THE SYMPTOMS OF LONG TERM FAILURE OF A LAPAROSCOPIC ADJUSTABLE BAND

Whatever the type of complication of the lap-banding, here are the main symptoms that are consistant with a long-term technical failure:
- Vomiting : it is a concern if it becomes frequent, and occurs with a modest food intake. If even drinking out of the meals becomes difficult, an X-Ray should be performed as soon as possible and the band should be deflated; in the same time one checks for the positionning of the band, the gastric pouch above it and the size of the oesophagus. An upper GI endoscopy is usually unnecessary, and represents a waste of time in most cases.
- Food intolerance : it goes with vomiting and gastro-esophageal reflux, i.e. heartburn, mostly when lying down (at night). This is caused often by a too tight band, a slipped band, an esophageal dilatation, or sometimes a physiological fatigue that eventually will lead to band removal.
- Pain : it can be heartburn, with food or saliva reflux; or more or less intense adbominal deep pain. This can be explained by a pouch dilatation above the band (herniation) and/or slippage of the band, particularly if combined with vomiting.
- Local symptoms : temporay pain caused by the access-port is common and often related to physical activities or manual work. If the port is really sore and if there is some oedema and redness, then one should see a physician because an infection may have set in.
- Unsual food compliance: if food intake becomes way easier than usual, one suspects a leak at some place of the device (port, catheter, or band itself). This can be assessed with an X-Ray. Sometimes it is caused by the intragastric migration of the band, that becomes charred by acid. Weight-regain is a logical consequence of a band leakage and this should be fixed.