Comments on: Lap Band Leaks: What You Should Know

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:32:41 +0000

Hi Kim,
The lapband port repair for leaking can be done under local anesthesia and sedatives and can be done at the doctor’s office specially if the doctor is experienced in this kind of problems.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:27:38 +0000

Hey Dr Rodriguez,

To have a repair to the port or the tub near the port is surgery under Anastasia required? Or is this something that can be done in the office?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:14:23 +0000

Hello Cheri,
Some of the old lapband ports were prone to break and leak at the connection with the hose and they changed the lapband port design.
There are other causes of lapband leak at the port area and one of them is the office fills where the needle can damage the hose.
The first step is to evaluate the level of the leak and to fix it re-locating the port and removing couple inches from the hose.

By: Cheri

Cheri — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:07:36 +0000

Hi Doc,
I had lapband 5 years ago… I have lost 127 pounds at goal weight. I had a first leak at 6 months and repaired. No problems until now another leak. I have already paid for first surgery and first leak. I don’t think its fair to pay again for second leak. I have worked my butt off. I didn’t do anything to cause a leak. Why and what happens why am I leaking AGAIN. I’m so frustrated. I can’t afford more surgery. At what poing its it the makers of Lap Band? thank you

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:40:26 +0000

Hello Jerry,
You need to be sure where the lapband leak is. Many times the leak it is at the level of the lapband port so there is not need to replace the Lapband or to have a laparoscopic surgery.
Your doctor should do the lapband fill under fluoro using a dye to detect the leaking’s level.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:00:32 +0000

I have had my lapban for two years now and it has leaked sence day one. I just had my first fill under fluoro . He thinks there is a small leak in the ban.
so myDoctor put a thicker fluid in the ban and will check in about 6 weeks. I have a 10 cc ban and he put 8.5 cc in.
If I want the ban replaced, how should pay for the surgery? I have already paid alot of money for this not to work onece. If the it was punchured during instalation by the surgerion, Should the doctor make things right and replace or remove the ban at his cost?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:43:06 +0000

Hello George,
You are probably right George about using a CT when looking for a leak but what I do is during a fill I use Iopamiro and by injecting the substance I increase the pressure inside the lapband system and look close for leaking at the port itself, the connection between the port with the hose and 10 cm after the port.
Leaks at the balloon area after so many years are just find “rare” because they are usually cause by punters during surgery.

By: George

George — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:08:44 +0000

Since it’s a slow leak, injecting dilute contrast (10:1) and getting a delayed CT (after a few hours) may show the source. CT’s are much more sensitive to seeing contrast material that is leaking.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:33:42 +0000

Hello Rachel,
First of all, do always your lapband fills under fluoro.
I have found that many times the lapband port is not reach and the saline is injected in the surroundings.
What kind of Lapband do you have? Usually most leaking are find close to the port specially if they placed you an old lapband model.
Is your doctor familiar with lapband adjustments and for detecting erosions?

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 05:05:51 +0000

Hello Dr

I had a band fitted 3 years ago. Up until about November last year it worked wonders and I lost almost 80kgs. In November for some reason it started to not work – I’d go to the surgeon and he’d fill it and the restriction would barely last a couple of days. I eventually went and saw the surgeon direct who took me for an xray but they couldn’t find a leak anywhere so I went back for another fill and it showed that I had lost 2cc in 2 weeks. They then put in thicker fluid and it still seemed to be disappearing but a further xray and subsequent CT scan showed no leak. My surgeon has basically thrown his hands in the air and says that he doesn’t know what the problem is. This is fine for him however I’ve put on also 18kg since November. I worked so hard to get to where I was and want to know there is some way to work towards a solution. Any ideas?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:46:18 +0000

Hello Sue,
It is not possible to have a collapsed lapband port and the tube can’t hold more than .5 cc
It is more frequent to see an enlarged pouches and not to be able to feel the same restriction because of that.

