Band Slip - Revision Scheduled

scmom · 06-04-2008, 05:22 PM

Hi - it has been a while since I have been to this site - I have encountered a serious problem. My band slipped - the brief of this is - I was banded January 2007 - lost 100 lbs by January 2008. March 2008 - I ate something that got stuck and was sick for a few days. Then could not keep liquids down. Went to the doc - he loosened the band and was on liquid diet for a couple of weeks. The upper GI revealed has a slight slip. Everything was going well - was tightened back up. This past Thursday had a very bad stomach virus - and afterward could not keep anything down. Just thought was the after effects of the virus - by Monday I knew it was my band. Called the doc again and this time the Upper GI showed nothing was going through. My doc loosened me up and scheduled a revision for Friday. I was wondering if anyone out there has had a revision and what advice can you give me! Thanks for listening!

socalgal3 · 06-04-2008, 06:26 PM

I had a revision. I don't have any great advice for you except to follow the directions of your doctor and keep in touch with him/her. Best of health to you! If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!

Chrissi · 06-15-2008, 06:56 PM

It sounds like you've been thru the wringer! I just had my band slip repaired/repositioned. I feel so much better. No reflux, no vomitting, no dietary restriction as per the docs. instructions. Only soreness after the band slip surgery. Was driving my day 3. I will say, this was the easiest surgery for me. I don't know if I got lucky or what, but I was able to walk, use the bathroom by myself, etc. right after surgery. It's like a night and day comparision between this slip repair and the original surgery.

You'll get thru this. Don't let them take your band. Slips can be repaired. I know it's stressful to go thru this, but I swear to you, the surgery I had to fix it was comparable to doing about 50 sit-ups. Good luck!!

tyman311 · 06-16-2008, 11:10 AM

What were the symptoms of the band slippage? I am concerned. I am sore in my stomach and liquids made me sore yesterday. I was not able to keep any food down? Just a bad day, or should I be concerned?

socalgal3 · 06-16-2008, 11:45 AM

Have you had heartburn and pain? Has the amount of food you can tolerate changed? Have you PB'd alot? Sometimes we have a tight band day due to stress, allergies, TOM, weather, etc. Sometimes we overeat or PB and irritate the band. If the symptoms continue-see your doc. Try liquids only for a few days. If symptoms persist, it is probably more than an irritated stoma, a tight day, etc. I hope you are feeling better soon!

tyman311 · 06-16-2008, 11:50 AM

Thanks, I have not had any heartburn or other symptoms. I have had several sticking incidents. I just talked to DR.'s office and they said do liquids until they can see me and she will call me on Wednesday.

I am having sinus problems and did not know that this could cause irritation as well. She said that may be part of the problem.

Chrissi · 06-16-2008, 06:09 PM

I had pain with water daily. It was worse with water than food. I always had some reflux, some days were slightly more tolerable than others. My pain was in the stomach area. I could hear water gurgling. I kept on getting unfills, and that helped with the reflux a little. I got unfilled in January because I just couldn't tolerate any meat at all. For about two weeks after my unfill I was better, than the vomiting began. I vomited everything, daily. That went on for weeks off and on.

I actually had to convince my surgeon who was well paid for this surgery, to operate on me. He didn't think it was a slipped band. Well, maybe he will listen if this ever happens again. I know my body pretty well, and what I experienced on a every other day basis, was not normal. And it wasn't behavioral. Good luck to ya. I doubt you have a slipped band unless it continues for weeks.

HUSKERJILL · 06-24-2008, 05:18 PM

I found out yesterday that I have a chronic slipped band. My doctor gave me a slight fill and hoping not to do a revision. Today I just don't feel great, slight pain in rib cage and almost wish he would do the revision. So for those of you who have had a revision - are you happy?, what was the cost? (because I am self pay). I just want to feel good again, like after I was banded. Any suggestions. Thanks Husker Jill

Chrissi · 06-24-2008, 05:58 PM

I had the revision to fix my slipped band and had very slight discomfort afterward, nothing compared to the first time my band was placed. I feel 1000% better with this band now. No pain whatsoever. I sometimes have gas, but nothing major. I also have no restriction either. I get my first fill in July and it's like bandster hell all over again. But this time, I'm not sore like I was after the first surgery for 8 weeks.

I'm a self-pay and the hospital said my hospital fee would be $8,900, the anesthesiologist $1500, the surgeon, $2,000. So, almost 13k for "repositioning my band" and removing the adhesions THAT WERE there ONLY BECAUSE my band slipped. I thought I "healed" that way, no, that wasn't the case, the scar tissue happened because my band slipped. AGRRR.

ON another note, if you have health insurance you might be able to get it coded as something else other than Lap Band respositioning, but to be quite honest, good luck. It sucks being a self- pay.

HUSKERJILL · 06-25-2008, 09:42 AM

Thanks Chrissi for the reply. I was hoping it wouldn't be quite so expensive, but I wouldn't want to live without my band. I was two weeks unfilled and I could see my self slipping back into my old ways. Thanks again - Husker Jill