erin313

Hello...
It all depends on how bad the slippage is, will determine what your options are.
If your band has truly 'slipped' you need to get it surgically fixed, removed or replaced.
The Band-aid approach is to remove all saline, go on a liquid diet for a bit and slowly refill and most people are ok with this, however, it may be difficult for you to get back into the Green zone WITHOUT reflux and other issues. But this can be managed by either taking PPi's (acid reducers) and not keeping the band too tight.
If things get worse, your only options are is to fix the band, your surgeon can re-position the band if it has slipped out of place,, there are several types of band slippage,
Here are some information on Band slippage, hopefully it can help you out.
Good luck
Lapband Slippage
Lap Band Slippage - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

A condition in which sometimes the stomach wall can slip through the band resulting in lap band slippage. This slipping will result in a bulge above the band. Sometimes this will resolve itself, others it will be more severe and have side effects such as nausea and making it harder to eat or drink. The following pictures depict a normal and a slipped band.
Normal Band

Slipped Band

Two common types of slippage:

Anterior slippage: the front of the stomach slips past the band. To try to secure the band at the time of installation, the stomach on either side of the band is stiched together trapping the band.
Posterior slippage: the rear of the stomach slides up through the band. This type of slippage was more common in the early 90's in Europe because they used the perigastric technique. Since then they've moved to the method employed in the U.S. and now commonly accepted as safe, the pars flaccida method.
Diagnosis of Band Slippage: How can you tell?

Usually it's fairly simple to diagnose. If a patient has had no problems for a period of time and suddenly has acid reflux or if you can eat more than before with a tight band it may mean that the small pouch has been stretched by overeating and some of the stomach has pulled through the band. An x-ray with barium easily confirms the issue.
As stated earlier, nausea or difficulty eating may accompany slippage. The only sure way to tell is to visit your doctor and have a ugi series also known as an upper GI series x-ray.
Treatment of Band Slippage:
Mild slip: Deflate the band; reinflate in one to two weeks.
Moderate slip: Deflate the band, operate to reposition band.
Severe slip: Deflate band and operate to remove band.
Less than five percent of patients will require removal or reoperation
In extreme cases the stomach above or within the band may need to be removed.

Prevention of Band Slippage:
Appropriate band placement by surgeon
Careful progression of diet by patient. Follow your meal plan to a "T" No solid foods for 4 weeks.
Wait at least 6 weeks for first adjustment.
Avoid vomiting or purging
Avoid over eating and stretching the stomach pouch
Chew food slowly and completely

While in hospital the nurses told me I was best sipping from a cup, but I'd asked the surgeon during my first fill and he was happy if I used a straw.
I found I enjoy sipping from a cup for most drinks now, it gives my mouth the taste of what I'm drinking for a little longer than drinking via a straw.

Anyone in these areas? Who was/is your surgeon? Which hospital? Are you following any local support groups?
I'm in Ellenton (very near the outlet mall that will become my best friend in about 6 months!!!). My surgeon is Dr. Rehnke and I'll be at Palms of Pasadena on the 19th - one week from today. Yay!!
Looking forward to meeting more from this area.
Rosie

I haven't posted in...I don't know how long! No real problems for me, and I haven't even needed a fill for about 18 months. The only complication I've had was pretty much self inflicted - I got too dehydrated, drank too little, exercised too much in really hot weather. If I'm not diligent about staying hydrated, my band seems to shrink right up, and in that case I got to the point of being unable to even keep Water down. That resulted in fluids and a slight unfill at the ER. I learned my lesson, and it hasn't happened again.
I did experience the stomach flu about six months ago - that was the first and only time my body has tried to actually vomit since being banded. It was MUCH different than upchucking due to being stuck, and was even more uncomfortable! Thankfully it didn't cause any problems with my band, so I'm still maintaining and very comfortable.
I am 4 1/2 years out, and am really happy. I don't know what the future holds for my band and I, but I am very grateful for the good health, normalcy, and experiences I would not have had without the surgery. It gave me a second chance, and I will enjoy and appreciate it for as long as it lasts.

Two years and three months later, and I still love my band. I have had no complications, and had such success with it that my nineteen year old daughter just got banded last week. I look forward to seeing her success as well. Good luck to all, and congratulations to all who have succeeded!!!

Not a one......don't even think about the band on most days....
Have not got stuck or sllmed in over a year....it all has become a very natural, common part of me...as the same if I would have had total knee surgery 2 years ago....first came the post surgery, then the rehab, then life back to normal, even though it has changed, but it is the "New Normal" better than the old??
BTW, it is my view that the majority of people o this forum are here to complain or seek help...the successful ones have long moved on....people I looked to advice are no longer here.....I belong to one private group in particular, where they have all once been members here and refuse to come back stating it is too negative......

yes, call your dr office and tell them and let them advise you.they are the only ones who need to know.
..i am sorry you are unhappy with them, but your health is worth more than that.
please call them (or find a new lap band doctor)...all the best honey.

The first 6-8 weeks is a healing time not a losing time. After that the real work begins and it is very hard to learn and need way of life. The key I found for me is track every sip and bite, and get on the chat site several times a day. Drink tons of Water I mean 80 oz flood yourself. This is a diet like any other but the band helps to feel satisfied for a longer period of time. If you are hungry before 4 hours of eat one cup of food then you need a fill, or more water, and review you food tracker and find where you could change. excerise just a little at a time. This is hard work but so worth it...

