trialsnurse

I had lap band surgery in July 2008. I recently had to switch surgeons due to insurance issues. The new surgeon wanted to do an EGD to check placement of the band before he did anything to it. When he performed the EGD, he told me that it appears as if the band has become unsnapped. He said it should look round where the band is placed. The side where the band is supposed to be snapped is bulging. Is this a complication of the band or have you ever heard of this happening before?

Dr. Callery

The lock on the Lap Band is quite secure, and it wouldn't "unsnap" if had been properly snapped or seated in the first place. I haven't had any experience with the Realize band.

When I evaluate a patient who comes into the practice with band problems, the factors that I look at are the patient's history (very important), an EGD, and an upper GI series with food. So far, I haven't seen a patient with an unsnapped band.

Band buckle failure might be suggested in a person who had good restriction and suddenly had none. One would have to consider tubing and balloon failure as well.

When our practice does an upper GI with food, we ask the patient bring a sandwich to the radiology lab. The patient eats the sandwich coated with a little barium. If the band had unsnapped, even repeated large bites of food would pass through with virtually no obstruction. When we do the study, I will work with the radiologist to be sure we get the information we need as the patient watches the screen. The study is always educational and sometimes surprising.

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