Banded Together

I keep reading about the band slipping and that the post op diet is really meant to keep this from happening. Before I thought that the chance of it slipping was pretty low, but now I’m getting concerned. I’m really trying to stick to the post op diet, but what if I eat something wrong. How often does the band really slip? Also, would I know if it slipped and how would I know? Can anyone help me with these questions?

The risk of slippage is very low, as I understand it, with a typical band surgery. Surgeons at Weight Loss Surgical Center actually also sew a flap of stomach over the band to help keep it even more secure. The post-op diet is the final precaution to prevent it.

Jen, the post-op diet is tough, just stick to it as well as you can, and in just a couple more weeks your life on that front will be easier.

I’m not certain of the symptoms of a band slip, but definitely talk to you clinical provider at you next visit, so you’ll know what to look out for. If it seems like slippage could happen to a person, the provider will do a barium swallow to see for sure.

Remember that part of the reason you probably got the band was because it has low risks for complications, and take heart in that. I would stick to the post-op diet as close as you can, and you should be pretty safe.

jenduffey81 - 23 May 2009 05:06 PM

I’m really trying to stick to the post op diet, but what if I eat something wrong.

Don’t spend your time worrying about the “what if’s,” spend your time making good choices during this beginning phase of your new life.  In comparison to patients of other band doctors, we are the lucky ones.  Some doctors require 3 weeks of liquids.  If I remember right we only have a week of liquids before we get to move on to mushy stuff. 

Just remember - You can and will do this and will come out successful on the other side.

Slippage happens very, very, rarely, it is not something to worry about. If it happens you will know because, the portions will change and it usually is a result of VIOLENT vomiting. When you over eat or have something that is not band friendly and it has to come back up it is different than vomiting from the bottom of your stomach when your sick or drink to much. The food will be caught at the top ( pouch )of your stomach and normally come right back up without much effort.  This is why slippage is not something to worry about. I had a patient ask me one time if being in a bumpy boat ride would wiggle the band loose or cause a slippage, and it made me smile a bit inside, I told him not to worry that I do back flips on my sons trampoline and that lil band is sewn in place nice and tight. Long story short, you will know if it happens and it’s so rare it is not something to worry about at all.
Independence Clinic Adam