My band has slipped

[thesuse]

Hi all,

It's been ages since I've posted on this forum - although I pop in every once in a while to see how everyone is doing.

Greetings to all! I hope you're all doing better than I am right now.

I just found out on Friday that my band has slipped. As you can all imagine I've been terribly upset about it all - but also very confused.

I've never been horribly tight - after my second fill I was too tight - it hurt to eat solid food, even just one bite hurt going down, but I just stuck to liquids until I got an unfill and did not PB more than once or twice. All together I've only PBd about 5 times since being banded. I thought that was the main reason for slips, so I have no idea why this happened to me.

I started getting heartburn in March and by April I started waking up choking on stomach contents coming up in my sleep. It was never food, either saliva or stomach acid. I went in for a small unfill and the choking thing stopped - although I was definitely a bit looser than I would have liked.

After a month the night reflux started again. I called my doc's office and they scheduled me for an esophogram (x-ray with barium swallow). In the last week I also started feeling tighter than I had in a while. I was worried I had a slip, but actually thought that I was being paranoid to think that was what it was. Well that was what it was.

My doc gave me a total unfill and scheduled me for an appt in 2 weeks to try giving me a fill again. But she seemed to think that most likely this won't work and I'll slip again and need revision surgery. She seems to think that my insurance will cover the revision even though I didn't qualify for my initial band (thus doing it in Mexico). She didn't tell me to do liquids or anything.

Since the unfill the night choking has totally stopped. Strangely, I don't feel that different fill-wise, I feel some restriction still - I guess maybe because my stomach is filling more of my band than it should. I only had 1.6cc when she emptied my band - The most I ever had was 2cc in a 4cc band.

If anyone else has had a similar experience I'd love to hear how things worked out for you:

- anyone have a slip that corrected itself?

- anyone get revision surgery that was covered by insurance?

- any opinions as to whether I should do liquids for a while to help the slip correct itself?

- my inclination is to wait longer than 2 weeks before trying a fill again so it's more likely that the band/stomach are in a better position. I don't want to do liquids of course, but I might in hopes that it will help

- anyone have an experience like this and were able to maintain their weight loss with an unfilled band?

I appreciate any and all feedback. I really can't afford more surgery, and I'm also somewhat reluctant to invest more money/risk into the band since I've run into a complication that I thought only happened to those who pushed the limits; I have no sense that I can prevent it from happening again, since my behavior didn't cause it.

Thanks so much all. I hope everyone is having better luck than me!

-Susan

[tootsie_lou]

Hi Susan!

First of all, sorry sorry sorry for all the issues with your band. Looking at your ticker, you have had great weight loss in spite all of the shenanigans (sp?) your band has been pulling.

Does your doctor think getting a fill will cause the slipping? I have read on this forum that Dr Ortiz and Dr Martinez really "sew" the band in there so the chance of slipping is minimal. I am so sorry this is happening to you. Coincidentally, I had an episode the other night where apparently I chugged down a glass of Crystal Light too fast, went to bed, and woke up choking like I was drowning. (Note to self: Don't chug liquids, especially before bedtime!)

Hopefully someone from this forum will have some good advice for you. There are a couple of other forums out there that may also have some info for you to help you get thru this. We're all with you.

[thesuse]

Hi Susan!

First of all, sorry sorry sorry for all the issues with your band. Looking at your ticker, you have had great weight loss in spite all of the shenanigans (sp?) your band has been pulling.

Does your doctor think getting a fill will cause the slipping? I have read on this forum that Dr Ortiz and Dr Martinez really "sew" the band in there so the chance of slipping is minimal. I am so sorry this is happening to you. Coincidentally, I had an episode the other night where apparently I chugged down a glass of Crystal Light too fast, went to bed, and woke up choking like I was drowning. (Note to self: Don't chug liquids, especially before bedtime!)

Hopefully someone from this forum will have some good advice for you. There are a couple of other forums out there that may also have some info for you to help you get thru this. We're all with you.

Hi Diana - thanks so much for the support! Yes, drinking right before bed can cause problems even without a slip or anything. Once I started experiencing this I made sure to stop eating about 3 hours before bed and stop drinking 1-2 hours prior. It helped a little, but not enough. My doc explained to me that essentially I have a little overhang on my pouch where liquid gets trapped, and then it comes up when I lay down. Lovely...

