slipped band??

fernandoandme · May 31, 2007

Hi...This is probably posted somewhere and I just missed it-

1st-- what causes a band to slip?

2nd--what the are symptoms of a slipped band?

3rd --how do they fix it (obviously surgery) but are there other options?

thanks so much!!

Bawilliams1 · May 31, 2007

My first lapband slipped. I think I know exactly when it happened because I just felt a really wierd sensation in my stomach at the "lapband area". I immediately called the doctor and got an appointment the next day. That night I had increased restriction. The flouro revealed that the part of the band that is attached to the tubing that would normally be slanted upwards was, at that point, parallel with the other side of the band. Instead of the band being at an upward angle on my stomach it was sitting crossways with no upward slant. I had to get a little unfill because the position that the band was in caused more restriction with a smaller amount of "fill". If the band had stayed like that I probably would have been okay. That happened in January of 2006. By May of 2006 the band had slipped down even farther and my pouch was huge. Part of my stomach that was supposed to be below the band had slipped up through the band. It was considered a "chronic prolapse". I had to be rebanded. I got rebanded in June of 2006. That was a very expensive lesson for me. I am self-pay and now I am in a lot of debt. I was so terrified of gaining all of my weight back that I freaked out and jumped through hoops to get a loan ASAP for another band. I was down to my goal weight of 132. I have been doing well with the new band except that it has been filled up to 4.2 cc's and it is the smallest band which is supposed to hold 4.0 cc's and I still don't have the kind of restriction that I had with my first band which was also a 4.0 cc capacity band. Also, the band will no longer hold saline. It leaks right out. I have to be filled with Omnipague which is another liquid that is thicker than saline. The doctor has checked me for leaks under flouroscopic x-ray and no leak has been detected. I think it is just a very slow leak that happens after I leave the doctor's office. Other than the leak, I think my inability to achieve what I consider really good restriction might have something to do with the fact that I only weighed 132-134 when I was rebanded versus 197 when I got the first band. I think my stomach must just be smaller than It was before and there probably isn't much fat on my stomach because I carry the majority of my weight waist down. That's just my theory. I have basically learned to just control my food intake and I go to the gym every day. The band is just a tool to help me out. It does help keep my appetite under control, but I have to make a decision each day that I am going to make the right choices in order to stay thin. As far as the slip, I think everyone has different symptoms and I doubt that you would necessarily feel it slip. I have heard of people who have minor slips being totally unfilled for atleast about a month and the band sometimes goes back to the original position. I think most people either have the band removed completely or get rebanded. Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to PM me and I will be happy to try and answer them.

Bawilliams1 · May 31, 2007

I forgot to tell you that I assume the cause for my band slippage was excessive PB'ing. Don't do it!

Trace Curry · May 31, 2007

Usually the cause of a slip is repeated vomiting. The symptoms of an acute slip are pain and vomiting even liquids usually. Symptoms can be variable though. As far as treatment goes, if it's a big slip it needs reoperation to fix, if it's a minor slip sometimes just unfilling can take care of it.

If you want to see a picture of a slip there is one posted on my web site in the forums section.

Dr. Trace Curry Cincinnati, Ohio

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Analoren · May 31, 2007

Drink alcohol but just 2 times at month? is bad?!! if feel FULL even when i had a Total unfill?!! that could be an SLIP?? i eat really good! i dont PB at all!! What can i do