JustFluffy

Thank you for your response. I got approval from my insurance today - and my surgery is scheduled for July 25. It is good to hear from someone that has gone through the revision. Two short weeks - I know it will fly by. Take care of yourself and feel better soon - I'll be joining you in not too long. I hope this site picks up - I've always enjoyed LBT (although left for a while - which is why I'm a newbie now).

Hi Wheetsin. I think the failure (from his explanation to me) is running into complications. He said the tissue of the stomach where the band is paced gets very thin under where your band is placed. If converting to the sleeve - there is a better chance of leakage at this area. I really think it should be taken on a case by case basis. I'm not ideal for sleeve, but it sounds like perhaps you are. My doctor has the most experience in RNYs, has done sleeve and other WLS as well - he has been a surgeon for over thirty years. Saying this - I'm very comfortable with him doing my RNY conversion but would be hesitant with the Sleeve. Like patients - I think doctors are all different as well. You have to be comfortable with their level of expertice. Best of luck Wheetsin - let me know what he says. I actually have my pre-op for surgery on Monday (July 18th) - found out today I was approved by my insurance :-)...I will get more information then.

The majority of band doctor's place the ports in the abdomin. However, there are a few (the doctor that did my band surgery), that place the ports in the upper left chest area. It is stitched to the left chest muscle. Mine is under the upper part of my left breast. The tubing is ran under the breast and to the band.

Oh - another "rule" - If you can't tolerate shredded meat. Don't eat it...EVER.... I have NEVER not gotten stuck on shredded meat (I too was stubborn and tried it - just in case)...If you are going to try solids meats - make sure you cut your portions up into little bitty pieces (like what you would feed to a toddler) and chew chew chew...until there is nada left to chew...and make sure they are not "dry" meats...

Mindy, The first thing you should do is call your doctor. Until you get an appointment, going back to liquids and even mushies would be a good idea. The "shreaded" meats give most bandsters problems. You may still have a piece "stuck" in your opening causing you to PB & Slime. If you have PB'd a lot then you more than likely do have a lot of swelling. Your doctor many need to take out some of your Fluid to help your swelling and give you the ability to eat solids again. The band makes the stomach very touchy. It can take days for it to go down - depends on how inflamed you are. If you continue to become sick on solids, stick to the mushies/liquids. You don't want to continue getting sick, which can cause a slippage. #1 Call your doctor tomorrow morning #2 Stay hydrated and try to get your Protein in (through shakes/supplements) - keep your strength up.

I don't wanna be a downer, but it sounds like to me this is a "am I too full" post. Sounds like you are really close to your sweet spot. It sometimes can take a few days for a little swelling to go down right after a fill (so you may end up really tight the first couple of days after a fill). Looks like you had .5 cc put in on Thursday - you may have only needed .25cc. However it does sound like to me you have good restriction right now. 1/2 wrap may be your limit (is there lettuce, tomatoes.."filling" stuff in there? You may be getting "stuck" on the lettuce). Many banded can't tolerate it. As for the hunger afterwards...at my sweet spot I would always get hungy 2-3 hours after eating. I would try to get in a healthy Protein snack (or shake), to ease my hunger before time for my next "meal". Everyone is different though. However, I don't think you should expect to be full 5 hours after eating. I don't know if it is realistic. (Others may have another opinion). In reality your pouch is the size of an egg...it fills up and you are eating less (hopefully 1/2 cup at a time). Once that food passes - yes you will become hungry again after the digestion process finishes. Hope this helps a little bit. My doctor always placed me on mushies for a couple days after a fill for my body to "adjust" to the fill (as I said before there is sometimes swelling). You may be exactly where you need to be. Give your body some time to adjust - it may loosen up a bit for you. If not you may need a little bit taken out. Tip - when you have the "elephant on your chest" feeling (isn't it wonderful?), stand up and put your hands in the air over your head. It really does help. Also if you are stuck on a meat, mix a little meat tenderizer and warm Water and sip on it...will help loosen up the meat a bit.

I had surgery in April 2008 and my port is in my upper left chest area. I have always had problems with it being sore there (there are a lot of nerve endings that run in that area of the body - is what I've been told). I had to have port revision surgery three months after being banded because the stitches holding my port down came free and it flipped. Now three years post op my port is free (partially) again. Word of warning - just be careful - we use that area of the body more (muscles) in daily activity than those with their ports in their abdomins. I will tell you the soreness from the bra does get better as you heal, but it may or may not get better. I am not an advocate for the port being located there because of all the complications I have had. I'm not trying to scare you - but it is a reality. Hopefully you will have a better outcome than I did. Some people don't have any issues at all. Let me know if you have any questions..I'll try to answer the best I can. Forgot to respond to the reasoning: It is my understanding from the doctor that did my banding surgery that it is there more for convenience (for the fills) and also was told it will not impede or interfere with any organs as those in the abdomin (more specifically the tubing can interfere with the intestinal wall).