Yeah, my doc is afraid I'll start regaining if I stay unfilled for too long, so she wants to try adding more fluid fairly soon. But at the same time, she isn't that optimistic that I won't slip again if she fills again. I guess just based on her experience, once a band slips it most likely will slip again.

I'm not sure if I'm in fantasy-land, but I'm hoping that perhaps having an unfilled band will be enough to help me maintain, or even lose a bit more. As long as it's not affecting my health and I'm not gaining I'd rather avoid another surgery.

Anyway - thanks again for the support! I'm really trying to keep a positive attitude and believe that all will work out one way or another. So good wishes are very helpful!

[Christy26]

I drink water everynight before bed (i take it with me to bed and drink it right before I lay down). Is this going to cause my band to slip? My fill doc says my band looks perfect and she personally knows Dr. Ortiz and said he does great with securing the bands... I don't have any issues drinking before bed and never have it come back up, etc

should i stop doing this? Its been a habit for the last 10 years and I dont sleep well (weird I know) if I dont have water before bed

[thesuse]

I drink water everynight before bed (i take it with me to bed and drink it right before I lay down). Is this going to cause my band to slip? My fill doc says my band looks perfect and she personally knows Dr. Ortiz and said he does great with securing the bands... I don't have any issues drinking before bed and never have it come back up, etc

should i stop doing this? Its been a habit for the last 10 years and I dont sleep well (weird I know) if I dont have water before bed

I've never heard that drinking before bed can cause a slip - Diana just mentioned it because it can cause the same symptoms as a slipped band - having liquid come up while you're sleeping - or just after laying down. As long as it's not causing you any problems I don't think it'll hurt your band - of course I'm not a doctor! But I don't think so.

[shiney42]

If Doc O put it in I'd go back to him - and let him check it out before I done anything

[ksk]

Ditto with Shiney - I'd call OCC 1st to see what, if anything they can do for you... Good luck - I feel terrible that you are going through this...

[IrishRN]

Hi all,

It's been ages since I've posted on this forum - although I pop in every once in a while to see how everyone is doing.

Greetings to all! I hope you're all doing better than I am right now.

I just found out on Friday that my band has slipped. As you can all imagine I've been terribly upset about it all - but also very confused.

I've never been horribly tight - after my second fill I was too tight - it hurt to eat solid food, even just one bite hurt going down, but I just stuck to liquids until I got an unfill and did not PB more than once or twice. All together I've only PBd about 5 times since being banded. I thought that was the main reason for slips, so I have no idea why this happened to me.

I started getting heartburn in March and by April I started waking up choking on stomach contents coming up in my sleep. It was never food, either saliva or stomach acid. I went in for a small unfill and the choking thing stopped - although I was definitely a bit looser than I would have liked.

After a month the night reflux started again. I called my doc's office and they scheduled me for an esophogram (x-ray with barium swallow). In the last week I also started feeling tighter than I had in a while. I was worried I had a slip, but actually thought that I was being paranoid to think that was what it was. Well that was what it was.

My doc gave me a total unfill and scheduled me for an appt in 2 weeks to try giving me a fill again. But she seemed to think that most likely this won't work and I'll slip again and need revision surgery. She seems to think that my insurance will cover the revision even though I didn't qualify for my initial band (thus doing it in Mexico). She didn't tell me to do liquids or anything.

Since the unfill the night choking has totally stopped. Strangely, I don't feel that different fill-wise, I feel some restriction still - I guess maybe because my stomach is filling more of my band than it should. I only had 1.6cc when she emptied my band - The most I ever had was 2cc in a 4cc band.

If anyone else has had a similar experience I'd love to hear how things worked out for you:

- anyone have a slip that corrected itself?

- anyone get revision surgery that was covered by insurance?

- any opinions as to whether I should do liquids for a while to help the slip correct itself?

- my inclination is to wait longer than 2 weeks before trying a fill again so it's more likely that the band/stomach are in a better position. I don't want to do liquids of course, but I might in hopes that it will help

- anyone have an experience like this and were able to maintain their weight loss with an unfilled band?