Yay,I got a call today, medicare will cover my fills..all I need Is a referral from my doctor.I'm so excited.even though I have been careful,I have gained about 7 pounds over the past year.even though I couldn't see my doctor,I would still get the support and the will to keep going from all of you.I Need about 50 pounds to go. I can do this.by the way I turned 65today

I would recommend carb cycling! It keeps your body guessing and it works wonders. I read this tip on this forum and it has helped me tremendously! I went out and bought the book "7 day carb cycle solution by Chris Powell" ... it is amazing and for me has been super easy and worked like a charm! I am 5 months post op today and down 79 pounds. I do not exercise 7 days a week and I dont do cardio for an hour ever. LOL I am not a cardio fan. I do strength training 3 days a week and cardio 2-3 days a week for 30 minutes. I really think I started seeing weight drop faster when I incorporated the weights. It might sound intimidating but it's really not.
OH...and I have not had any fills. I got the band to keep me from binging. It is doing just that! I can not eat the 5 pieces of pizza in one sitting like I used to!

Dr Rehnke installed my band on June 25, 2013.....I drive 2 hours to get to his office but it is worth the drive.

from my own experience:
TOM
stressing at work (over my in laws health issues)
me and my ole man fussing
(he cant ever find dirty clothes basket after 28+ yrs)
allergies
me breaking a nail
traffic snarls
van halen never touring again
my band tightens up......so to answer you, yes
i dont have any fills (just the primer at surgery)
just not hungry...i welcome it sometimes.

Dr Rehnke will be doing surgery on June 1, 2012. He has come highly recommended to me. My insurance company will only cover WLS at a facility that is certified as a Center of Excellence. He operates at Palms of Pasadena and they have that certification and he is rated as their top bariatric physician.

Had my surgery 6/15/12, and I am down 80 pounds. Seem to be on a plateau lately, but just kick started my workout plan into high gear! My goal was/is to get to a 100 pound weight loss by my anniversary date. Guess time will tell:) Very happy with my surgery, and my weight loss, but not a huge fan of the sagging skin on my belly and arms. Yuck!
On a good note, I ran for the first time in 13 years yesterday. Felt so good!!
Love reading everyone's updates!

Well on Wednesday I have lost a total of 71lbs. I had surgery 06/29/12.

I can't eat too close to when I go to bed since I got my last fill because I now get some reflux. During your pre op just do your best to get your Protein and calories in. When you get them in isn't that important. Do what works for you, your body and your schedule. If setting exact times to eat works best for you, do that and try to stick to it. If something comes up and gets you off schedule, do what you need to do to get by and then get back on schedule the next day.

You just need to find what works best for you. Since you work late, what time do you eat normally? I was on a 14 day liquid only pre- op diet and I tried to just replace my regular meal with my shake. For me sticking to my normal schedule worked best for me. Good luck to you, you will do great.

I agree. And it's nice to be able to get a walk in after dinner.< /p>

You just need to find what works best for you. Since you work late, what time do you eat normally? I was on a 14 day liquid only pre- op diet and I tried to just replace my regular meal with my shake. For me sticking to my normal schedule worked best for me. Good luck to you, you will do great.

Oh my word! I thought I was feeling some restriction up until now, but I could eat faster than I should and I wasn't having to take tiny bites to get things down. I got a third fill on Tuesday, did fluids for 48 hours, then mushies for a day. Tonight I had roasted chicken and steamed broccoli and felt like I tried to kill myself!
I ate about 1/2 cup at what I thought was a slow enough speed and chewed like crazy, but felt like it was all going to come right back up. It finally settled down after a few minutes, but I can see that I am finally going to really have to make the chewing and slowing down much more concentrated than I have up to now!
Not sure if this is the green zone yet, but I think it is much closer now. Fingers crossed!

I can feel the needle going in, but it's honestly less painful than a blood draw. Your abdomen has fewer nerve ending per square inch than a lot of other spots, after all. You can't actually feel the band tightening or anything, so just think of it as your weight loss booster shot! :-)

LOL! Now I can feel the difference. I had chicken for lunch I think I had a bit too big of a bite and I felt it. It feels like something is in the middle of my chest below my sternum. It was a bit annoying/uncomfortable but not painful. Guess I have to really slow down and take smaller bites.

I have to agree with the others. Floridays wasn't mean in the least, she was honest. Sometimes the truth isn't pleasant or easy to take, but it doesn't make it any less true just because we don't like it.
After reading your post, a few things struck me. First, your doctor is a jerk and you need to take control of your own health, starting with finding a new surgeon. The way he handled you was completely unacceptable. You both need and deserve a doctor to support and help you, not belittle and judge you.
The other thing that struck me is the fact you gave up after only 3 months and have lived for over 2 years with a great tool you never even began to use. I understand you're frustrated and sad because of the way things turned out for you, but you can't say the band didn't work for you when you never utilized it or gave it a chance.
The beauty of the band is the ability to start over. Find a new surgeon, re-educate yourself about the band, see a nutritionist to set up food guidelines that fit your lifestyle, and start using the tool inside you.
Best wishes. Don't give up.