Adge, Know you are not alone. I'm glad you have come to a place to talk to others about your struggles. There is a lot of good advice and support here on this site. So many of us are successful with the band, intially. Some continue their success and others struggle. Some struggles are due to medical complications, other struggle through band adjustment and changing lifestyles. Being banded isn't easy - it is hard at first physically - and can become harder mentally as time passes. I too have had my struggles - have jumped on and off the band wagon so many many times. Discovered in the past few months I have medical complications from my band, and it will now have to be removed. My best advice is to find your support (whether its friends, family and even here on LBT) and see your doctor. Sometimes when your fill is too much you end up eating around your band and gaining; if it is not enough you overeat because you aren't at your sweet spot. It is very difficult to find your "sweet spot"...even for of us banded for a while. It isn't always your fault...don't be too hard on yourself. I hope you find your feet again and wish you the best...

Hey GeorgiaGirl...so glad to hear from you! I blame the markers of the road...I'm "not" directionally challenged...and the way I figure it I ended up doing a 7k - lol I'd looked into the Sleeve but my doctor advised against it. He says that out of all of the WLS out there when revising from Band that it has the highest complication rate and 1 in 4 fail. I've done a lot of research and tend to agree with him. Another one of us banded has had issues as well and Dr. B advised Plicitation which scares the hell out of me. Most insurance companies also see it as experimental. I'd rather chance a revision surgery on a proven surgery not one so new. My new doctor says for me RNY will give me the results I need - all the problems I've had and weight regain the Sleeve (with complicaiton rate) and esophogus issues that I've had are his reasoning. He is a good surgeon and I value his advise - he has been around a long time and has a very good reputation. I'm sorry you've had so many issues as well. A second opinion never hurts...I know many of us have had issues one reason or another. And Others have also been very successful. Everyone is different - and one doctor's opinion isn't always golden. I don't have a facebook account. I had one before my divorce, lets just say I haven't picked it back up. You can always e-mail me....I will try to stay in contact more. Take care of yourself and see a doctor whether it is Dr. B or another...a leakage is a leakage and I think you need to find out why you can't get restriction. Right now your band is useless without it and could end up causing you more problems. Just my opinion. I don't know when my revision/removal will be. I'm still waiting on insurance. Hope to hear something in the next few weeks.

Hey Girl - been a really really long time...I've had a rough time. I've gone and gained all my weight back (long long story) - will have to talk about it later. Long story - lost my benefits with divorce, changed doctors when I moved back home and ended up with GERD issues...got sick and had to have my Fluid removed and believe I have a flipped port again. My doctor can't access it and with the GERD problems - he said the band has to go. We discussed my options and I've opted for RNY (after a lot of soul searching and research). Now just waiting on insurance. I've been sick this week - can't eat or drink anything. Today is the first day in a few days I've kept anything down. Hope you are doing well.. Your long lost sis - Leslie

I've had a hard last two years, year one I did great with my band. I've moved and changed doctor's...and ended up with esophogus issues (dilation and now it isn't working at all), really bad GERD and I have little fluid. The problem is my doctor cannot access my port to take out what little fluid I have in my band (3 in a 10 cc band)...My band has to come out. I'm now waiting for insurance approval for revision to RNY. Hope everyone else out there is doing okay - looks like no one has posted here in quite some time...

Hi Wheetsin, My band too has to come out (was banded April 2008), although not for slippage issues - I've had other complications. I originally requested my surgeon to revise to Sleeve. He told me it has a 1 in 4 failure rate and also to keep in mind that it has the highest complication rate of Band to other WLS Revisions. He said Sleeve wasn't for me - every patient is different though. I'm waiting for RNY insurance approval - has been a hard process for me. I too didn't want the malaborption issues either which is why I wanted the Sleeve, but after talking to my doctor and researching RNY (for me) is the way I'm going. I've gained back all of my weight the band helped me lose plus twenty pounds in the past two years. I know I need the medical assistance and am ready to get the band out and start living my life again. I'm not trying to sway you or anyone else one way or another...just wanted to pass a long the information for you to digest. Best of luck to you.

