Hello all! It's been a long time since I posted.

I quit posting because I have a stalker friend and she will probably get this because she is probably linked on to me but what the heck ~ She is SOOOO psycho ~

Sarah you are a PSYCHO!!! Mind your own business...:thumbdown:

Anyway

I think I may have a slipped band.

I was banded 8/6/05 by Dr Ortiz.

Thoroughly happy with him and everything until recently.

Things have been good up until the last 2 months.

Lots of bping because I can never tell if it will let me eat or not and so when I try and it won't then I have to throw up.

Sometimes it would let me eat, other times not but if I had the band set any looser it would let me eat all day anything.

(I had about 1cc in it)

So I decided to leave it tighter rather than looser.

When it's tighter, I could only eat or drink between noon and 6pm. This was working great for me. I was losing about 3lbs a month. It could have been more had I cut out the carbs that I love : )

I got sick around Christmas twice and that was bad. I think that THAT throwing up screwed my band up.

After that I could only eat solids occasionally.

Now it's worse.

The past two weeks it's been only some types of mushies and Protein drinks. Still just between noon and 5 or 6pm to avoid reflux as much as possible.

I got very dehydrated the end of Dec - early Jan to where my eyesight was blurry and my eyes were sunken, I was weak, dry mouth, thirsty, my urine was very dark, and I was literally dreaming at night about drinking lots of water!

But I eventually figured out how to fix that.

Get all my Water in through watered down Protein Drinks eating no mushies or solids until after I have had ALL my liquid, otherwise the mushies or solids would plug me up for the day.

During Nov till just a couple weeks ago I would joke that I was like a snake. I could eat solids and have a regular meal and then not be able to eat much for a couple of days. The band would just tighten up a lot. The bad part about that is that when I would try to eat I would throw up if it wasn't ready for food that day and so it began to be a lot of bping. Sometimes 10 times a day or more. I was hungry though.

I have also had bad reflux the past 3 mo.

I had all my fill taken out 3 days ago and rather than feeling open, it felt more swollen in my esophagus. I thought this would fix it but NO!

My reflux is worse because whatever is in the lower stomach comes back up into the upper and then sits in my esophagus when I lay down to sleep until I have to throw it up. Even when I havent had anything after 6pm. I still cant eat ANYTHING.

I think I have a slip. The only thing I can keep down is watered down protein drinks.

I tried eating after the fill was taken out and it went down but some came back up. I was so thirsty I drank a lot of water and while I was asleep it came up and even came out my nose! I tried one more time to eat soft solids yesterday and all of it I thew up.

So I only dare drink the watered down protein drinks. It's good enough to keep me going and I feel really good as long as I don't eat.

I can't drink water alone.

I need to know what I should do or who to see to get it checked.

Someone said get an upper GI. Who does that?

I'm not worried if all it is is a slip.

I am worried if there is erosion.

I started out at 179 and now I am at 156.

If I have to take it out, I'll just have to lose that next 20 myself.

I have loved the band though and I will be sad if I lose this tool. But I don't keep ALL the rules. If I did, I wouldnt be here in this situation.

Who do I call?

Have any of you experienced anything like this and it just been an inflamed stomach?

I don't think I'm gonna be that lucky here.

I'm pretty sure it's slipped.

Anybody know how much it costs to have it taken out?

Here in USA?

Mexico?

I am so happy to find this thread. I was banded April, 2008 and have reached my goal weight. I was really happy with myself and loved my band.... Then, for the last three weeks I have had horrible acid reflux and heartburn. Today I tried drinking a SlimFast and that didn't even stay down. I have been to my doctor and he took out 1cc----that only leaves 1cc left----problems didn't go away. He didn't seem worried about a band slippage. So if I do have a stoma obstruction----what do I do now??? How do you get un-stuck? I can't exist on water!

Help!

I had a similar situation. I was fine for the first 3 years, but then started waking up in the night coughing up liquid. I also had horrible reflux and heartburn. I had an upper GI right after Christmas and they found a hiatial hernia and that the band had slipped. I went to the Dr. and he took out all my fill. For the first 2 days I felt much better but then began getting sick. I kept track of what I ate for the 16 days after the unfill and I found my heart burn was less, but I still threw up 18 times. I went back to the dr friday and he said the band needed to be removed. I would make sure your dr. stays on top of it. I am frustrated that I have lived like this for the past year. I was throwing up almost daily, sometimes even Water or Protein shakes.

Now I have to decide if I want another band if insurance will pay for it. I am not sure what I want to do. I started at 256 4 years ago and am now 170, size 12. I would love to lose more, and don't know if it is possible without the band!

hi all

please can you define band slippage for me thankyou

wendy

hi all

please can you define band slippage for me thankyou

wendy

A slip is when your stomach slides up through the band. It's not the band that moves, it's your stomach. Usually the back half of your stomach slides up your band and your pouch ends up much bigger.

Hi just wondering what Dr. did your surgery I was banded in Tijuana too and had no complaints but just found out my band slipped did you have to pay to get it fixed did they give you a new one? Just wondering what your options were?

