Ask Dr. Curry?

I was told I possibly have a twisted or kinked tube in my lapband tubing. I went for a fill today and she couldn't withdrawl any fluid or put any in. So I go back in a week to see the actual doc (not NP). I'm curious what is the surgery like to fix this problem? And is surgery the only answer. Can it fix on it's own? She stated she has never had one that she couldn't put liquid IN. When she tried to w/d the fluid I felt that same rush in my stomach, but no liquid came out. I thought for sure it had. So needless to say we are all baffled. Have you dealt with kinks and twists? -Barb

I have seen this before.  It can be tough to figure out where the kink is.  Can be a minor procedure that just takes a few minutes, or a full laparoscopic operation.  No way to predict really.

I  had a small fill on February 11th that put me at 5.7 cc's in a 10 cc band. Within a few days I started having reflux and heartburn. I didn't put the fill and the reflux together. I finally came on OH and mentioned it on March 9th (almost a month later) and some very wise people told me to get to the doctor immediately. I was in the doctor's office at 8:00 the next morning. He removed 2 cc's. So, that took me down to 3.7 cc's in my band.

I went to see the doctor yesterday and because I let the reflux and heartburn go on for as long as I did, I have a slight prolapsed (slipped) band and some dilatation. The doctor removed another 2 cc's. I am now down to 1.7 cc's in my 10 cc band. He said he honestly believes that this rest period will be all that I need to get myself back on track. I see him in 3 weeks to make sure that the prolapse has corrected itself. If not, I may have to have surgery to reposition the band. He told me he felt pretty confident that in three weeks I will be fine. The photo he took under fluoroscope prior to the unfill versus the one after showed a dramatic difference already. 

If I have a true prolapse will my band have to be replaced or is this something that can correct itself with proper care and waiting?

I find that true prolapses usually have to be fixed surgically.  Often times once you are re filled it will go back to the same position.  Time will tell though.  Best of luck to you.

Dr. Curry

You know I am a patient of Dr. Teel and he is the best.......so I am asking how you handle this so I can present to him at my next appointment.

I am going to have a revision to a lower profile port as I have lost so much weight that it

1. Sticks out like an egg
2. I cannot exercise it directly without discomfort, and fills seem much more difficult.  It's securely attached, but just settled in a weird place, essentially. 

I am having done in conjunction with a transverse vaginal sling or tape for my urethra, so to minimize my total out of pocket. 

My question is - how do you handle the fill/unfill of the band for a port-only revision?  I am at my perfect sweet spot for the first time in my entire journey and I hate to think I am going to start over.....I did all this (115 lbs total, 86 since 8/5/08) with good but not perfect restriction.

I appreciate your time and congrats on the band, you rock!

We usually will tend to leave you with a little less fluid, just because if your port needs to be accessed for an unfill in the first week or two after surgery, it can be difficult.  However, I have done them where I left the operating room with the exact same amount the patient came in with.

Thanks, I would probably accept a small unfill then if I were still at this restriction level, to be safe. 

Did you get the low-profile port since your BMI was low?  I wanted one.......even asked about it beforehand!

I did.  We have used them exclusively for about the last 2 years.

Oh geez.......I hate having to get this revision but I am not going to keep my "egg" either!

What muscle is the port sewn to?  I just picked up a heavy box and hurt my port area. The port kind of popped out and I pushed it back in with my fingers. I have already had a flipped port (July 2008) and had it sewn back in place. Could I have flipped it again?