I appreciate any and all feedback. I really can't afford more surgery, and I'm also somewhat reluctant to invest more money/risk into the band since I've run into a complication that I thought only happened to those who pushed the limits; I have no sense that I can prevent it from happening again, since my behavior didn't cause it.

Thanks so much all. I hope everyone is having better luck than me!

-Susan

So sorry to hear about this. I agree, seeing Dr Oritiz would be a good idea or at least call. More than likely they will ask you to come in. I did find great info on the OCC site regarding complications with the band.

http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/surgery_postop_comp.php

If this link is not already stickied.. maybe it should be. Its a great resource from Dr Ortiz himself.

[thesuse]

So sorry to hear about this. I agree, seeing Dr Oritiz would be a good idea or at least call. More than likely they will ask you to come in. I did find great info on the OCC site regarding complications with the band.

http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/surgery_postop_comp.php

If this link is not already stickied.. maybe it should be. Its a great resource from Dr Ortiz himself.

Thanks all for the advice and support!

I'm waiting for 9am Pacific time to call the OCC. (Actually I have a meeting from 12-2pm Eastern time, so I'll call right afterwards - aargh).

[thesuse]

Hi all - hopefully some good news. I just spoke to Dr. So and he thinks it's premature to call this a slip, since I can still eat and drink just fine.

He told me to go on liquids for 7-10 days and take Maalox or Mylanta for a week to heal the inflammation. My doc also prescribed Prilosec, but he still wanted me to take these as well.

He seems to think it will go back to normal!

He disagrees with my doc about trying a fill so soon (she wanted to do it in 2 weeks). He wants me to wait at least 4-5 weeks. I'll try to go back to the OCC in July while I'm in California anyway. Hopefully that will work out.

I'm still a bit scared about whether it will fix itself, but I feel MUCH better now - and it's good to get further guidance on how to give it the best chance at healing.

I'll let everyone know when I have an update - hopefully good news!

It is so great to be able to call the OCC and speak to a helpful doc whenever you have a problem.

Thanks again to all for the support!

Susan

[tootsie_lou]

So glad Dr So could put your mind at ease a little bit. Could you just eat him up!?! He gave me and my daughter (15 now, 13 at 1st fill) our first fills, and she had a devil of a time with the needle issue. We are talking serious terror here. He tried everything, and numerous times he would have her port area cleaned and ready to go, and she would literally put her hands over her port to keep him from doing it. Finally, he gave her one of the little yellow pills that we had put under our tongues prior to surgery, and we went to the waiting room to wait for it to take effect. Within a half an hour she had 1cc in her band. (Incidentally, when he went out the door to get her pill, I asked him to consider bringing three, one for all of us-haha.) He could not have been sweeter during the whole thing--never lost his cool or his sense of humor. Many doctors would have scolded her (as I was trying to keep from doing), but he remained just as sweet and friendly as he could be. I'm so glad he was there for you. Great advice regarding calling OCC both given and taken on this one. Good girl!

[AngieB]

Hi all - hopefully some good news. I just spoke to Dr. So and he thinks it's premature to call this a slip, since I can still eat and drink just fine.

He told me to go on liquids for 7-10 days and take Maalox or Mylanta for a week to heal the inflammation. My doc also prescribed Prilosec, but he still wanted me to take these as well.

He seems to think it will go back to normal!

He disagrees with my doc about trying a fill so soon (she wanted to do it in 2 weeks). He wants me to wait at least 4-5 weeks. I'll try to go back to the OCC in July while I'm in California anyway. Hopefully that will work out.

I'm still a bit scared about whether it will fix itself, but I feel MUCH better now - and it's good to get further guidance on how to give it the best chance at healing.

I'll let everyone know when I have an update - hopefully good news!

It is so great to be able to call the OCC and speak to a helpful doc whenever you have a problem.

Thanks again to all for the support!

Susan

I am so glad you talked to Dr. So. I bet having the chat set your mind at ease more. I am so glad to hear you won't be getting a fill to soon. Why even chance it!?

[jhawkchick75]

So glad to hear it might not be as serious as you thought. Please keep us in the loop on what you find out!

