Hey Guys,

It's been a while since I've posted. I've actually moved from New Jersey to Atlanta in July and have been busy settling in. I've noticed that I PB a lot more that I used to and I'm starting to notice a little pain in my stomach where my port is.

Part of the problem is , that I'm in Atlanta now and I can't seem to find a doctor who will see me regarding this here. My surgeon was in New Jersey (Dr. Abkin's office) and when I call them, they tell me to fly up to see them which is kind of hard to do.

I really wanted to see if anyone knows the symptoms of slippage before I book a flight out.

Thanks,:think

I had slippage and was rebanded. My symptoms of slippage were only lthe fact that I started having bad acid reflux at night when I would try to lie down and started spitting up black tarry looking material, not really vomit, just spit up. I still had restriction and was still only eating small portions. Some people have a loss of restirction with slippage, there are no true clear cut symptoms of slippage, the only way I knew for sure it was slippage was by fluoroscopy in xray. Go to the USA section of the forums and go to Georgia and post there to see if you can find someone who might can help you find a doc in the Atlanta area. Good luck to you.

That's what I was going to say, too. Slippage manifests differently depending on many factors, and I don't think you can definitively diagnose yourself (outside of an inability to swallow your own saliva--that's a pretty sure sign).

I hope your'e able to find a local doctor--it shouldn't be impossible by any means. Hell, what if you had heart surgery in one state and moved to another? Contact Inamed if you're really having trouble; they may be able to help.

Thanks so much for the feedback Ladies. I absolutely love Lapbandtalk. I can always come here for resources and knowledgeable people. I am going to start on my quest to find a doctor here. I really feel the need to see one just to be sure everything is okay. I notice that I only really PB when I eat too fast.

Dr Ponce in Dalton Ga will probably see you , but I think he's pretty expensive if you have not been banded by him.

I had slippage. When it happend, they let all of my fluid out and it actually fixed itself. I know that is not the norm, but it's just some more feedback.

One thing I suggest if you are having trouble is to go back to liquid for a little bit. Things might be irritated and that could be part of the problem.

Hi,

My band slipped in July of 2005. The Symptoms I had were reflux at first then I could eat more than usual but I was in pain every time I lay down or walked. I had it checked (fluoroscopy) and the stuff they make you drink was barely making it through my band. They took all the Water out and now I can pretty much eat anything in small quantities but I get hungery real fast sometimes as soon as 20 minuits after I feel stuffed!

Go to a doctor, perferably one with a lot of experiance. Good luck I hope it is just nervers.

Bonnie

Me too: When my band slipped, I had major reflux. I was chewing Prevacid tablets after almost every meal, plus I was really tight. Not to encourage any bad behaviors here, but when my band slipped I actually reached my goal weight. But the reflux was too much. My doctor ended up removing all the Fluid from the band and the band fixed itself. Then I could eat like a freakin' horse. Put back the 20 lbs I lost when I slipped. But that's a whole other story for another thread.

Have the fluid removed from your band and see if it helps. Then you can have fluid gradually added 'til you find your sweet spot. Don't let it go on for too long if you're refluxing. I hear esophogeal erosion is a real risk!

JD

I had my band slip and was re-banded in Feb. '04. My symptoms were severe acid reflux at night to the point I would constantly wake up choking. During the day I could not keep ANYTHING at all down...not even small bites of popsicle. My band had actually not "slipped" but the bottom of my stomach had traveled quite a distance migrating up through the band and kind of twisting in the process, according to my doctor.

Another clue that something was terribly wrong was the 13 lb. weight loss in 14 days. No pain at all, just couldn't keep any food or liquids down. I had 3 barium swallows in a 2 week period and the verbiage in the Radiologist's report did not really indicate to the doctor that it was "classic signs of band slippage" so until my doctor actually saw the films he didn't think that was my problem. When he finally saw the films he was like, "YIKES-Holy cow! We've got to fix this and fix it NOW!". He did emergency surgery the next day.

