Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
Sign in to follow this  
  • entries
    6
  • comments
    14
  • views
    2,705

Lapband Is Finally Coming Out!

cadezma77

530 views

So after a long drawn out process the crap band is finally coming out!!!

I had my upper GI and dr said everything looked good. Band looked like it was in a "slightly different" place but that shouldn't cause any issues.

I then was still having the nausea, and problems eating, vomitting etc....they finally gave in and did the EGD. The printout that I got afterwards talked about possible Barretts esophagus. They took 4 biopsies and it was a week from hell waiting for answers. The more I googled the barretts the more stressed out I got. In the end it was NEGATIVE...thank God! It turned out to be esophagitis. I then met with dr and she said soooo what are you wanting to do?? my reply TAKE IT OUT!!! duh!!! same thing ive wanted for months now!! I asked if the esophagitis was a possible reason for the inconsistancy inthe band and why I can eat better some days and not so well others....her reply "not necessarily"...hmmm Honestly, I still believe that my doctors think I am nuts. If I have to hear one more lecture about "using my tool correctly" Im going to freak!!! Do they not see that my "tool" worked great for 2 years....and then issues arose. Need I remind them that I was comfortable with 7ccs in my band and at this point can't get past 4.5 or 5ccs without issues. Not to mention I am 100% unfilled right now and have vomitted and had days where things were too tight! In my opinion that "slightly different placement" of the band may be the key! I am not a doctor but thats my thoughts.

so I left my appt with no dates info etc. emailed two days later to see what the plan was and got a phone call saying insurance approved it and Im sched for nov 20. They wont discuss the sleeve until 6mths out. In that time my cobra will expire!!! I have been researching Dr Garcia in MX and now I am trying to weigh my options. If I go to him for both procedures, there is a possibility both procedures can be performed at the same time. Of course if not then I would be better off just doing the lap band removal in US and waiting to heal. Its a tough choice!!!! Another thing that I have to consider is my hubby and I are going on our first cruise and honeymoon in march (after 14yrs of marriage) and if I go to MX there will be about 7weeks between surgery and cruise. I am not concerned with not being able to pig out on the cruise, but I am concerned that I will be on a somewhat "normal" diet and healed fully enough to enjoy our vacay.

I am just glad to be getting it out!!! I am up to my presurgery weight and I pray I do not gain anymore!!!!



3 Comments


Recommended Comments

Can't speak to the band to sleeve revision but can say that after one month I was pretty much back to normal as far as pain level and activity. My diet plan allowed solids after 5 weeks...albiet small amounts but I was able to eat most things...I say most because you find that some things you ate pre-surgery no longer agree with you...

But speaking solely based on my opinion, I would allow my insurance carrier to remove the band and then move forth with the sleeve at a later date...With the chances being about 50/50 whether they can do the band to sleeve revision in one surgery, you run the risk of two surgeries anyways and the letdown of waking up to find out you are not sleeved. You also your sleeve surgeon time to reviews some medical records and X-rays to get an idea of what is involved so they can give a realistic expectation when you would be ready for surgery and what it would involved (i.e. scar tissue issues) to sleeve ya. But I am just a gov't worker and not a doctor so take what I say with a grain of salt...

Share this comment


Link to comment

Any chance there's another bariatric center of excellence near you that you can go to for a second opinion? Maybe they would be able to to the revision (removal + sleeve) in the time before your COBRA runs out so you can still have it while covered? I know it's getting close to the end of the year, but it never hurts to try if the possibilities are available to you.

Good luck. I hope you're able to find a surgeon who will be able to perform the procedure(s) you are wanting so you can get back on the road to slim. Going through all of that just to end up right back where you were at the beginning is heart breaking. We're all doing this because we've all traveled that road too many times, and the idea is to find a path that will not lead back to where we are!

Hugs and prayers.

Share this comment


Link to comment

So here I am speaking from the horses mouth..................I had my revision with Dr Garcia September 10th. He only charged me $500.00 to take out the band. IMO it would be the best decision to do it in one surgery. I had a small stomach hernia and he fixed it also for free. I had no complications and had the band for 5 years. There is nothing to "heal" if you have no issues with your band, don't risk the weight gain by doing two surgeries. You could probably have your surgery this year and be well on your way by cruise time.

Share this comment


Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

×