By: Sue

Sue — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:22:48 +0000

Hello Dr,
I have had my band for about 6 years now and has been working wonderfully on 7.5ml fill. Now my band has stopped working and I am putting on weight fast. I just had an endoscopy to check that it wasnt sitting inside the stomach. the Dr said everything looked normal. The band now has a total of 9 ml in it and I was wondering, is it possible for the saline to be sitting inside the tube and not in the ballon? Could a valve have collapsed so the saline isnt staying in the ballon?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:28:42 +0000

Hello Marilyn,
What kind of lapband do you have?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:28:07 +0000

Hello Dana,
Was your fill done under fluoro? How many cc’s had you have totally?
Let me know because it’s important to give you my opinion.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:54:17 +0000

live in CA unemployed need a doctor to replace port due to severe leakage/gained 100lbs
need help

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:11:52 +0000

Hello Dr.
I had my lap band placed 9/30/2011, my question is, i dont feel any restriction, i still feel ” unbanded” i have had 2 fills, i have a 10cc band. at the last fill 1/4/2012, when she filled my band (in the office) there was alot of bubbling sounds.. i could hear it definatively in my body. does this mean i may have a leak?
why could i not be feeling any restriction after the 1st few days?
thank you

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:53:47 +0000

Hello Cassie,
No, I have never seen one leaking without changing the saline color but any way you need to check for not losing the restriction you have now.
Thank you for your comments about me. Happy New 2012.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:51:04 +0000

Hello Tonya,
Lapband leaking usually comes from the port to the hose connection so it is easy to have it repair.
If you are thinking in having it repair by us send an email to md@thebariatric.com

By: Cassie

Cassie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:07:35 +0000

Hello doctor! First thank you for all of your healthy and informative responses. I just went and got filled. When he pulled out the saline that was in my band there was 6 ccs… I have always thoguht that I was filled more – but I am human and may have mis-counted over the fast three years.

My question is – have you ever seen a leak patient that had clear saline? Just double checking… Thank you again!

By: Tonya Leslie

Tonya Leslie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:04:39 +0000

My band is leaking so i need some help. I contact my other doctor but they call me back.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:28:03 +0000

Hello Cathie,
Many patients do not get restriction a few days after having a lapband fill specifically the first ones.
Shoulder pain is a “referral” pain, meaning that that pain is originated in the esophagus, stomach, gastro-esophageal junction or in its close vicinity.
I do not like or promote the fills that are done in the office because we can’t check and detect early lapband complications.
Some pain medications and anti inflammatories can cause shoulder pain or hurt the stomach so you should check it with your doctor.
I recommend you to tell your husband to have a lapband fill under fluoroscopy and to take Maalox and acid blockers.
.

By: Cathie

Cathie — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:09:46 +0000

My husband had the large Allergan band place on 10/14/2011 and the surgeon said that he was the most difficult patient he had ever done associated with the fat around his heart and lungs. He stated that he did not fill the band because of the expected edema. My husband is a Type I on a pump and this does not help the fat issue. With just the band in place he felt restriction, had the foamies and vomiting when he ate to fast X 1. He had his first fill on 11/15/2011. The NP stuck him 6 times, said he had 2.4 mls in and filled him to 3.5ml. After this fill he began to have severe intermittent shoulder pain in a particular place, it does not move but gets more severe when he eats, he does not feel the restriction he felt before the fill. I am wondering if the device may have come unlocked during the fill. His complaints are extremely specific. He actually took pain meds for the pain to his shoulder area. He did not take any post surgical pain medication and I am worried.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:21:45 +0000

Hello Claire,
Most of the time leaking of a lapband is find at the port area in the connection with the hose.
I would have my questions about when leaking at the balloon area because I saw just one case in my early days placing lapbands (17 years ago) that was a factory defect and they gave the new lapband.
When the leak is at the port area it can just be fixed and patients pay for that.
When leaking is at the balloon the lapband has to be change and the expenses have to be covered either by the insurance or the patient most of the time.

