x-post: band slip experiences anyone?

Okay, so I've been having some really whacked things going on, and I don't know what to think about them.  I'll give a run down.  See what you all think.  I'll start from the beginning.

Some of you know, that I can't have any more than 3cc's in my 10cc band, or else I'm so tight I can't swallow my own spit.  However, at 3cc's, I have zero restriction, which is making weight loss non-existant (which really sucks!).  So, I go in to the doctor, she does a barium swallow to check the position of my band.  She says it looks like it's in the right spot, but this was months ago.  Then, a few days after I saw her, I get a call from my original surgeon (the two docs are partners, btw), who says that he sees a potential problem with the fluro pics.  He asks me about any port infection (which I've never had...port is painful sometimes, but no obvious infection).  He asks me about acid reflux (which has been awful since I had him put more than 3cc's in.).  Even after my emergency unfill, the acid has not subsided at all.  I have a chronic cough, especially at night, from the reflux.  He says he's not sure what to think, because I have no port issues, which would indicate erosion.  I DO have reflux, but according to the fluro, the band was still in position, and the flow of barium was good.  His fix for the problem?  Take DOUBLE the dose of OTC acid reducer. 

So, I go on my merry way, double my dose of the OTC medicine, continue to have reflux and not losing a pound (I've actually gained a few back).

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when I get sick with what I thought was just a simple cold.  Eh!  Wrong, again!  I ended up with a sinus infection and bronchitis, for which I was given liquid zythromax (omg!  nasty tasting crap! ), albuterol inhaler, and a narcotic cough syrup.  I've since finished the antibiotics, yet I'm still having some minor sinus junk.  The cough, however, has not budged....at all.  At times, I cough so hard I gag.  Almost like once my lungs are out of air, they stick together and won't expand to take in more air (very scary!)

So, yesterday, I tried to eat an omelet with diced up bacon, ham, tomatoes, and jalapenos (yummy!).  I took the first bite, chewed it to death, swallowed....stuck.  It went down after a few minutes of excruciating pain, so I (stupidly) decided to try another bite.  This time, I chewed it, until there was nothing left to chew.  Same result.  Crap.  I go back to liquids for the rest of the day.  I'm thinking, my god!  Yesterday, I ate a sandwich on really dense, whole wheat bread with no problem, and now I can't even eat a dead omelet?  Weird, but OK, lets do liquids and see what happens.

This morning, I'm STARVING, of course.  I remind myself that I need to eat slow to test the waters.  I whip up some pretty runny scrambled eggs and a patty sausage.  First bite of eggs, went down OK.  Second bite the same.  Third bite (which was a tiny bite of sausage) stuck.  My mouth instantly fills up with the nasty St. Bernard type slobber.  I'm guessing the eggs went down so well, because they were so runny?

Isn't this indicative of a slip?  I'm chewing everything to death, so there's no chunks going down.  I do know that reflux, plus coughing like this is a sign of a slip, but how long does it take for a slip to happen?  Can it happen in a moment's time?  Do I need to go back and tell the docs I want another barium swallow to see what's going on in there?

I never had a slip but I had many other problems. Honestly, I wish they would take the band off the market. They make people think it is so safe, so non-invasive, you just eat the same load of crap you did pre op and magically lose weight and people want so desperately to believe, they do. They totally ignore the fact that it is the slowest weight loss, the least weight loss, and the highest regain. Complications are just as great in number as bypass but typically not as serious as the bypass complications.

I see people saving their money, refinancing their homes, dipping into their kids college funds to obtain money for self pay banding and before you know it, they are in OR for a 2nd self pay surgery to fix some stupid problem with the band. I never suggest banding for ANY self pay person, it ends up being one of the most expensive surgery types out there.

Honestly, I think the best punishment for the makers of the band is to band THEM and see how long that thing stays on the market. Better yet, band the band makers family members. I'll bet you they would be singing a whole new tune.

I agree with you, 100%, MWG.  I makes me want to post on threads that say "I have a date", just to tell that person that they're making a mistake.  I'm tired of ruffling feathers though, so I guess people will just have to learn for themselves.

I get sick of ruffling feathers too but I continue anyway.  But... at least when people have band problems down the road they can't say they didn't know.  If they do any amount of research and read it all vs. ignoring the bad, they will see and go into this wide eyes wide open.

Oh God you are so right. Couldn't agree more.

LOL So I am not evil after all!! I want to post sooooo badly to prevent someone else from feeling my pain.....

I dont though because once someone has made their mind up they usually dont budge.

Oh my. A slipped band is excruciating! Mine slipped twice and after a revision the 1st time, I went back in to get a new band put in. I had trouble with that as well and have had it undone for 5 months. I have gained all my weight back so I am trying 1 more time! ARRRGGGHHHH

I just found out my band slipped (and could have been that way from the beginning).  I had it done in Mexico.  I am now seeing a doctor locally and had wanted to switch to rny (new insurance will cover it) before I found out about the slip.  They suggested I replaced the band, no pressure, my decision either way but it is an option.  I still feel like I want the rny and am afraid that I will continue to have problems if I just get a new band.  But if I get a new band, it will be a less invasive surgery and they say they could probably keep the port.  Any opinions?

If at all possible, get that thing out of your body, and revise to anything else....I can only talk for about 4 hours before I loose my voice (yes completely as only a squeak comes out) due to a good year of reflux from the band. Permanent damage to my vocal cords.....I am now on steroids as one last ditch effort to shrink them down. So far, no such luck.

Oh my!  I'm so sorry you're having so much trouble!  I'm closer to getting my revision.  My insurance has agreed to pay for my surgery if I can prove that I've been obese for 5 years.  My pcp has sent my records to my surgeon's office, and they will be forwarding them on to my insurance company on Monday.  This band was THE BIGGEST mistake I've ever made.  I feel a little quilty that I don't go on a huge crusade to tell newbies NOT to get the band.  It always turns into a big fight with some of the other bandsters, so now I've been keeping quiet.  I only can pray that others don't have the same problems as I do.