The stent is blocked. You do have to go to a hospital to get it replaced, or if the doctor's feel it will just become blocked again, they can do a PTBD procedure. It drains the bile out of the body. It's a big step. She will have permanent bags connected to a hole in her. The dressings have to be constantly changed, and the bags have to be drained, and you have to bee careful of infection. However, you will see improvement right away. This happened to mymom, and in a few days her color improved and her appetite is back. She eats anything now. Hope all goes well with your mom