slipped band

[trulytangledgrl]

I found out last week that my band has slipped. It is around my distal esophagus (have no idea what that is, but it doesn't sound good) instead of being around the top of my stomach. I am so nervous and anxious because I don't know what to do from here. I can't afford to go back to Mexico to see Dr. Ortiz to get it fixed/taken out. I don't have the money or the time off of work. I am just wondering if anyone else has had this experience or similar experiences and if so what did you do? Has anyone heard of insurance paying for cost of surgery to repair a band even if the original band was paid for out of pocket? Also, has anyone had surgery to repair or remove a band from a surgeon within the US (if you had your band outside of the US)? I am just so nervous that I am not going to be able to get this taken care of for financial reasons. I don't know what to do - - I am freaking out. I can't stop crying (and EATING, to boot!) and I am just not sure what to do from here. Help! Anyone with similar stories to share/advice to share?

[Sherri]

I found out last week that my band has slipped. It is around my distal esophagus (have no idea what that is, but it doesn't sound good) instead of being around the top of my stomach. I am so nervous and anxious because I don't know what to do from here. I can't afford to go back to Mexico to see Dr. Ortiz to get it fixed/taken out. I don't have the money or the time off of work. I am just wondering if anyone else has had this experience or similar experiences and if so what did you do? Has anyone heard of insurance paying for cost of surgery to repair a band even if the original band was paid for out of pocket? Also, has anyone had surgery to repair or remove a band from a surgeon within the US (if you had your band outside of the US)? I am just so nervous that I am not going to be able to get this taken care of for financial reasons. I don't know what to do - - I am freaking out. I can't stop crying (and EATING, to boot!) and I am just not sure what to do from here. Help! Anyone with similar stories to share/advice to share?

Carrie,

My name is Sherri. I am a nurse and have a few ideas you might want to try.

Are you having trouble keeping foods and fluids down? If you are you could go to the ER on an emergency basis. They will not turn you away like some private doctors will when they see you have had surgery out of the country. They will have a surgeon who is on call who knows how to deal with this since there are people who have had surgery in the USA that have slipped bands too. It is not because you had your Lab Band done in Mexico. Although I bet you might hear that from the US doctors who treat you.

Maybe the ER can find a way to get Pre Authorization because it would be emergency..

You can also go online and look up your healthcare benefits to see what all will be covered. Our insurance has a 1800 number on the back of the card you can call where they will answer any questions for you. You need to be proactive about this.. You can't live with a band around your esophagus forever.

I would also call the OCC. I was reading where Dr Ortiz was doing some kind of work with slipped bands.

Best Wishes,

Hang in there... Let us know what you find out

[magkai1]

I concur (and I'm a nurse, too) that you should call the OCC and just see what they think. They truly want to help and might have some ideas you haven't thought of.

[AngieB]

I know some Dr.s in the US are doing more band revision surgerys' with the band slips instead of removal as the first option. I can send you a video on this if you would like.

Also, band removal is MUCH cheaper than placement. I was happy to know that fact. I would definatly check on what your insurance would cover on an emergancy basis. You are fortunate you can eat and drink. Some can not after a band slip and have no choice but to have surgery as it is life and death.....

Sorry for you and your band.......((HUGS))

Angie

[Zoey2]

Not exactly the same, but I did have my surgery out of the U.S. and have had problems after the fact that insurance did pay for. I had to have my port removed and then had it put back in after I paid out-of-pocket for the band. My insurance did pay for it. But if all else fails, if it is an emergency they have to treat you regardless. I had issues with that and the biggest problem is finding a doctor that will properly diagnose the problem. They just don't want to deal with us people that have chosen to have surgery in another country. I did have one doctor lie to me! Very frustrating. Just be very persistent with your issues and don't take no for an answer if it becomes a big problem.

Good luck!

[Lindsay]

aww!

you poor thing. you must be a nervous wreck.

keep us posted <<hugs>>

[trulytangledgrl]

I have an appointment with my Dr. at NYU next friday. I will keep you all updated on what she says. Thank you all for your advice and support - - it is much appreciated.

[Kristi]

Carrie,

Sending hugs to you. I am sorry to hear that you are having this problem. We definitely want to know how it all goes.

Keep us updated.

Hugs,

Kristi

[AshleyMarie]

Praying for you, girl!

[CottonwoodAZ]

I had a friend whose band sliped and the dr did a total unfil for 6 weeks and it fixed itself. Not that that is the answer but it is good you are still getting food down. Let us know what dr says

[skinnyagain]

I don't want to be a party pooper but..I am a nurse too and a ER nurse...Unless she is having an emergency..IE can't eat, labs off, stomach is about to perforate etc...most ER;s won't wisk you away to the OR...Yes you will get a referral or even a consult in the ER...It all depends on what that band looks like...They would probable do a CT scan, then determine the severity...I would definatly call your insurance company and ask if they would cover a band adjustment...or removal...That is such a bummer!!!--Good luck on your appt. keep us posted on your adventure.

Best of luck

Kim

[Kimmy in MD]

Carrie,

Really sorry to hear what is happening. You must be going CRAZY! I know I would be!! I feel your pain.