Thanks

Hi My name is Saundra I live in the beautiful city of Phoenix Az, I was banded 07/27/08. Recently I started not being able to each any meats at all, I call Dr Fangs offie and they think I have slippage. Pray that this is not the case. I am completely off all blood pressure medicine. I do not want to go back on meds.

Hi just wondering what Dr. did your surgery I was banded in Tijuana too and had no complaints but just found out my band slipped did you have to pay to get it fixed did they give you a new one? Just wondering what your options were?

Thanks

A greater majority of the time if you slip you can just get an unfill, go on liquids for a few weeks and the slip is self correcting. Did your fill doctor even try this? Rarely do you need surgical correction.

I had my band slip in November. (I had Dr. Ortiz place mine also). You possibly sound like a dilated pouch or too full. I was going through the same issues you are now. HOWEVER, when I became very ill and vomited from my lower ab (not the usual pb'ing) it felt like I pulled a muscle. If you have a slipped band, after you eat/drink anything, you will have excruciating pain in your abdomen area. Pain like you never felt before. The ER could not figure the problem out after xrays and ultrasounds. Not until 3 days later I had a barium swallow to find that the band slipped. You probaby need to deflate for several months to let your esophagus shrink back down (or possibly you have developed a hiatial hernia - that was my problem also - you have an additional 'pouch' above the banding that catches food/water causing the reflux at night). Trust me, if you have a slipped band, your belly will be hurting after any food/water intake. Good luck and best wishes! please get it checked out.

PS - my band slippage was an emergency trip to the OR. The Dr. had planned to take it out and leave it out. I begged him to replace it. I am very similar to Amywin 12 also. I was 260lb and now down to 167. I have a eating disorder and knew I would not be able to keep the weight off on my own, and I also know I wouldnt qualify for insurance to cover me at a later date to have the lapband replaced. (I would have to gain 100lb to requalify). Between the Dr. and I it was a HUGE gamble, and I was warned that the insurance might not pay for the replacment of the band. I again begged to have the band replaced - and it was with the newest generation of lapband. You know what? The insurance paid 80% of the entire procedure. I am so HAPPY! I cannot imagine life without the lapband as this little band has helped me with my health and self esteem. If you do have insurance, have the slippage, need surgery - please take the gamble and ask your Dr. to replace the band. Insurance companies are poopy when you try to requalify later down the road (I know I am a nurse). Good luck!

Good News I went to see my doctor and had to get the fill taken out and go on liquids for 2 weeks, but no surgery Praise God!!!, I was told that the artifical sweetners causes the stomach to swell and that this can casue slippage....any suggestions on what to use other than sweetners that are made with chlorine?

I had my band slip in November. (I had Dr. Ortiz place mine also). You possibly sound like a dilated pouch or too full. I was going through the same issues you are now. HOWEVER, when I became very ill and vomited from my lower ab (not the usual pb'ing) it felt like I pulled a muscle. If you have a slipped band, after you eat/drink anything, you will have excruciating pain in your abdomen area. Pain like you never felt before. The ER could not figure the problem out after xrays and ultrasounds. Not until 3 days later I had a barium swallow to find that the band slipped. You probaby need to deflate for several months to let your esophagus shrink back down (or possibly you have developed a hiatial hernia - that was my problem also - you have an additional 'pouch' above the banding that catches food/water causing the reflux at night). Trust me, if you have a slipped band, your belly will be hurting after any food/water intake. Good luck and best wishes! please get it checked out.

Thanks for your posts.. They were very helpful. I do have an upper hiatial hernia which they say they are going to fix. Also, they told me I have too much stomach above the band, like you also mentioned. I have been deflated for about 1 month now. Vomiting has lessened but still occurs, along with pain inside. Insurance is pending approval of a new band. I have a surgery tentatively scheduled for March 10th. That would be the day of fixing the hernia and taking out and replacing or just taking out the band. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a new one, and don't know what I'll do if insurance denies me.

I just found out about 2 weeks ago that my band has slipped. This is what lead up to finding out and the problems I’m having and facing now that I know.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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I had the band placed on 10/25/07 and have lost about 120 lbs so far. During last summer I was filled too much and had crazy reflux and two months in a row I had unfills. Then I was fine for 6 months. Then this past holiday season, between xmas and new years I started having weird symptoms. It started with weird side pains when I ate. I'd have the tight pain in my left chest/shoulder, felt short of breathe from the side pains, couldn't breathe very deep. (I actually passed out around new years once). Over the course of three weeks it lead to reflux on everything even water, just burping up a little bit of everything all day. Then progressed into 24/7 uncontrollable heart burn. On Fri 1/9 I called the hospital because I couldn’t sleep at all or eat any solid food. I had to wait until the following Wednesday to see my surgeon. I was on liquids for nearly a week until I saw him.<o:p></o:p>

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On 1/14 my surgeon removed just over a CC of fluid and ordered a full blood panel and an upper GI. He said it could be one of 3 things. 1) mega esophagus 2) slippage or 3) erosion. He thought it was #1 for sure since I wasn't throwing up, I could keep food down. It just reeked havoc on me until it passed. He said if it was the esophagus problem, worst case would be band removal. (freak out!) I had the upper GI done on 1/16.<o:p></o:p>

