Can a lap band patient have and MRI done?

I am having severe joint pain and muscle cramps.  After several tests, it was determined I have fluid in my abdomen.  We are not supposed to have fluid there.  My inflammation markers came back as 10 times higher than that of the average person.  He said this suggests an infection somewhere.  However, I have no fever.  In any case, he wants to do an MRI.  Is this a safe procedure for the lap band?  Is it possible the band is causing this? 

Yes, you can have an MRI - the port is not reactive. As far as the band causing your symptoms - only your doctor can figure that out.  Good luck!

Hi Patti, I checked with the radiology dept at our hospital and having an MRI with the band is no problem. I had to have a Brain MRI and I had no problems. You could have some excess fluid that may or may not go away on it's own. Good luck. Mona

In the past 2 months I have had an MRI, CAT Scan, Stomach scope, and Ultrasound.  I dont think there are any tests you can't have..   There isn't any metal in your band.. so you will be fine. Amanda

According to my surgeon, there is actually a little metal in the band that can cause a slight "scatter" effect on the MRI, but it is totally safe to have one.

I had an MRI last night.  Apart from the technicians being befuddled by the band, and having to scramble to provide them with a note from the manufacturer attesting to the fact that there is only silicone and titanium in the appliance and it is MRI safe. Still, I kept my hand on my port to keep it from escaping my body.   

I AM AN MRI WITH A LAP BAND---THERE IS NOTHING IN OR USED  IN THE LAP BAND THAT MAKES YOU UNABLE TO HAVE AN MRI.  THE ONLY TIME YOU NEED TO FESS UP ABOUT HAVING A LAP BAND WHEN HAVING MEDICAL TESTS IS IF THEY ARE LOOKING AT YOUR ESOPHAGUS OR YOUR STOMACH--ANY OTHER TIME IT IS IRRELIVANT !!!!!

Yup... I have had 2 in the last year.  You can go to www.lap-band.com and find a patient card that says "MRI Compatable".  Make sure you tell the person doing the MRI knows about your band or other metals in your body... but the band is find in the MRI. Fluid in the abdomen can be caused by several things.  You need to first see where and how much.  Keep watching your temperature and pain level.  If you find that you are worsening, you need to go in.  Sometimes they can do a centisis and draw out the fluid to see what it is composed of. I haven't heard of the band doing this to anyone unless there is an abscess around the band/port/tubing.  Make sure they can ID those structures and relation to the fluid.  I'm not a doctor, but you have to make sure it isn't related to the band.

Thanks Aylssa, your info is very helpful.  I was rather shocked to hear I had some fluid in my abdomen yesterday.  This was not mentioned to me before and I had these tests done a few months ago and have been suffering so badly.  My doc told me yesterday to start taking my temperature daily around 4 - 5 PM and chart it.  He said something about possibly doing a white blood cell count.  Any idea what that is for?  I pray they figure this out soon.  The pain is so debilatating, I can barely walk!

White blood cell count (WBC) it to look for an infection.  Someone that has erosion of the band, can have an abscess in the abdomen and their WBC will be elevated.  Whenever you have an infection, your WBC count should go up.  You typically also have a fever.  If you are taking tylenol or pain killers daily, it could supress your temp a bit too. I sure hope you get to the bottom of this!  I suffered for 3 months with my gallbladder attacks before it was ID'd.  Keep on your doctors!  Be your own advocate and demand tests quickly to get to the bottom of it!  If the pain is so bad, go to the ER!