I've been under tremendous stress for about 2 months (back on antidepressants, sleep meds and trying to find a counselor that is a good fit). Since the stress started, it seems my band has been extremely tight and has made eating difficult, to the point that I started a lot of vomiting. Now it's to the point that I've barely had any solid food for about a month. I've had shakes, broth, etc. (if that stays down) but not much else (had one good day about 2 weeks ago that some very tender pork roast stayed down, it was so delicous!!)

I am not where I can return to my surgeon (military family) and I was a self pay (March 2007). I never had any issues with my band and my last fill was more than 2 years ago.

I think my band has slipped with the stress and the vomiting. I mentioned it to my general doc who gave me a referral to a local band doc. I called to make my appointment but was told that I can't make an appointment until I take the seminar which is every 3 Tuesday of the month. Which brought up a concern, it's already been quite a while since I've really had anything nutritious, so should I go even longer, especially 3 more weeks. I explained the situation to the lady who transferred me to a supervisor who then explained that this local band doc will not look at anyone that was banded by another doc. She said that if I thought there was slippage and hadn't eaten for as long as I've said, that constitutes an emergency room visit and then they would remove the band.

I don't want it removed!!

I mean, if all I need is an unfill, then why remove it? And I refuse to get where I was before and she said, well, you can always request insurance to pay for it to be put back in. But I can't now because I am at goal weight.

If they do remove it, is my appetite going to come back full force like it was before the band?

I feel like the band has been a savior to me, to my life, my well being, etc. She explained I could die if something happened (didn't really catch what it was she said, I was still really upset about the fact that she said they'd just remove it, without even looking to see if that's the problem).

I don't think there's any other doc in the area that my general doc can refer.

I haven't even told my husband about all this yet. However, he did mention the other day that he was concerned and he's afraid it's slipped too. I am going to speak to him when he comes in this evening. I am just so frustrated by this situation. Even as miserable and hungry as I am right now, I don't want it removed.

Does your insurance have a copay? You might end up paying more in copays then to see a band doctor. We didnt have a doctor in my area when I first got banded but I posted on here and found a RN that specialized in bands and she unfilled me so it saved me a flight and several days of pain. Maybe you could check on that. Have your primary order all the tests mentioned in these posts and then try to see a band doctor. I know you are financially hurting but it will cost you ten times as much to have a doctor remve your band if that isn't necessary. Maybe you can call the nearest band doctor that doesnt want to perform surgery over the phone and explain your situation. Beg to be seen and set up payment arrangements. You would be surprised how many places have charity money for these instances. Hope things get better and you don't need surgery.

Hi ,

I am new and do not have a band yet but From what I read you need an unfill right ? First let me say You gp should be able to do an unfill for you it is just a port !!

I have an s/p and in my case the ers are useless I just learned to fill an unfill my foleys bollons and put them in and out I have also done my own piccs and iv meds, and s/p tube removals me self and I am half blind so .

You are dealing with a port ( this is like a picc in a way look it up on you tube )

Call the doctor that put it is and find out what size and kind the needles to get ( ports take a curved type I thnk ) then ask you doc . For an rx for then they also should be able to tell you how to do an unfill .

Hi ,

I am new and do not have a band yet but From what I read you need an unfill right ? First let me say You gp should be able to do an unfill for you it is just a port !!

I have an s/p and in my case the ers are useless I just learned to fill an unfill my foleys bollons and put them in and out I have also done my own piccs and iv meds, and s/p tube removals me self and I am half blind so .

You are dealing with a port ( this is like a picc in a way look it up on you tube )

Call the doctor that put it is and find out what size and kind the needles to get ( ports take a curved type I thnk ) then ask you doc . For an rx for then they also should be able to tell you how to do an unfill .

If a dr has never unfilled/filled a port, I would not be their first try. They could easily puncture your tubing, thus making the band defective unless you have another surgery to fix it.

