Lap band stopped working

[Enry 1]

I've had my lap band for 8 years and unil about 1 year ago I went from 230 to 140. The band was greaat, it limited my food intake like I expected it to do. It didn't allow me to over eat. Prior to last year, I was maintianing my weight between 140 and 143 UNTIL LAST YEAR.

I noticed that I was able to eat without restictions! I FELT THAT MY LAP BAND SOMEHOW DISAPPEARED. I told my doctor, he thought my band had slipped, however, the x rays did not show any change. I've been dealing with this ever since. I am now up to 170 and climibing. I tried other diets lose a few pounds then gain it back. My doctor just blows it off, telling me I 'm eating too much of the wrong things. Previously I could eat anything I wanted, just could not eat very much, ie a few bites.

I can't be the only one with this problem. I need input. I JUST WANT MY BAND BACK AND WORKING PROPERLY.

HELP!

Linda

[KateP 359]

Have you been checked for a leak?

If you could only eat a few bites and then were physically forced to stop eating, you were too tight! When I was banded in 2006, we were taught it SHOULD stop us but by around 2009, it was generally accepted that food passes through within a minute and so it is up to us to choose to stop, not be forced to stop. So ALL the band should do is dim hunger, not dictate quantities.

I have had several episodes of regain, twice I gained over 25lbs, once almost 20. But by going back to watching portion sizes, making good choices, walking away when I feel Ibhave had enough, I lost each time.

[AussieSam 234]

Sounds like you might need a fill. If your doctor refuses go to another doctor.

[KateP 359]

Sounds like you might need a fill. If your doctor refuses go to another doctor.

If the PP has been maintaining for many years with that level of fill, it s necessary to find out WHY she has no restriction before simply adding more. Saline levels shouid not drop unless there is a leak. I have not had a fill for about 7 1/2 years.

[Enry 1]

I have a theory....as I have had to many fills to count. At first I didn't need a fill for over a year. Then had some abdominal pain and had Fluid removed, x rays and endoscopy. all was fine. Went in occasionally, every 4-6 months for a few years. LOST 80 LBS OVER 5 YEARS.About a year ago, in the middle of the night I furned over in bed and got a sharp pain and it felt like it was my band. After that I noticed I no longer felt like I had a band at all. Again thinking my band had slipped. X ray showed otherwise. Yet from then on I felt like it wasn't there anymore. It like my stomach above the band was larger because I could eat without any feeling of fullness. My doctor says it didn't slip per x ray and blows me off. . I have gained 30 lbs now, trying other diets unsuccessfully, I depressed and lost. Maybe it didn't slip BUT

[KateP 359]

It should show with a barium swallow if you have a slip or dilation. It rally sounds like a leak! Have you had dye injected into the port under XRsy to check for leaks?

[B-52 7,113]

You're not the only one....

I believe my pouch can stretch just as the rest of my stomach can stretch.

I rely on my band - restriction, to limit the amount of food I can eat at any one sitting...

There are times I'm going along and then realize I am eating more than I usually could......can't believe I actually ate all that!!

It is then that I do my version of what some people call the "5 day Pouch Test"

What that term means I don't have a clue...test what?

This 5 day pouch test will not give you something you never had in the first place.

Anyway , I will lay off solid foods and go all liquids for 2-3 days...shakes, Soups, etc....it gives the band a rest, and allows the pouch to contract back to normal....after that, my restriction has returned, good as new....

What does a Dr. do if there is any issue? He/She will empty the band...gives the band a rest, allowing it to reset itself, return to where it should be....I go all liquids accomplishing the same thing...

I now do that on a regular basis every 4-6 weeks, and it usually takes me only 1-2 full days.

This is the only maintenance I can think of with one who has had lap band surgery.

This is something I believe and do....can't speak for others, and I know there are Banded people who think I'm full of baloney....

But I'm happy and that's all that matters.

[Enry 1]

thank you sooo much for the suggestions.

I will try athe 2=3 day liquids only to see if it resets itself. If that doesn't work I will ask for the dye injection for leaks and/or barium swallow to see if a slip or dilation has occured.