[Smiley]

Coincidentally, I had an episode the other night where apparently I chugged down a glass of Crystal Light too fast, went to bed, and woke up choking like I was drowning. (Note to self: Don't chug liquids, especially before bedtime!)

Please be careful chugging liquids period. My fill doctor warned me that even though liquids go thru pretty well, the tighter you get the slower liquids drain and by chugging them there is the potential to stretch the pouch. I guess it is kind of like a water balloon - put enough harmless water in the balloon and it will expand. He had had two people the previous week with a stretched pouch because they had been chugging liquid.

[nothereanymore]

Hey Susan,

I'm so glad you called the OCC – and sorry you’re going through this. You’re doing great – and I bet after the liquid diet he’s got you on, you’re going to be rocken!

Take care and know its all going to work out!

Lisa

[thesuse]

I sure am feeling a bit better tonight - physically and psychologically.

The Maalox actually feels good going down, which makes me think I must really need it.

I just cooked up a vat of pureed chicken, bean and leek soup and stocked up on a bunch of canned soup and protein shake mix as well. I'm ready for the liquids!

Diana - that's a great story about Dr. So. I remember him from my surgery - he came and talked to my sister and I before our surgeries (we got banded the same day together) and was such a sweetheart - and yes, completely adorable as well.

I hope your daughter is doing well too!

Thanks all so much for the suggestions, support, good wishes - and confidence! I will say that this experience is making me appreciate my band more than ever and inspiring me to make the most of it.

-Susan

[Christy26]

Im glad he gave you some good news!!

[robbynnoel]

(((((((((((((((((Susan)))))))))))))))))))

Hugs to you! I cn certainly understand how scarey this has been for you. I'm glad Dr. So put your mind at ease. Please keep us posted.

xo

[nicolek]

Hi all - hopefully some good news. I just spoke to Dr. So and he thinks it's premature to call this a slip, since I can still eat and drink just fine.

He told me to go on liquids for 7-10 days and take Maalox or Mylanta for a week to heal the inflammation. My doc also prescribed Prilosec, but he still wanted me to take these as well.

He seems to think it will go back to normal!

He disagrees with my doc about trying a fill so soon (she wanted to do it in 2 weeks). He wants me to wait at least 4-5 weeks. I'll try to go back to the OCC in July while I'm in California anyway. Hopefully that will work out.

I'm still a bit scared about whether it will fix itself, but I feel MUCH better now - and it's good to get further guidance on how to give it the best chance at healing.

I'll let everyone know when I have an update - hopefully good news!

It is so great to be able to call the OCC and speak to a helpful doc whenever you have a problem.

Thanks again to all for the support!

Susan

Hi Susan

Join the club. This has happened to me twice now.

Ist time (Jan 09)I had a complete unfill. I did the liquids+. maalox diet for 2 weeks and went back for a fill 6 weeks later. My pouch was completely fine.

Just got back on Saturday from another complete unfill as it had happened again. Even though I only had 1.4cc in my band. I've lost most of my weight so 1.4cc caused me to be too tight.

I'll go back in August for a little fill. Dr So said no more than 1.3cc.

I actually don't really want to lose anymore weight just maintain, Which I think will be the hardest.

Good Luck

[nicolek]

Hi all - hopefully some good news. I just spoke to Dr. So and he thinks it's premature to call this a slip, since I can still eat and drink just fine.

He told me to go on liquids for 7-10 days and take Maalox or Mylanta for a week to heal the inflammation. My doc also prescribed Prilosec, but he still wanted me to take these as well.

He seems to think it will go back to normal!

He disagrees with my doc about trying a fill so soon (she wanted to do it in 2 weeks). He wants me to wait at least 4-5 weeks. I'll try to go back to the OCC in July while I'm in California anyway. Hopefully that will work out.

I'm still a bit scared about whether it will fix itself, but I feel MUCH better now - and it's good to get further guidance on how to give it the best chance at healing.

I'll let everyone know when I have an update - hopefully good news!

It is so great to be able to call the OCC and speak to a helpful doc whenever you have a problem.

Thanks again to all for the support!

Susan

Hi Susan

Join the club. This has happened to me twice now.

Ist time (Jan 09)I had a complete unfill. I did the liquids+. maalox diet for 2 weeks and went back for a fill 6 weeks later. My pouch was completely fine.

