough up.

Anyone else self-pay on revision surgery for slips that would share the figure they had to pay?

[April 0]

Susan and April-were you on liquids during the unfill phase? I had a slip in January and live in fear of another slip. Being unfilled didn't help and I had to have another operation. Things are better now, but this week I was having back pain so put myself on liquids.

Dot- I was self-pay for my operation, so I had to pay for my revision. Although, I have since heard that I should have tried to get it covered by my insurance as medically necessary, but I didn't even try. If you are covered by insurance for your initial surgery you should be covered for a slip. But check to be sure.

Hey Socal,

I was on liquids for 3 days and mushies for 2 days then regular food. My Doc told me that digesting food may help the band wiggle itself back into place, but be careful not to get anything else stuck or else you could be in worse shape than you are now. I also live everyday in fear of another slip. I am extremely cautious and try to listen to what my body and band is telling me. Doc said that if it hurts it is not right, so call your doc just to give him/her an fyi on what's up.

Ok...how do you know it slipped? I am having bad back pain and some on sides. I blew it last week. Ate broccoli on mother's day and then champange at a wedding a week later. I have done so good. What the heck is wrong with me, risking the slippage for a darn piece of food?????

Hey Bunni,

I had very bad back and side pain, kinda like someone kicked me. But I would doubt that broccoli and champagne is the problem. Sit down and calmly listen to what your band is saying. I didn't and thats how I slipped my band. My body was screaming at me that I was too tight and I was eating too much, etc... So my advice is to listen before it's too late. The sign of slippage or obstruction that we are constantly warned about is the dreaded PB. I unfortunately did not have such clear writing on the proverbial wall. I have only PB's 2, yes count them, TWO times since EVER, and I believe it was AFTER my band slipped because I PB'd on broth. My Doc made me go to the hospital for a barium swallow where I found out.

I was too tight, I ate too much, I ate and sometimes drank at the same time, I had heartburn, excessive burping, excessive hiccups, excessive pain, excessive gurgling.

I hope I can help save someone from going through this experience... so if any one of you beautiful fellow bandsters have these symptoms or even think you might be too tight please call your Doc, discuss your symptoms, and see what the right course of action is for you. I truly believe that if I had listened to my band and removed .25cc I would never have slipped. But then again I am a firm believer in everything happens for a reason and I know without the slippage I would not have learned to stop fighting the band, eat right, slow down and listen.

[Ruthie 2]

Hi!

Thanks for all your hope!!

The only way I knew that I had slipped was that I went in for a fill (no restriction) and the fill dr. put the barium in and it wouldn't move... so he looked closer and noticed that it had slipped.

My dr. put me on liquids and I've been following it very strictly but went out of town unexpectedly this weekend and was in a situation where I didn't have any liquid options so i did the best I could and ate mushies and just tried to be careful... Hopefully I didn't mess anything.... hoping and praying it goes back in to place.

Thank you all for your encouragement.... keeping my fingers crossed!!!

[Mvpo8961 1]

Ruthie I had a slip due to one night of excessive dry heaving four months after I was banded.

Now eight months later I have another minor slip probably secondary to medication getting stuck in the band. I started on Glucophage which turns into a gelanitous(sp) mass and was definitely sticking above my stoma.

I was completely unfilled the first time and was told that 90% of slips will resolve themselves by unfilling. I am currently half unfilled and it was debated about complete unfilling. I am pretty sure I have migrated back into place as I no longer have heart burn that I had before my unfill.

Good luck and let us know how things go.

Myra

[masonkr 0]

How did you find out it slipped.