I was banded in January of this year and the good news is I have lost 70 pounds (still need to shed at least 30 lbs). The bad news is that I slipped badly and in May, the doctor fixed it. I was okay for a while. The band felt pretty tight after the fix so I never got a fill and now, a few months later, all the same symptoms are happening again when I had the slip--reflux at night (very bad), can hardly eat anything without having pain, etc. It's VERY upsetting and discouraging. I really thought this was the answer for me but the complications have been miserable.

I can't live like this, it's miserable. I'm afraid to eat anything solid at this point because it doesn't seem to pass through my system for hours. I can eat a few ounces and 12 hours later it still wants to come up.

I don't want a bypass but I am so afraid I will regain all the weight I've lost of I simply have it taken out.

Also, I am a self pay and the additional costs of the fix and all the tests are even more now than the original surgery and I am so concerned about money, to say the least.

Anyone have comments or suggestions?

:help:

shewhoknits: I am so sorry for your problems. What are the symptoms of a slip? From the couple of things you mentioned, I wonder if mine may have done the same. Can you please give a couple of more examples? Thanks

The first clue was gastric reflux at night. That's the worst--acid coming up and out of mouth and nose with NO warning. I am on Protonix but it doesn't do too much).

Also, even 1 ounce of food hurts around the stomach area.

I've tried weeks of liquid or mushies which seems to calm things down for a while, but first bite of solid food and all heck breaks loose.

Sometimes I feel as if I have ulcers or wonder if I have stomach aches because I'm sick, but I thnink the dang thing has slipped again.

It's not as severe as it was before--I can still swallow. When it was slipped before, I couldn't even get Water down and it was an emergency situation.

I will talk to Dr. tomorrow and see if he can put in a larger band. I no fill at the moment and still it managed to slip.

Urgh...

Also, I had an upper GI and to be honest, I don't think it told us much..."relatively normal" however I feel anything but normal.

hAS ANYONE HAD A SLIP REPAIRED OR REVISED TWICE AND HAVE IT WORK OKAY THE SECOND TIME? i JUST DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ON IT YET AND THE MORE i RED ABOUT BYPASS THE MORE SURE i BECOME i DON'T WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE.

hAS ANYONE HAD A SLIP REPAIRED OR REVISED TWICE AND HAVE IT WORK OKAY THE SECOND TIME? i JUST DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ON IT YET AND THE MORE i RED ABOUT BYPASS THE MORE SURE i BECOME i DON'T WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE.

Talk to Alexandra. I know that she had to have her first band removed earlier this year because of slippage and got a second one in August. She might be able to help.

I wouldn't even consider bypass, honestly. Why not gastric sleeve?

Weight-Loss Surgeries Compared

HOw do you knoiw you had anther slip...Did you go back to the Dr and get a fluro xray..I have had one slip and fixed but I am not sure if I have anther slip till I see the Dr. on Wed if they call me back.

I have had an upper Gi and the radiologist said it was normal but the bariatric surgeon still needs to look at it.

I am having similar symptoms again--most particularly the reflux at night--Ugh, I hate that the most!

My band is very tight and a lot of foods hurt and I can't eat too much.

The doctor said there is a larger band and if there is not a slip he could replace it. But he said if it has slipped again the only option he sees in conversion to bypass (I have decided NOT to do this) or take it off. I am completely self pay so this is all very much of a financial burden.

I was banded in January of this year and the good news is I have lost 70 pounds (still need to shed at least 30 lbs). The bad news is that I slipped badly and in May, the doctor fixed it. I was okay for a while. The band felt pretty tight after the fix so I never got a fill and now, a few months later, all the same symptoms are happening again when I had the slip--reflux at night (very bad), can hardly eat anything without having pain, etc. It's VERY upsetting and discouraging. I really thought this was the answer for me but the complications have been miserable.

I can't live like this, it's miserable. I'm afraid to eat anything solid at this point because it doesn't seem to pass through my system for hours. I can eat a few ounces and 12 hours later it still wants to come up.

I don't want a bypass but I am so afraid I will regain all the weight I've lost of I simply have it taken out.