By: Claire Sewell

Claire Sewell — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:40:53 +0000

My friend had her band fitted in Feb 2011 she has just been told its leaking and she will have to pay again for another! is it normal practice to charge again in such a short period of time?
thanks

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:35:21 +0000

Hello Maggie,
You don’t need to worry about a Lapband Leak. You need top have another fill under fluoroscopy.
Not all the patients get adjusted equal with the same amount of food even having the same lapband model. This is also influenced by the starting weight and the BMI.
I just would go for another fill and then make a conclusion of what is happening.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:40:01 +0000

I had the band in May 2011. I lost 30 lbs the first 2 months but once i really started on solids, the resistance subsided. Mid October had a barium test, it passed through very easily. they filled 2.5 ccs – up to 8.5 now. The first week had resistance, now I have very little resistance again (this happened with the first 2 fills also). i can eat anything except dry chicken and nuts which do take a little while to pass, but the sensation i get from these foods is what i expect from all foods. Could it be an undetected leak? Should I request another barium? Or, is it possible that my diet is causing the no resistance? According to others who have had this, they physically cannot eat even an entire half sandwhich; i can eat the entire sandwich with no issue. I am discouraged and would like some direction. much appreciated. thanks.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:21:22 +0000

Hello Ghada,
I removed all the fluid from the lapband when I see an enlarged lapband pouch.
I wait 1 month at least after all the saline was removed from the lapband and I check again the pouch status, from there I decide which way to go.

By: ghada

ghada — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:50:27 +0000

I had a gastric band surgery 18 months ago . Recently i had a n x ray with contrast fluid and it showed that the pouch is larer than it used to be please advise what shall i do

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 13:40:22 +0000

Hello Jen,
You can have a barium swallow with the lapband totally closed -100%- and should be a restriction during the test. If there is no restriction at all you have a lapband erosion.
You can also be checked by an endoscopist to confirm the presence Lapband erosion.
I do take any patient but I am located in Monterrey, Mexico.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 02:44:56 +0000

Hi DR. I had lap band placed feb 2010 and have lost no weight. I have 9 cc fill. I have no restriction. I has an upper gi showing no restriction and a 13 mm barium tablet went past band area without even stopping. The radiologist told me something was definitely wrong. If the band is about 80% full, the average stoma opening would be 6.4 mm so a 13 mm tablet should not be able to pass freely. I can not get the surgeon to list tO my concerns even with an upper gi read of no restriction. I am now getting back and epigastric pain. I am frustrated and need guidance as to what to do next. I contacted another bariatric surgeon and was tOld that the surgeon doesn’t take on other surgeons patients.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:42:03 +0000

Hello Cindy,
The old ports of the old Inamed models gave problems to many lap banded patients.
Re-locating the lapband port avoiding to be close to the rib will lower the probability of tubing breaking. The lapband should work as should be after fixing the port this way. Should be done laparoscopic since the tube is inside the abdominal cavity.

By: Cindy H

Cindy H — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:02:03 +0000

hello Dr: I had my lapband installed in 2005. I lost 100 lbs within a year and felt great. In 2008 I started gaining weight and found a leak in the tubing which was fixed laparsopically under general anenthesia. My surgeon advised that Inamed lapbands seemed to leak and have tubing issues. Just this week I began to have left flank and shoulder jabbing pain resulting in a visit to the local ER. Have been advised tubing broke and is floating around in the belly. It is assumed that the metal connector is jabbing me at times causing this pain which comes and goes upon position. Laying down and deep breathing seem to cause the deepest pain. Also seems to worsen after I eat. Waiting for insurance to decide to approve. Should I have the darn thing removed? This is the 2nd surgery to fix a tubing problem. Is this common, a surgeon error, a mfg defect? Thank you!

