band complications

Is there anyone out there having band complications and what are they . Please give some insite into what kind of complications and different pain associated after you have a band placed. I would love to have detailed info. THANKS JULIE

I am 8 months post-op and have had three complications from the band thus far. The first was in August when there was a leak in the connection between the tubing and the port. I had to go in for minor surgery to correct that. It was a same-day procedure. Then, about two months ago, I became extremely dehydrated even though I have been drinking about 72 ounces of water a day. That led to a trip to the emergency room because I was running a very high fever and was really dizzy. They pumped me full of IV fluids and sent me on my way. Last weekend, I ended up with severe heartburn and acid reflux so badly that the surgeon had to perform a fluoroscopy. It showed that the band had slipped and he needed to perform a corrective surgery. He told me it slipped because I lost a dramatic amount of weight for a bandster in 8 months. The surgery was actually longer than the first (4 hours) and I am in a lot more pain than the original. I don't regret my decision for surgery, as it has changed my life and I am so much healthier. I just wish someone would have told me more about this increased possibility of slippage before I had to be hospitalized over it. I would also make sure that your surgeon is straight with you when asking him questions. I am finding that my original surgeon painted a rosey picture for me right along and that is not how things always are, even with the band. Hope this helps. Terri

Terri, I'm just curious, since I haven't seen to many recent people with slippage... did your surgeon stitch the band in place? I know that a small part of my stomach is pulled up around the band so that slippage is much less likely. The only complications I've had with my band is not being able to keep restriction. I thought that I had a leak because when I would go for a fil, not all of the liquid would be there, and I'd lose restriction after a week or two. However, right when I was thinking I needed to get it checked with a dye injection, it suddenly kicked in! And when I went for my most recent fill, all the saline was still in it!! I think it's a miracle, but I'll take it! I'm sorry that your surgeon didn't give you all the facts. Mine made a point of pointing out all the things that could happen. However, I must say that MOST of the possible complications on the Lap Band side were the same as any surgery and then add slippage and band erosion. I'm really curious about your slippage, and the reason the dr. gave. How much did you lose in 8 months? Hope you're feeling all better now and will be complication free from here on out!! ERyn