Lap Band Slippage Fix

I had Lap band surgery in June of 2009.  In April of 2011, my band slipped and the doctor's office removed the saline from my band.  I was told that I could get a re-fill once my stomach had gone below the band.  That was 9 months ago.  Now the doctor is refusing to refill my band and also refusing to remove the band.  I need help.  I would like to get the band refilled as I have gained back 50 of the 80 pounds that I have lost.  Are there any suggestions?

There must be a reason your doctor refuses to refill your band, I assume?  Have you had tests to confirm that the slip has corrected itself?

If your doctor refuses to help you, I'd suggest finding a new doctor. Or at least getting a second opinion, at the very least.

Good luck to you.

I agree with Nic I'd find out why he won't refill and if it doesn't make sense get a second opinion or a completely new doc. That just doesn't make sense.

As the others say. He must have a reason so you need to find out what that reason is. Then you can consider your options. You obviously wouldn't want it refilled if there is still a problem. And you need to know why he won't remove it.

All lap band slips CAN'T be refilled, did they tell you what type of slip you have? There are different levels of slippage, the most harmless slip is a mild pouch dilation (concentric) this type of slip can be re filled, slowly and carefully after 6 weeks.

If your surgeon has not refilled your band in an almost a year, there is much more damage going on, you need to find out how bad your slip is and seek a second opinion with another surgeon.

If you have no restriction on any empty band, you probably have a prolapsed where the pouch gets big, not really dangerous UNTIL the surgeon starts refilling. Some people have a more dangerous slip where they have tight restriction with no saline in the band, this type of slip will eventually cause the patient to experience food intolerance to the point of not able to keep liquids down on a empty band.

Also you need to get your original pouch size where your new surgeon can compare your pouch with a new Upper Gi, some slips don't show up well on Upper Gi's unless your surgeon can compare the original pouch to the new slipped pouch.

You need to seek help immediately from another surgeon.

Good luck.