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:16:23 +0000

Hello Liz Rose,
I hate to tell you that you had an old lapband model……Many times the leaking at the port area or close to it in the hose are not seen by doctors and nurses….There is not a “sweating” from the lapband system but leaks…

By: liz rose

liz rose — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:09:22 +0000

I was banded in Nov 2010, with a 4 cc band, allergan in Mexico. I have had 4 fills over the duration and have been very cautious not to overfill. Last time I went in for a fill I was very frustrated at the lack of restriction and the Dr pulled out the fluid and got less that 1cc out of the 3 fills. She used a dye to check for leaks and sd no leaks…but sometimes people “sweat out” the saline. She put in a “thicker” solution and it was wonderul restiction for about 2 months and has seemed to relax again. First off…have you ever heard of this sweating issue? and what are your thoughts on the fluid loss? should I see another dr? I have only had fills under flouroscopy.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 03:17:05 +0000

Hello Kerry,
The lapband port could be kink but most frequent found is that the port is not actually located and the saline is injected into the fat.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:40:13 +0000

I was wondering what it means when your are attempting to get a fill and there is a lot of pain, like cramping for about 5 minutes afterwards and the band did not have any saline in it when pulling back. It possible to kink?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:10:05 +0000

Hello Pamela,
When the liquid is clear and the test inside the Lapband is negative there is not leaking.
Some of the Lapband test are done without taking a very close look at the port area and that is what I do to detect leaking.
It is very rare to have a leaking in the balloon area but unproper handling during surgery could be a cause of it and that lapband will need to be replaced.
If the leaking is at the port area of the lapband system just fixing there will be enough.

By: Pamela Nwanguma

Pamela Nwanguma — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:20:28 +0000

I was banded about two years ago. I have never been totally restricted. When would go back for a fill, the PA will check the saline and it is always less than would was placed in the band. The liquid is clear. I am very frustrated because I have not lost any weight. A test was run over me to check for leakage but after the test, the results were not discussed. They just continued to give me fills that were not giving results. I am thinking about having a tummy tuck but my plastic surgeon told me to talk to my surgeon about the lap band problem first. What should I do? If this is a mechanical problem with the band, will I have to pay for replacement?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:01:44 +0000

Hello,
I do use local anesthesia + sedation for changing the lapband port.
When the hose of the lapband is inside the abdominal cavity I do use general and the laparoscope.
What is the problem with your port that need to be changed?

By: swantime

swantime — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:52:35 +0000

does replacing the port require intubation and general anesthesia.
is there some other way to change the port other than using general anesthesia/intubation

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 05:40:57 +0000

Hi Christy,
Your Lapband is the firs model, old, old. But was working for you.
You need to be checked under fluoro for leaking or erosion.

By: Christy

Christy — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:03:13 +0000

Dr. Rodriguez,
I must have an older model one because my band only holds like 4 cc’s , I just went back to my fill doctor and the last time I was in she put in 3.6 cc’s and she went to check it out and there was NOTHING!! So I am guessing I have a leak, I am so upset because before I had my gall bladder surgery everything was great, I was keeping my weight where I wanted it and now it is obviously holding nothing , I have gained weight and it is so depressing! I am not sure of anyone in the area that does the fluro fill, my doctor is in Mexico so I am thinking I may have to go back to him. The doctor that did my gall bladder surgery does lapbands as well but I am scared to go back to him in fear he nicked it and didn’t say anything!! I hadn’t had a fill since 2009 that’s how well I was liking where my fill was and now this, I AM SO FRUSTRATED!!

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:38:02 +0000

Hello Jessica,
Unless the knot is tight and is impossible to put in or to pull out the fluid from the lapband system I would do something.
If the knot is tight, I disconnect de hose from the lapband port and then I unlock the knot laparoscopically.

By: jessica

jessica — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:39:21 +0000

I was banded in nov 2010 and had my gallbladder removed on 5/27/2011. The surgeon who took out my gallbladeer is also a lapband surgeon but not the one who did my lapband. Any case , while removing the gallbladder the surgeon noticed that my tube was tied in a knot. He took pictures and then removed the old tube and replaced it. I have never heard of this happening and am wondering how it happened and why it was necessary to redo it.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Mon, 30 May 2011 04:09:34 +0000

Hello Christy,
3.7 was too little for a fill unless you have an old lapband model.
How many cc you got this last time? Did you have your fill under fluoro? What kind of lapband do you have?
Let me know.