Good luck to you!

Jackie Callaham

Georgetown, TX

Hi- Its been awhile since I posted- but the issue of band slippage has been on my mind- I went to a fill appointment with the intention of maybe or maybe not getting a fill, I really needed to "see" my placement, as I have made a few mistakes and was worried I had dislodged the band. My quantity of food was too large and I was sure I had screwed everything up...well, I ended up getting my 3rd fill last week (banding date was10/08/05 with Dr. Kuri)- I now have the magic "retention" finally and seriously can only eat 3-4 ounces of food before a PB attack(very painful and very convincing) - that, and seeing the band is still there - on the fluoroscopy ---well, I am back on track "mentally" and so far have a 40 lb loss. Happy days;) Patty O. Vista CA

I had a fill in January and ever since, I have been PBing often. During the night, I have to spit constantly. Is this a sign of band slippage? If I do nothing about it, what are the long term effects. I really don't want to have surgery again.

Choppy!:help:

Choppy, it sounds like you need a small un-fil. Being too tight Can cause long term side effects, encuding removal. You need to call and tell your doctor. ..JMO

Hi Everyone,

I am just wondering if the patients that are having slippage were done before they started stitching the band in place? Or do they slip anyway. It must hurt because if it is sewn down wouldnt it have to tear away in order to move? I was told that they used to not sew them in place and that now they do and that they slip less often. What do you all say?

Thanks,

I was banded Sept 2007 and I had a fill about 6 weeks ago so I am due for another I have 6.5 cc now and the last fill it took me over a week to even be able to eat anything. Now the last week I have experienced alot of heart burn more at night to the point that it wakes me up and the Prilosec and tums do not due the trick and also been experiencing some shoulder pain when I do get something down. It sounds weird but could this be a slipped band? I have seen my Dr for a spot that we thought was a hernia but he does not think so I am not wondering if it is not to do with the band.

I am very discouraged and at times wondering why I did this? My husband is getting upset with me because I can never eat anything

This could just be a case of a too-tight band. You have all the symptoms. Maybe you just need an unfill. I get the shoulder pain when I'm too tight or when I've eaten too much.

I've had a too-tight band and a slipped band (original band in '03, revision in '06). The difference was the reflux was unbearable with the slipped band...I couldn't even lay down without choking. My too-tight bands the reflux was milder, and didn't burn as much, and I could get a minor-unfill and the reflux went away immediately. I'd recommend an unfill (either all or part) and then monitor the reflux. Then you'll have your answer.

Thanks for the info i am hoping that it is a easy to fix. I really do not feel like going abck in right now to have it taken out. I have to call my dr and move my apt up a week if possible. Thanks again

Hey Guys,

It's been a while since I've posted. I've actually moved from New Jersey to Atlanta in July and have been busy settling in. I've noticed that I PB a lot more that I used to and I'm starting to notice a little pain in my stomach where my port is.

Part of the problem is , that I'm in Atlanta now and I can't seem to find a doctor who will see me regarding this here. My surgeon was in New Jersey (Dr. Abkin's office) and when I call them, they tell me to fly up to see them which is kind of hard to do.

I really wanted to see if anyone knows the symptoms of slippage before I book a flight out.

Thanks,:think

I just had the lap band surgery June 10, '08. Am feeling well, but appetite is back and I'm tending to eat too much....wondering if the band has slipped, thus causing me to be able to eat more.

I really like the dr. who did my surgery, Dr. William Johnson, Atlanta Bariatrics, in Johns Creek (No. Fulton County), GA. Surgery was done at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Don't have the dr.'s ofc. number handy, but I know of two new patients Dr. Johnson and his partner, Dr. Christopher Hart, have inherited since the patients have moved to Atlanta. I met them at a monthly support group meeting, and they both like the drs. here. I hope you don't have to go back to N.J. for a checkup!!

Band of Help, Roswell GA

Thanks for any info