Also, I am a self pay and the additional costs of the fix and all the tests are even more now than the original surgery and I am so concerned about money, to say the least.

Anyone have comments or suggestions?

:help:

I am going to TJ tomorrow..I have OVER EATEN. I am afraid of second slippage..Acid Reflux at night, but that is about all

If I eat too much the chest hurts and that gives me a good sign I am full..I am self pay. I had mine first repaired in Mar 07.

I am LOOKING AROUND FOR A HMO PPO RIGHT NOW TO GET SECOND MEDICAL COVERAGE...I HAVE TRICARE WEST THRU MY HUSBAND BEING A MILITARY RETIREE.. BUT I A FEDERAL WORKER AND OPEN SEASON IS HERE.. I HAVE 60 DAYS TO CHOOSE A SECOND MEDICAL PLAN..SO I AM CHOOSING ONE THAT COVERS LAP BANDS AND IF IF I HAVE HAD ANOTHER SLIP,, I HOPE THIS SECOND MEDICAL WILL COVER IT. I AM AFRAID OF WHAT I WILL FIND OUT TOMORROW.. I HAVE BEEN EMPTY FOR 2 MONTHS BECAUSE I WAS HOLDING MY OWN WEIGHT AND DIDNT NEED A FILL. BUT WHEN I WENT DOWN 2 MONTHS AGO,, MY FILL DR SAID THE STOMA WAS STRETCHED.. SO I DONT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT TOMORROW WHEN I GO BACK DOWN TO TJ.... TOTAL COST FOR BOTH SURG HAS BEEN 13000.. I UNDERSTAND YOUR STIUATION...8000 FOR ORG LAP BAND AND 5000 FOR FIXING THE SLIP...

DIANE IN SAN DIEGO

I've slipped again--it's the second time. Going in for revision Thursday. I don't want it removed, I want him to fix it or put in a bigger band.

Ugh!

What if you get a sleeve and be done with all of it? No more fills, slips, erosion potential, just get the sleeve and you are ALL done.

I have been completely unhappy with my band since I got in on 3/26/07 and would go with RNY bypass in a heartbeat. However, my disappointment has been solely based on restriction issues (or lack thereof) and has absolutely NOTHING to do with slippage, PBing, vomiting, erosion, etc.

Hindsight is 20/20 and for me....I should have gone with bypass to begin with.

I wouldn't even consider bypass, honestly. Why not gastric sleeve?

Weight-Loss Surgeries Compared

I agree. VSG. You obviously did well with the band ... why not go with the other purely restrictive procedure?

I think I'd do the DS over RNY too. IMO - if you're going to go all the way, do it right the first time!<O:p</O:p

I had my band placed 2 1/2 years ago and i am having the same exact eymptoms. I went to the doctor last week and am having the GI tests in 5 days to see if it slepped. I almost hoped it did, that way I can have it fixed and get rid of these symptoms because I don't think i can live with them much longer.

I'm 2 months post-op with a revison from lap band to RNY and in all honesty, it's not as "evil" (RNY) as people keep saying it is. I had my lap band for 3 1/2 years before it started giving me problems (slip with some erotion) Everyone says go with the VSG, but remember...you're having 3/4 of you stomach removed and over 300 staples placed there. Also as far as DS...great procedure...but the amount of supplements you have to take is incredible. Now as far as RNY..I only have to take 1 multi vitamin, calcium, and my iron supplement...same EXACT stuff I took with my lap band. As far as diet...basically the SAME as lap band....nothing with more then 14 grams of carbs per serving and no more than 7 grams of sugar. Also have to get in that 60 - 70 grams of protein. My 6 week post-op labs were PERFECT, text book PERFECT to be exact. It's a VERY personal decision on which WLS is going to work for you, so in all honestly do your research and do what you feel is right for YOU and not what people on message boards post is the BEST because what works for one might not work for all! Also one last thing...dumping is NOT a horrible thing, I look at it as a POSTIVE thing. It helps me and countless other people stay on track to avoid high sugar, fried, and fatty foods :biggrin1: