Slippage? Pain in mid/ lower left

Manny · September 9, 2006

Hi all,

Was hoping someone could give me some advice ahead of me visting my surgeon.

I have had a pain in my left side just below my rib cage that comes and goes for about 2 months. My regular doctor believed it was a bowel issue due to lack of fibre- this sounded about right as my diet has become low in fibre due to less food of any sort in general.

I have upped my fibre intake and the problem went away for a while, tehn came back, so I was sent to a specialist for a second opinion. A CT scan didn't show any issues with my bowel, and the problem has for the most part resolved itself. The surgeon did mention that it appeared my band may have slipped- however he agreed that I had no sysmptoms associated with this and he admitted he was not too familiar with the placement of the band.

From what I can see, the band looks like it is where it should be, angled downwards towards the centre at about 40 degrees.. it looks a lot like the diagrams I have seen that show how a band is positioned.

Anyway, I will be seeing my band surgeon and showing him the Ct scans, so he will let me know what is going on, but in the meantime, has anyone had any experience either with the pain I have described, or any advice about the possible slippage?

Cheers.

Manny

em1125 · September 10, 2006

I'm newly banded. Four days post op and I have a sharp pain that comes on my left side about 4 inches below my breast. It feels as if I jumped or ran and got that cramp. If I'm relaxing it gets better but when i get up it's an annoying cramp on my left side while I walk, bend, or get up from a sitting position.

I did't think much of it b/c I have been banded 4 days ago.

health1st · September 10, 2006

Read this thread:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=23261

lap-Montreal · September 14, 2006

I am a new member as of today ...

I joined looking for answers as I just have been diagnosed with slippage this morning.

Yes, I had been experiencing abdominal pain in 2 locations:

middle thorax, pressure and difficulty breathing, and

yes pain lower left side below the rib cage.

But in my case I had other symptoms, like difficulty eating many types of solids and frequent Pb...

And recently, nothing would make it in, barely liquids ....

Hope this helps...

health1st · September 14, 2006

Lap, so sorry to hear about your slippage/prolaspe. How long have you had your band?

em1125 · September 14, 2006

lap-Montreal,

What are they going to do for you. Do you need it replaced/removed?

Good luck. Hope all goes well for you.

lap-Montreal · September 14, 2006

The news are so fresh, I still haven't had a chance to talk with my doctor.

I've read that surgery is the only way to resolve a slipped band, I just hope it can be done quickly as it is quite difficult right now.

I had my surgery dec. 7th 2005 (9 months ago)

Started at 246 pounds and

I've lost 75 pounds so far (now at 171)

Went from a size 22 to a size 12 (yes, 12 my last pair of jeans )

But It has been difficult for me all along.

From my first fill back in January(1.2 on a 4 ring), we only removed more and more (down to .4) as I kept Pb ing...

I now understand that my band probably slipped early on, and has simply got much worst recently...

health1st · September 15, 2006

lap-montreal

I've read on this board that some people get an total unfill for a slipped band and see if that settles things down. Of course it seems you are already almost unfilled. After a complete unfil, it is liquids for a while, then mushies etc. If that doesn't work then they may remove and replace the band. Or they may remove it, let things heal and then get a new band later. I did have to have my replaced due to a slip. There is life after a slipped band.

You've done so fantastic! It's been difficult and you've still done great! Sorry about the slip. Keep us posted on how you are doing and what your Doc says.

lap-Montreal · September 15, 2006

They've unfilled my ring totally last monday but as a matter of fact there wasn't much left in the ring. The x-ray was on thursday and I had barely eaten and been mostly on liquids for 3 weeks prior, and the ring still showed to be displaced.

So, now I have another x-ray monday AM, in case it gets better, but they told me to bring my suitcase as they are not really expecting any improvement and want to proceed with the surgery ASAP.

So this is probably the last chat I do until after I get back ...

I am nervous as things are really moving fast and I now know exactly what I'm heading into, and I didn't find it easy ...

I have to keep positive ... It's for the best .... and keep looking at my new pair of jeans size 12

Thanks for your support!