If it's a last resort, find someone who knows ports (think chemo nurse) and have them do an unfill. Also, you could look into Fill Centers USA and see if there is someone local to help you.

http://www.medicaltourismco.com/weight-loss/lap-band-fills.php

Well, I am now in the hospital, admitted Wednesday evening with my glucose at 42. They don't know crap here, I explained the barium swallow to the doc but the only one in town that does anything to do with the band my doc allowed me refuse her treatment since she refused to see me, even when he called her directly. My doc/insurance is expediting paperwork to get me into San Diego asap. In the meantime, they've got me on an IV. There have been a couple of hospital staff that have been nice and understanding but I swear some are very judgmental. The ER doc even asked why I got it, like I have to explain why I wanted to be healthy!

Hi ,

I am new and do not have a band yet but From what I read you need an unfill right ? First let me say You gp should be able to do an unfill for you it is just a port !!

I have an s/p and in my case the ers are useless I just learned to fill an unfill my foleys bollons and put them in and out I have also done my own piccs and iv meds, and s/p tube removals me self and I am half blind so .

You are dealing with a port ( this is like a picc in a way look it up on you tube )

Call the doctor that put it is and find out what size and kind the needles to get ( ports take a curved type I thnk ) then ask you doc . For an rx for then they also should be able to tell you how to do an unfill .

Sorry, but this is bad advice.

I am a licensed nurse practitioner who is experienced at accessing chemotherapeutic ports (called port-a-cath), which is not like accessing a PICC or IV line at all. They do not use a curvy needle (called a Huber needle) to access lap band ports- they use a straight needle with a stopcock on it to control the amount of Fluid. I would never access a lap band port for anyone, although I have been asked to, because I have not been formally trained to do so. You will not find any prudent medical professional who will do that for someone, much less write a rx for you to do it yourself, no matter how much you beg.

Congratulations on becoming more independent and self-sufficient at home by managing your own Foley catheter, PICC/IV meds and tubing. I have spent the last 20 years of my nursing career in home health teaching people to do just that and it is truly a wonderful accomplishment that you should be proud of.

I certainly mean no offense, but I had to speak up regarding the danger in what you are suggesting- a misplaced needle could puncture the tubing or worse by hitting nerves, blood vessels or organs.

People are usually rude when it comes to weight loss surgery. They have their minds made up about it without educating themselves and unfortunatley a case like your is an "I told you so moment". Don't worry about them becuase they aren't important. Hopefully they will get you to a good band doctor that can help.

Anything new from newhope4me today?

After much frustration and little sleep, I am now home and feeling so much better! The local band doc came in to speak to me and we argued. Turns out, her office miscommunicated to me what could happen in an emergency situation. Her office (as I believe I stated earlier) told me in an emergency situation, they would remove the band. My doc was unable to contact her directly and only spoke with apparently the same "assistant" that I spoke with. The doc cleared everything up with me and explained that unless they see slippage, or obvious problems, they unfill, not remove the band that was inserted by another surgeon.

And when I say argued, I mean we argued! LOL At the time she came in, I was functioning on practically no sleep and had just been told that the doc in San Diego that my insurance had approved for me would be out of town for a week. I was exhausted, mentally and physically, I was frustrated, angry and just done.

I am paranoid of regaining weight; however, that paranoia so far is making me very diligent about what I'm eating (even though right now I'm on "gentle, flu like foods"). There are a few things that I am going to eat since I can (sushi!!) but I'm going to try to maintain unfilled. The doc also referred me to a medical provider that does fills locally. I am feeling better than I have in a while. I appreciate all the advice, info and support.

Also, my last day in the hospital, I found out there were some changes at work so the stress there has been reduced greatly too! I almost feel like I've won the lotto

Thats awesome. So what did they say the problem was? Just had the tummy irritated and caused the band to tighten? Sounds like it wasn't a slip so thats great news. It is ridiculous that it took a hospital admission to get your band unfilled. Definately eat if you can. Let your tummy settle down and get fills in small incriments so this doesn't happen again. i have tried to wait out a tight band before and it only got worse so sometimes all you can do is get some fluid out and let your body heal.