Slipped Band and Revision Surgery...

[ebar822 0]

Hey everyone,

I was initially banded in 12/07 and at the time I weighed 386 pounds. It's now 14 months later and I was down over 100 pounds when I discovered that I couldn't keep anything down. I went in for an esophogram and there it was--a slipped band. They wanted me in for surgery very quickly to remedy it. In the meantime they took all of the Fluid out of it so I could eat and drink.

I had my revision surgery on Friday, 2/27...it was much like the first surgery. He basically had to fix the position of the band...so he went in through the same incisions (the big incision that he initially used to put the band in wasn't completely reopened, just a small incision there this time). The recovery hasn't been half as bad as the first time...but it's still rough at times.

I guess I just want to offer some advice to you guys. This is an amazing tool, a tool that has helped me to lose 100 pounds so far...and I am still very overweight and still need to lose at least another 100 pounds. I am confident this band will help me do it, but we all need to be aware of the fact that it is a tool, a foreign body in our systems...and according to my surgeon, Dr. Fielding (one of the top three specialists in the country), this happens in 1 in 50 cases. When you think about it, that's really a lot. I asked him if it was anything I did, and he said that because I lost so much weight the layer of fat around my stomach got thinner and caused the band to loosen. That coupled with eating and digesting, the normal motion your stomach makes when it digests, caused the slipped band.

Thinking back, I didn't pay attention to the signs. I thought it was "normal." A few months ago I was able to eat more. I was focused though, and I ate healthy, so I didn't think anything of it. Now I realize my band became loose and therefore opened up more... And then about 2 months after that it became tighter...and it took me longer to digest. And I thought, oh, just normal for the band...I'm losing weight it must be fine.

Please don't do that. Get everything checked out. You don't want to end up having surgery again... and I met some girls who had the same procedure as me done on Friday, some of whom because they didn't follow the rules...

I won't lie, I sometimes sipped carbonated soda. And drinking while eating, it was a tough habit to break. I definitely didn't do it often, but who knows if these things could have contributed to what happened to me?

All I know is I feel like I've been given another opportunity to start over and I am going to take full advantage of it. And I am going to make sure that I listen to my body. When something changes on its own i am going to have it checked out because it's NOT normal. Don't talk yourself out of things the way I did....all it's going to do is make you end up back in the OR.

I'm not trying to scare anyone...I want you to be excited. I am half the person I was...and I can't wait to divide myself again! And I NEVER would have done it without this band. I can sit in an airplane seat now, or in a theater seat, and I feel more normal. I feel myself emerging from inside...I was so shy and withdrawn when I was close to 400 pounds. I know many of you feel the same! But never take it for granted. Always listen to your body and do what's best by it...even if it's difficult sometimes.

Best of luck to all of you...I wish you all the best new journey your life will ever lead you in.

[phyl808 1]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Good luck with your Journey.

[Libbyjane1976 1]

Wow that is awesome that you have lost over 100 lbs. i'm glad you were able to have it fixed. did you have any problems with your insurance company?

[Makulafamy 55]

Hey everyone,

I was initially banded in 12/07 and at the time I weighed 386 pounds. It's now 14 months later and I was down over 100 pounds when I discovered that I couldn't keep anything down. I went in for an esophogram and there it was--a slipped band. They wanted me in for surgery very quickly to remedy it. In the meantime they took all of the Fluid out of it so I could eat and drink.

I had my revision surgery on Friday, 2/27...it was much like the first surgery. He basically had to fix the position of the band...so he went in through the same incisions (the big incision that he initially used to put the band in wasn't completely reopened, just a small incision there this time). The recovery hasn't been half as bad as the first time...but it's still rough at times.

I guess I just want to offer some advice to you guys. This is an amazing tool, a tool that has helped me to lose 100 pounds so far...and I am still very overweight and still need to lose at least another 100 pounds. I am confident this band will help me do it, but we all need to be aware of the fact that it is a tool, a foreign body in our systems...and according to my surgeon, Dr. Fielding (one of the top three specialists in the country), this happens in 1 in 50 cases. When you think about it, that's really a lot. I asked him if it was anything I did, and he said that because I lost so much weight the layer of fat around my stomach got thinner and caused the band to loosen. That coupled with eating and digesting, the normal motion your stomach makes when it digests, caused the slipped band.

