Does "substantial" slip always mean surgery? Need advise!

Georgia Peach · March 16, 2008

:confused:I've been banded 4 years and recently diagnosed with a fairly substantial slip seen on an upper GI. My surgeon said my only options were to leave it the way it is right now but I may start having problems, repair it, or remove it.

I questioned him about unfilling and perhaps it might be possible for it to move back. He said quite confidently "it is not going to move back". My problem if that I keep reading about people with slips who are unfilled and then supposedly get better and their bands move back. I don't want to rush to surgery but I also don't want to waste time especially since we are going to get an insurance approval I'm pretty sure for a repair or a new one. My surgeon says the only way to fix it is surgery and that it will not move back.

I'm confused. It seems like to me that once the initial integrity and stitches of the band are compromised and loosened from a slip that the only way to secure it permanently again and to get it working again would be through surgery. I don't really want it but neither do a want a problem band that may just keeping slipping. I would guess the stitches would be loose. Any one know the answer?

Socalbandit · March 16, 2008

If you trust your surgeon and your insurance will cover it then it seems like a slam dunk to me. Why take a chance of developing problems. It is a very minimally invasive surgery with a band that is more advanced than the one you had put in 4 yrs ago. I say why ask for trouble. Good luck.

Georgia Peach · March 17, 2008

I don't understand the concept of a slipped band returning to normal anyway....it seems like to me that once the damage is done and the stitches are loosened that the original integrity of the band would always be compromised and loose. What do you think?