Lap Band Slippage after 10 1/2 years

[Sherree.mongrain 5]

I got my band in 10 1/2 years ago. I love my band...don't get me wrong, I have had plenty of struggles, some of them severe. But I have lost 134 pounds and have stayed withing 5 to 10 pounds of my current weight 142 for a few years. I have had my fill completely removed several times and the refilling process is almost always grueling. But then I get to my sweet spot and the weight comes off.

That brings me to my current problem...about 2 1/2 months ago, I began to have serious reflux problems. You know what I mean...regurgitating acid through the night, cough, hoarse throat, nausea, etc. I did research on the proper GERD/reflux diet and made lifestyle changes, which I tracked. I have been on Dexilant--off and on--for 4 or 5 years. I finally went to my Gastrointestinal doc and she ordered and endoscopy and doubled my Dexilant dosage. Other than a small hyatal hernia, everything inside looked okay. So my doc scheduled a CT scan of my abdomen with and without contrast. They called me this morning to say It looks like my band has slipped and they wanted an Upper GI done. I called my bariatric surgeon's office and am waiting for them to call back to schedule. Needless to say, I am really freaked out! With this going on for almost 3 months, I am so worried about what may be going on and what damage might have occurred. I have put off dealing with this, and over the years, other physical problems related to my band, because I don't want them to take it out or unfill it. I still want to lose some more weight!

On top of all that, my only daughter is getting married in 2 months! Does anyone have a story that will encourage me? I don't want a sleeve or other gastric surgery. Is it inevitable that the band will have to be removed?

Help!!!!!

[JBT222 51]

Talking to my Dr., he said he has had very few bands slip and it is pretty rare. I don't remember him saying how they fixed it though. I would assume it is a simple procedure to just readjust it and not completely remove the device and start over. It is probably going to be something your band dr will need to comment on after he sees what is going on in there.

Congrats on the wedding. Hopefully they can do something simple and fix it well before the date.

[NaNa 878]

I got my band in 10 1/2 years ago. I love my band...don't get me wrong, I have had plenty of struggles, some of them severe. But I have lost 134 pounds and have stayed withing 5 to 10 pounds of my current weight 142 for a few years. I have had my fill completely removed several times and the refilling process is almost always grueling. But then I get to my sweet spot and the weight comes off.

That brings me to my current problem...about 2 1/2 months ago, I began to have serious reflux problems. You know what I mean...regurgitating acid through the night, cough, hoarse throat, nausea, etc. I did research on the proper GERD/reflux diet and made lifestyle changes, which I tracked. I have been on Dexilant--off and on--for 4 or 5 years. I finally went to my Gastrointestinal doc and she ordered and endoscopy and doubled my Dexilant dosage. Other than a small hyatal hernia, everything inside looked okay. So my doc scheduled a CT scan of my abdomen with and without contrast. They called me this morning to say It looks like my band has slipped and they wanted an Upper GI done. I called my bariatric surgeon's office and am waiting for them to call back to schedule. Needless to say, I am really freaked out! With this going on for almost 3 months, I am so worried about what may be going on and what damage might have occurred. I have put off dealing with this, and over the years, other physical problems related to my band, because I don't want them to take it out or unfill it. I still want to lose some more weight!

On top of all that, my only daughter is getting married in 2 months! Does anyone have a story that will encourage me? I don't want a sleeve or other gastric surgery. Is it inevitable that the band will have to be removed?

Help!!!!!

My advice, you got that old 4cc band and it has probably run its course and has done ALL that can be done, you've lost weight been successful all these years.

If you have the 4cc band, it probably needs to come out, I loved my old 4cc band too, but unfortunately they are hard on the body long term and this is the reason 4cc bands are no longer used in the US because they easily caused pouch dilation's/ esophageal dilation's, hernias, horrible reflux, everything you mentioned, I've had...

I got sick and tired of the unfil/refill game and reflux .

I got my old band removed hiatal hernia repaired and new AP band installed all in one surgery, and I am very happy I did.

My old surgeon wanted to revise me to the Sleeve, I refused, don't want my stomach removed and it stretches out for many long term and it was worth getting a new band even if it only last for 10 more years.

This new band feels a lot better for me, no reflux or burning or Pbing since my surgeon over 10 months ago.

Good luck