Thinking back, I didn't pay attention to the signs. I thought it was "normal." A few months ago I was able to eat more. I was focused though, and I ate healthy, so I didn't think anything of it. Now I realize my band became loose and therefore opened up more... And then about 2 months after that it became tighter...and it took me longer to digest. And I thought, oh, just normal for the band...I'm losing weight it must be fine.

Please don't do that. Get everything checked out. You don't want to end up having surgery again... and I met some girls who had the same procedure as me done on Friday, some of whom because they didn't follow the rules...

I won't lie, I sometimes sipped carbonated soda. And drinking while eating, it was a tough habit to break. I definitely didn't do it often, but who knows if these things could have contributed to what happened to me?

All I know is I feel like I've been given another opportunity to start over and I am going to take full advantage of it. And I am going to make sure that I listen to my body. When something changes on its own i am going to have it checked out because it's NOT normal. Don't talk yourself out of things the way I did....all it's going to do is make you end up back in the OR.

I'm not trying to scare anyone...I want you to be excited. I am half the person I was...and I can't wait to divide myself again! And I NEVER would have done it without this band. I can sit in an airplane seat now, or in a theater seat, and I feel more normal. I feel myself emerging from inside...I was so shy and withdrawn when I was close to 400 pounds. I know many of you feel the same! But never take it for granted. Always listen to your body and do what's best by it...even if it's difficult sometimes.

Best of luck to all of you...I wish you all the best new journey your life will ever lead you in.

Just curious, did he explain what happened to the stitches he put in around the band? My doc puts a few stitches around the band to help prevent slipping...holds it in place. I am assuming yours did the same.

Did they break? Rip, etc?

[ebar822 0]

I had to do the procedure as a "direct admit/emergency" for insurance purposes so it should be fine...fingers crossed...but I'll let you know otherwise when the bills start rolling in. As of right now I'm only expecting to pay the $300 deductible that BCBS requires.

As far as the stitches are concerned, I know they put stitches to hold it in place for the first month or so, but those eventually dissolve...what holds the band in place are the adhesions that your body makes to it. Apparantly your stomach grows around the band and that's what keeps it in place--not the initial stitches. That's why we have to be so careful the first month with only liquids and mushies to make sure we don't move anything so our body has a chance to adhere.

I am not sure why the adhesions didn't prevent what happened to me...I can only hope it doesn't happen again...

[Makulafamy 55]

I had to do the procedure as a "direct admit/emergency" for insurance purposes so it should be fine...fingers crossed...but I'll let you know otherwise when the bills start rolling in. As of right now I'm only expecting to pay the $300 deductible that BCBS requires.

As far as the stitches are concerned, I know they put stitches to hold it in place for the first month or so, but those eventually dissolve...what holds the band in place are the adhesions that your body makes to it. Apparantly your stomach grows around the band and that's what keeps it in place--not the initial stitches. That's why we have to be so careful the first month with only liquids and mushies to make sure we don't move anything so our body has a chance to adhere.

I am not sure why the adhesions didn't prevent what happened to me...I can only hope it doesn't happen again...

I am going to ask my doc tomorrow to explain it to me a little more. I hope everything goes more smoothly for you! Thanks for sharing so we can be more informed.

[peggy n 20]

good luck to you and thanks for all the shared information. i learn something every time i go on this sight as i am only four weeks post op and have not had a fill yet. i thank you.peggy

[Lisadawnh35 0]

I am a liitle nervous. I had my second fill last Thursday. I can definietly feel the restriction (even when I drink something I can feel it). I have had more vomiting recently, but I know it is because I am not chewing well enough. Any suggestions?????

[ebar822 0]

I am a liitle nervous. I had my second fill last Thursday. I can definietly feel the restriction (even when I drink something I can feel it). I have had more vomiting recently, but I know it is because I am not chewing well enough. Any suggestions?????