Just got back on Saturday from another complete unfill as it had happened again. Even though I only had 1.4cc in my band. I've lost most of my weight so 1.4cc caused me to be too tight.

I'll go back in August for a little fill. Dr So said no more than 1.3cc.

I actually don't really want to lose anymore weight just maintain, Which I think will be the hardest.

Good Luck

[AngelaAnn]

Are you taking to max dose of maalox per day? I know my band is definitely looser than last month, but every time my period comes around, the week before I get heartburn and think I may have some irritation going on. I'm going to try the maalox/liquids to see if it helps for a week. How much maalox? I think it said up to eight teaspoons a day, but I just want to make sure. I took one teaspoon this morning and it really did feel nice going down and my heartburn went away within 15 minutes. Thank you and I hope you are feeling better!

[thesuse]

Thanks so much all for the support!!

Nicole - I'm so sorry you've gone through this as well - twice! I have to say though that it's really nice to hear about someone else who's had a similar experience, and has managed to avoid another surgery thus far. I've been thinking that if I end up just keeping a small fill that wouldn't be so bad. You've done SO well - I'm sure you'll be able to maintain, even if you can only manage a small fill.

I actually can still feel some restriction - even though I'm totally unfilled and on liquids. So that actually makes me nervous since it means there's still swelling, or stomach tissue filling my band or something. I'm hoping that I'll actually start feeling hungrier and like the liquids are passing through quicker, since that will mean things are getting better. We'll see! I'm trying to be patient.

AngelaAnn - I've just been taking two spoonfuls of Maalox three times a day. I actually don't have much heartburn anymore between the unfill and the prilosec and all - but I definitely thinks it is helpful in the healing process. Probably will be a good think to use in the future as well - I too tend to get tighter before my period. Glad it's helping you too!

Best wishes to all!

Susan

[CompletelyRevised]

Susan how are you doing haven't heard anything lately? I'm having the same exact issue. This started happening to me right after I got prego, so I thought it would go away after I had the baby. It hasn't, so I'm doing the liquid diet for a week along w/ Mylanta/Maylox.

[stormy]

I get this feeling sometimes. I think it may be heartburn. It is when my stomach is empty, I get a sense of not feeling well, my stomach feels kinda irratated. Is that what heartburn feels like? Should I be concerned? Maybe it is the coffee I drink in the morning causing it. But like tonight, I have not eaten since 12:00, it is now 7:15, I did have some peanut butter candies but I got busy at work and forgot to eat a snack and my stomach dont feel good. I just wonder if it is because I let my stomach get empty for a long period of time, should I be concerned? What kind of things should I munch on and what time of day should I do it? Do you think a 2:00 munchie may be something I should consider after having lunch? How did you know it was heartburn?

[thesuse]

Susan how are you doing haven't heard anything lately? I'm having the same exact issue. This started happening to me right after I got prego, so I thought it would go away after I had the baby. It hasn't, so I'm doing the liquid diet for a week along w/ Mylanta/Maylox.

Hi there - I'm so glad I popped by tonight and caught your message!

I'm doing okay-ish. I just got a fill last week for the first time since my total unfill in early June. I waited a little longer than planned because I went on vacation in mid-July and I didn't want problems to crop up while I was away. So I only have a .5cc fill right now. The first two nights after the fill I had the same issue with waking up choking, but that has stopped now, which is a huge relief.

Mostly because of my vacation I've gotten off track with my eating and have been eating too many sweets. I was up two pounds at my fill appt. I am weaning myself back off the sweets though and the fill, small as it is, is helping a bit, so I'm hoping I'll be back on track with losing soon.

I'm still concerned that problems will crop up again, and that I may need to have another surgery. But for now I'm going to hope for the best. My band is still helping me eat less and feel fuller sooner, so if I can stick to healthy foods - and fill up on fruits and veggies - maybe I'll be able to continue to lose even with a loose band.

Anyway - if you're having the same problem with waking up choking you should definitely speak to your doc - if you went to the OCC give them a call. They're great about taking time with patients on the phone to sort through issues. This can really be a dangerous issue, so you don't want to ignore it. You may just need a small unfill. Did you get unfilled while pregnant?

Good luck to you.

Susan