Unlocked lapband 3 months post-op

Hi everyone,

I am sorry to be checking in with such bad news. I just came home from the doctor and it turns out the locking mechanism on the band has come unlocked. 

This all started about 3 fills ago when I was feeling little to no restriction. Needless to say, I have been steadily gaining weight since my surgery. Still not at my pre-op weight, but damn close. At that point I had 4ccs in a 10cc band and the doctor kept reassuring me that this was a "big one" and should do the trick. I went for another fill this past Tuesday (March 22) and the PA gave me another 1cc fill, bringing me to 5ccs. She gave me a glass of water, which I drank no problem in the office, and she was baffled as to why I wasn't feeling anything at all. I told her that I never have felt any restriction before, so I wasn't as surprised as she was that I was able to get down a bottle of water. She gave me a protein bar in the office and that too went down no problem. After seeing that she scheduled me for a barium x-ray which I went for yesterday.

I dropped the CD of the films off at the office, and while I was there, the surgeon gave me another 1cc fill, for a total of 6ccs. Still felt nothing. He said he was going to take a look at the films and call me today.

He called me about 4pm and told me he thought the band was unlocked based on the xray, but he wasn't totally sure. So I went into the office and asked the PA to give me a BIG fill, and if I still felt nothing, I would be convinced. She gave me a full 10cc fill in my 10cc band, which she said would cause me to not even be able to swallow. Sure enough, I was able to take quite a few sips of my water bottle. SO, she took all of the saline out of the band, and I am waiting to hear from the doctor as to how to proceed.


Needless to say, I am devastated. My surgery was just this past December, and already I have had a complication. The doctor said this has only happened 1 or 2 times in all the surgeries he has done. He said fixing it is no real trouble, but still, it's another surgery, going through another round of anastesia and recovery, etc. etc. 

I am requesting a new band altogether, but only if he can leave the port intact. The PA said he should be able to do this, but she wasn't 100% sure. The worst part about the last surgery was the incision pain, and if I can avoid that, it won't be sooo terrible.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? The PA said this isn't anything I caused, just a faulty band. 

Some support is needed over here :(
Alyssa

I have never heard of the band becoming undone/unlocked!  All I can say is WOW!  So sorry!  Don't get discouraged.  Easier said than done I know as I too am on a rollercoaster here with other band issues. 

Hang in there and be persistent with your surgeon to get things resolved ASAP! 

 

 Thanks, Nikki. It's REALLY hard to not become discouraged, but like my doctor said - what are you going to do, leave it in there useless? I committed to doing this, and I'm going to see it through. I just need a little help from my band! 

Dang Alyssa, that stinks.  I am curious if they replace the band, ( not the port ) if they are able to put it back in the tunnel where the current one is, or do they have to redo the part where they take the stomach tissue from below and suture it over the band?  Whatever the procedure is called...

I'm sure the surgeon will figure out if it needs to be replaced or just relocked.

Please keep us updated!
Kristi

I have never heard of that particular complication, however I do read on here EVERY DAY about ppl posting a new complication! Very discouraging!!! There have been a lot that were just a few mos. out with a complication already. Some ppl end up having to have several surgeries! :-(

Good luck!

 Some ppl end up having to have several surgeries! :-(

 (gently) Maria, dear, save that for another day. I think it's the last thing she needs to hear today. 

So sorry to hear that you are going through this!  I'm sure your surgeon will be able to correct things.  Try not to worry about it and especially don't borrow trouble by worrying about what may or may not happen in the future.  I'm sure that once your band gets straightened out you will be very happy with it.  I know I am.

Wendy

 Alyssa:

I am just about the run out the door, but you know you have a great doc and that he'll take great care of you. I WOULD, however, ask who will be responsible for any charges for the procedure. It really shouldn't be YOU.

 Absolutely. Already did, and Becky said she didn't know. She said she would get back to me though... If it's covered by insurance it really doesn't matter, but I am not paying out of pocket. NO WAY. 

Amt,

Im so sorry to hear about this and glad you are looking into who is going to pay for it I wouldnt pay for it either.

I would for sure ask your doc about it.  Mine in his rules if anything happens to the band, the port or anything that has to do with the lapband the first 12 months after surgery he will replace everything and do the surgery at no cost .  It covers the surgery, the hospital everything so make sure you do check into that :o)

Good Luck and I hope things get better for you really soon !!!