I really think if you are vomiting then you need to go in and speak with your doctor. Also, they say to have absolutely no food/liquid for 4 hours after vomiting and then to go on liquids for an entire day afterwards to compensate for swelling. But if you are vomiting regularly it is too tight and vomiting WILL LEAD to a slipped band....do not make a habit of vomiting...

Good luck!

[Catherine55 43]

Thanks for sharing this. We go to the same office -- my doctor is Dr. Ren. I love those guys -- such good doctors.

Best wishes for your continued success!

Catherine

[matalo 0]

I just joined this forum so I could refocus on my band and my health.

I was first banded May '06. At the time, I was 311. In 8 months, I lost over 130 pounds. I had gotten down to 170 at my lowest. However, in the next twelve months, I ignored the signs and ended up having major slippage (as well as gaining 55 pounds).

I had to get rebanded on the 27th of February. (Same story Emergency Room admit). Unfortunately, there were complications and Dr. Younan Nowzaradan had to replace the old band with a Realize Band.

In the past 10 days, I have already lost 18 pounds (208), most of which I assume is water). I am refocused and ready to get back down to where I was a year ago.

I write this not to scare anyone, but to help enlighten people on the risks of not listening to your body.

Good luck all!

[Katja 15]

Matalo,

Sorry to hear you had a slippage, but good that you're ok now. You said you ignored the signs.. what were they for you?

I wish you lots of luck getting back to your goal. You prove that the band works and we can and want to live with it even when something happens.

[matalo 0]

Matalo,

Sorry to hear you had a slippage, but good that you're ok now. You said you ignored the signs.. what were they for you?

I wish you lots of luck getting back to your goal. You prove that the band works and we can and want to live with it even when something happens.

For me, I did not pay attention to the fact that I could eat more and in less time. Normally, I ate about 6-8 oz. of food every 3-4 hours. However, I was gradually able to eat up to 16 oz. with seldom a problem.

When I did have problems, they were bad. I experienced quite a bit of pain in my abdomen and also had quite a bit of PB.

Hope this helps.

[ebar822 0]

Matalo,

Sorry to hear you had a slippage, but good that you're ok now. You said you ignored the signs.. what were they for you?

I wish you lots of luck getting back to your goal. You prove that the band works and we can and want to live with it even when something happens.

Thank you..:thumbup: For me, I was able to eat more than I was previously able to. I thought my pouch had just stretched but apparantly that wasn't it. Also, I guess when the slip got worse, it would take a long time for me to digest my food. It would remain in the upper pouch for a very long time. I had acid indigestion and I would literally cough up my food at night. I don't know if I convinced myself that I was eating too late or what but for some reason it just didn't occur to me that I had slipped!

Good luck to you on your journey.

[shannongetsslim 0]

Ok guys,

So I am a chronic Pb'er. I had my band tightened on January 12th as I was not loosing as fast as I thought I should be, I wasn't as restricted as I thought I should be. I had only loast about 55lbs in a year. And reading all the weight you guys have lost in a year amazes me. I was eating better, way less than I used to be able to, but obviously still too much. So my doctor with some reluctance gave me a small fill. I have 6.3ccs in a 10cc band. So here I am 3 months later and I have some wicked problems.

I *know* what I should do, but in these three months I see the change. I am loosing more quickly however it isn't so rapid that it isn't healthy.

I am a nurse, and when I work nights it messes up my schedule. It is hard to eat, and if I try sometimes I throw up. This sort of continues for two or three days. Even with liquids I have major indigestion and if it is later in the night I feel like it sits in my upper pouch for longer.

Look I know what I should do, but I am so conflicted, and as a nurse I feel like a bit of an ass. But finally, after a slow year of little progression, things are finally happening. I finally feel like this 12grand I spent on this tool is actually working. On my good days which are often, I can eat, but it is restricted, I can't eat the huge amounts I used to. And now I make sure my Protein comes first.

So what do I do, I can't imagine loosing some restriction and gaining back the small amount of poundage I have lost, but I get scared. I know the obvious answer...I am just torn. I make sure to drink my lactouse free Protein drinks when I have the super tightness too. bah, I know what this looks like, I am trying to rationalize this to myself...what to do...