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I felt great after the unfill and the upper GI. The Upper GI found that my band had indeed slipped. My surgeon isn't concerned with it as is unless it keeps causing me problems. Now he says that I might just need a revision surgery, he didn't speak of removal. His plan if it keeps acting up is to remove all fluid, then if worse, schedule a revision surgery. I’m set to see him again in 8 weeks, but he said that if the reflux returns or any other symptoms to come back and see him.<o:p></o:p>

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In the last week my symptoms have started flaring up again. I’m hoping to get in to see him next Wednesday. My poor husband can’t sleep at night when I’m up pb’ing, choking on acid reflux and coughing up spit foam (I can’t seem to throw up even when I try because I hope to get some relief, just sliming and pb’ing).<o:p></o:p>

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Note, I’ve also had other weird abdominal symtoms that I’ve checked with my GP with, she then referred me to the GI specialist. Whenever there is food in my stomach at all no matter what it is, I get these weird side pains, still short of breathe, crazy abdominal cramping and weird uncomfortable radiating back pain. They don’t seem related to the band other than it only happens when food is in my stomach. My lapband surgeon didn’t seem to know what those pains were from and how they were related. So that’s why I’m going to see the GI specialist. Who knows!<o:p></o:p>

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I'm so scared. I don't want another surgery, I don't want it removed. It's done for me what I can't do for myself. I've made drastic changes to my life and food habits, but I still don't trust myself without it. I want this band to work. I want to be able to live with it.<o:p></o:p>

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<o:p> If anyone has experience with slippage like this, please continue to share. All of this informaiton in this thread has been really helpful. I noted the smoking, coffee, chocolate, mint and articicial sweetners as triggers. This week I am going to cut out these items (coffee has already been reduced to 2x's per week from daily.)</o:p>

I just found out yesterday from my surgeon that I'm having revision surgery next tuesday on 3/3/09 to have my slip fixed, worst case scenario removed...

Best of luck to you...maybe if the band has to be removed, they can replace it later? Is that an option?

Hi Morningoasis

I just read your update and i am having the same issues.

The pain on the one side and out of breathe and back pain are definately related. I just talked to my surgeon today and she reviewed my scans and said i dont have a slipped band but A dilated pouch.

Her advice was the same wait those 6 weeks which i have 3 weeks left to see if the stomach will fall back down through the band and if not than a revision to the band. Im in Canada so that means back to Tijauna where i got my surgery. She put me on Prilosec twice daily and strict diet and not to eat 2 hours before laying down.

But as of now going on my 4th week i still have pain on the one side out of breathe and back discomfort, so im thinking it still has not slipped back down. So im hoping with the meds for the best. So now im just waiting again.

Do you have to pay for your revision they told me i just have to fly there and they would take care of me. SO i am thankful for that. Anyways thanks for your post made me feel better when i heard your symptoms that i didnt have a slipped band, as the first doctors told me.

Thanks again hope all goes well let me know.

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<o:p> If anyone has experience with slippage like this, please continue to share. All of this informaiton in this thread has been really helpful. I noted the smoking, coffee, chocolate, mint and articicial sweetners as triggers. This week I am going to cut out these items (coffee has already been reduced to 2x's per week from daily.)</o:p>

Hi,

I havent posted in a really long time. I've had my band for 5 years. I've been a pretty good band patient in that I eat well (avoid junk food) and I've lost a majority of my weight (the last 25lbs have stuck with me). I have only pb'd once and that was about 4 months after my surgery. About 2 years into my banding I had a problem with reflux. I had all my fill removed and and upper gi and endoscopy done. Everything was ok so the doctor changed my gerd medication and I returned to normal. At that time they refilled my band to 2.2cc (the most I ever had was 2.5) and although I didn't have much restriction the doctor refused to increase my fill due to risk of return of the reflux. Since then (that was 3 years ago) I lost another 15 lbs and was doing fine until November (about 4 months ago). I noticed that I completely lost restriction at all but only sometimes. Other times my band was tight as could be and a few bites would get me to stop eating. I thought this was just my band being tempermental :-) Then in December I got some severe left shoulder pain and pain just under my left rib cage when I ate. I switched to liquids and a few days later it went away. I was fine for about a month, then the same thing happend in January. This time I called my gastroenterologist and he ordered a gallbladder ultrasound, and an endoscopy. The gallbladder came back fine, the endoscopy showed mild gastritis but the doctor said something very strange to me after the endoscopy. He said "Are you sure you have a band? Because I see no evidence of it at all". I immediately called my fill doctor here (I'm a mexican bandster) and he said get an upper gi. I had it done yesterday and the report states " there is no evidence of an upper pouch. It appears that the lapband has slipped and is located at the gastroesophageal junction". So, I'll be seeing my US fill doctor on Wed. The weirdest thing is that I have NEVER vomitted. And, I can count on 1 hand how many times I have "slimmed". I still don't have any difficulty eating...I do get that soft stop feeling once in a while. I'm hoping I don't have to get my band removed. After 5 years, we're best buddies!