Slipped Lap Band

I am 3 1/2 yrs post op from Lap Band Surgery. Did very well while it "worked". My surgeon doesnt perform 'respositioning' of bands. I am getting a second opinion from a different surgeon. Has anyone been through a repositioning or a slipped Lap Band? I would so appreciate your help and comments with this. Thanks!

Normally with just a slip, your band is un-filled completely and rechecked in 4-6 weeks to see if it has gone back.  Jean M had a band slip and this worked for her.  Perhaps you can reach out to her.  Good luck...hope yours resolves without surgery.

I have no experience with a slipped band, but from everything I've read the first protocol is to completely empty your band to see if it moves back into the proper position over time.  At the very least it seems your surgeon should have done that.  Odd that your surgeon isn't offering options.  Does he want to replace the band rather than re-position it?

I'm sure others with direct experience will respond, but in the meantime, I wish you all the best!

Lisa O.

Thanks for your insight and kind words. He prefers not to empty my band b.c he said I did so well ...in the top 10% of his patients in weight loss of 80 lbs. But, he doesnt reposition bands....he refuses. He says it is just a "tool" and I can do it on my own! So, now I am gaining weight. My internist feels I should get a second opinion and I hope to get a reposition. The second opinion doc does perfrom revisions.

I would get a second opinion if I could avoid a surgery by all means do that. Why put yourself thorugh maybe a unnecessary surgery when you can take a unfill for 4-6 weeks and be done with it .

Just follow your band rules for them four weeks and you should be fine . Act like you have fluid in your band , if you get into the thought process well I dont have no fluid in my band I can eat whatever I want then you will gain weight think the opposite .
 
Sounds like his stats are more important then his patient that would **** me off right there if my doc told me that

  He says it is just a "tool" and I can do it on my own!

The band isn't the ONLY tool in this discussion. You're well advised to get a second opinion.

 This whole thread does not make sense......you say your band has slipped? But yet your surgeon refused to unfill your band??? This is MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, you should RUN from this surgeon and find a surgeon that will help you. First you need to find a surgeon and BEFORE you get the band unfilled have them check the severity of the slip, BAND SLIPS ARE ONLY DIAGNOSED WITH THE BAND FILLED NOT EMPTY,if in fact your band has slipped at that point the first step is to totally unfill the band to see if it will go back into place.

If your pouch shrinks back down after 6 weeks, then you may not need surgery, but if you band has in fact slipped you will need your band repositioned or removed. I would definitely seek anther surgeon and if you can you need to find a surgeon that ONLY DOES LAP BANDS if you can, I would try to keep and safe the band if possible. Good luck.

Why would you chose a doc that would refuse to empty a band if there is a problem or do a surgery to repostion it ?


so basically he just puts the band in you give you fills and if you have a problem you are basically  on your own ?  That sounds horriable !!!

If that is the case I would be finding another doc pronto !!!!

Correct me if I'm wrong everyone....but wouldn't they need to unfill the band to reposition the band any way???  So surgery or no surgery I think your outcome will be a band with no fill.  Weird that the doctor doesn't know this.

I had a band slip that was cured by a complete unfill. Another OH member, Mellie, had to have surgery to reposition her band.

I don't understand how a responsible surgeon can refuse to unfill or to reposition a slipped band. Does he not know that a slipped band left in that position can cause serious health problems for the patient, quite apart from their weight issues? I agree with your internist: you need a 2nd opinion.

Good luck!
Jean