Since February I have been hospitalized twice for about 10 days total. When I am in there I am totally defensive of my band and won't let them near it. To make a long story short they still don't know what is wrong with me and I am seeing more specialists. I contacted Dr. So at OCC about what is going on. He had me fax/email him all my reports and test results. He reviewed them fully and did a phone consult with me. He was able to tell me that he did not believe any of the current issues I am having are symptomatic of the band (YEAH!) but he did say that he recommends a complete unfill of my band so that my body is not under any addtiional stress while they figure out the rest of what is going on.

I was able to scan all my reports and tests and send off to OCC. You can even get the doc/hospital you see to put your barium swallow etc.. on a disk and send that to OCC so they can take a look and give you some advice on how to proceed. You don't necessarily have to make the trip down there is all I am saying.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

Kim

[MyNewLife]

Carrie,

I am so sorry to hear you are having problems! Was there some sort of an issue or problem you where having to find this out? Please keep us posted!

In my thoughts!

Carrie

[PAMMIE]

CARRIE, I'M SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BAND PROBLEM, UGH!!! MY FRIEND THAT WAS BANDED THE SAME DAY I WAS, HER BAND SLIPPED AND SHE WAITED UNTIL IT WAS AN EMERGENCY TO GET IT REMEMBERED LOCALLY, HER INSURANCE HAD A BAND EXCLUSION AND ON THAT NOTE, MOST OF THE ER, SURGERY, ETC HAD TO COME OUT OF POCKET. I CAN TELL YOU, AFTER SANDY HAVING HER PROBLEMS AND SEEING THE MEDICAL BILLS, YOU CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO GO BACK TO SEE DR ORTIZ IF YOUR DR SAYS IT NEEDS TO COME OUT AND YOUR INSURANCE WON'T COVER IT.

PLEASE PLEASE KEEP US POSTED. I'M PRAYING THAT AN UNFILL WILL HELP REPAIR

[trulytangledgrl]

Hey everyone! I had my appointment today with the surgeon! She looked at my films from the barium swallow and said that everything looks perfect! Just wanted to update all of you and say thanks again for the support and replies to my message. I am so thrilled that things are alright.

[RevyD]

Great news. You must be so relieved!

[AngieB]

That is freaking awesome! Yahoo! Baby that band!

[PAMMIE]

WOO HOO!!! AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!! SLOW AND EASY NOW GIRL

[trulytangledgrl]

I am so excited to know that everything is okay with my band! The surgeon also gave me 1cc of fluid so I will have some restriction. I only had .35 cc in and the surgeon said she was very impressed that I was able to maintain my weight and not gain anything since my last visit there in Feb. When I went to see her in Feb., she put me up to 2.5 cc of fluid and it was too much for me to handle - - I had to go to the ER to get some liquid removed because I couldn't keep anything down. So I was basically empty for 3 months and managed to not gain a single pound. Sometimes I get really down on myself that I wasn't able to lose anything, but when I think about it, not gaining is pretty impressive considering I had no restriction.

[Verona1950]

When I saw your post, I just had to reply. I too just found out last week that my band has slipped. The doctor has told me he will not go in anf fix the band bdue to scar tissue that has formed, instead has suggested gastric sleeve surgery. I would like to know if anyone else who has a slipped band been told that the band can't be adjusted. This is so disheartening. I keep thinking I've done something to make the band slip. I repeatedly asked the doctors about the risk of the band slipping and was told there was was no way the band would slip, as they had stitched the band in place. Now 2 years later I've told the band has slipped and I'm only half-way through losing my weight.

[trulytangledgrl]

When I saw your post, I just had to reply. I too just found out last week that my band has slipped. The doctor has told me he will not go in anf fix the band bdue to scar tissue that has formed, instead has suggested gastric sleeve surgery. I would like to know if anyone else who has a slipped band been told that the band can't be adjusted. This is so disheartening. I keep thinking I've done something to make the band slip. I repeatedly asked the doctors about the risk of the band slipping and was told there was was no way the band would slip, as they had stitched the band in place. Now 2 years later I've told the band has slipped and I'm only half-way through losing my weight.

I am so sorry to hear about your band! I have not heard anything about gastric sleeve surgery - - did the doctor explain to you what exactly that is? How does it work? Do you think you are going to go through with the surgery? Is the band slippage causing you to vomit a lot or is it not really effecting you?

[Verona1950]

I am so sorry to hear about your band! I have not heard anything about gastric sleeve surgery - - did the doctor explain to you what exactly that is? How does it work? Do you think you are going to go through with the surgery? Is the band slippage causing you to vomit a lot or is it not really effecting you?

Gastric sleeve surgery is the procedure of the removal of a little more that half of the stomach so that it takes the shape of a tube or sleeve. It is performed through laparoscopy and requires stapling and resecting, though it does not require any rerouting. I am very afraid of this surgery. I knw something was wrong as I was vomitting all the time, but now that I have been defilled, I'm not vomitting, however, I'm not feeling any restriction when eating and so am afraid that my weight will come back on. The doctor performed a gastroscopy on me and that's how he discovered my band had slipped. Right now I'm in a "wait & see" mode. The doc wants to see how I do without the fill. I had 5.5 cc and he took out 4.5 cc.