Hi...im very excited for you...will be relieved when insurance makes decision...do you know your date yet?

Hello all...I too will be a Band to RNY revision. I'm waiting now on insurance approval. I have gained back all of my weight lost along and decided well that cellulite may be lonely , so lets add another 20 pounds to it... I'm glad to find others out there to talk to about these issues. Sometimes the Rose Coloured Glasses mentality can be frustrating...I know the band does work for some, but I unfortunately cannot include myself in those numbers. I look forward to talking to all of you. Leslie

Hi Teri, I haven't had the surgery yet, but I too will be a band to RNY conversion. Congratulations on your weightloss! It is awesome - I agree with you...I too didn't "get along with my band". I guess itially I did, but after about a year I started having complications (other than port revision six weeks out). I hope this board gets up and running, LBT is a good site - hope this one will grow as well. I look forward to chatting with you - I may have tons of questions... Leslie

It has been so long since I've been on these boards...no - "No News isn't always Good News". I posted on another thread about my progress, or lack thereof. If those "oldies" out there will remember - I did really well the first year of being banded. I dropped weight lack a fiend...exercised...even ran a 5k. Then something happened. Life. I ended up going through a nasty divorce, moved back home (in with my parents with my kids), then out on my own. In the process ended up four hours away from Dr. B. and without insurance for over a year. I ended up going back to get my Fluid out in January 2010 when I got pneumonia and esophogus spasms. I had already gained back about 30 pounds of my (around 70) lost. In the next year I ended up meeting a wonderful man, got remarried (never been happier), and gained 50 pounds. So now I'm up 20 pounds from the day I had surgery. Sucks. I had to find a new doctor (no one would take me within 100 miles of where I live). They said sorry we won't accept existing la-band patients. I finally found a doctor two hours from me that was willing to take me on this past November. I was able to get one fill in November (my itial visit) - when I went back in March for my next fill he wasn't able to access my port - it had flipped. So I had to wait until end of June for my insurance to pay for the revision. He was also going to move my port (he thinks it is a bad location in the chest). In the mean time I ended up with Erosion of the Esophogus, and my throat isn't dialating like it should (yep it won't work at all). I have constant port soreness. What's weird though is when I eat I get sharp pains there? I went back to my new doc on Wednesday and after discussing everything it was decided everything has to come out. I'm now waiting for insurance approval. I'm extremely unhealthy and feel the worse I have in my life (physically). Mentally I'm the best I've ever been. My children are doing wonderful, they really like my husband. I'm finally treated like I should be treated...I never knew what I was missing.... As for the future, I'm looking into RNY conversion. After reseraching I believe it will be the best surgery for me. We are all different. Some of us have had great success with the band. I wish I could say I was one of those. I wish you all the best with your journeys. I'll try to keep everyone posted on my successes and failures. Don't be strangers as I have! If you hare struggling or succeding, please post. We all need to hear the good and the bad!

Hello All, I haven't been on here in probably over a year, maybe two. I wanted to post a quick update to let you know how I've been. Band-wise, not so good - I've gained back all my weight plus 20 pounds. I ended up moving back home to Florida and seeing a different doctor. I only found one within 100 miles that would take me on as a patient (which I wasn't happy about). I ended up going through a very nasty divorce three years ago. I had pneumonia a couple of times and ended up getting my fluid out of my band. After that, I couldn't get a good restriction - either was too much or not enough. Didn' help I lost my benefits and insurance - so my follow-up wasn't what it should have been. Needless to say - It hasn't beena smooth ride. I am having to have my band removed now. I have major GERD and esophotus issues. My port has flipped (again), so my doctor can't access my port. He hates it in the chest anyway - says it is dangerous (he is a prior chest surgeon and trama doctor with 30 years experience so I'm not going to question him knowing all the complications I have had). Anyway I'm looking at other WLS options and waiting on my insurance compny. I see many of the old Bandits are struggling too...I also see some are still doing well. I wish you all the best - and do what is right for you. Make sure you follow-up and a 2nd opinion doesn't always hurt...

Hello everyone, I posted a long thread, which I won't repeat on this thread under Band to Sleeve Revisision Thread introducing myself. I'm researching the Sleeve and trying to determine which direction I'll be heading in three weeks. I have to have my port revised, the doctor wants to remove my band and I'm leaning towards getting the Sleeve done (insurance approval pending). I've strugged the past two years with my band to the point I've regained all my weight lost post banding, plus 20 pounds. I do have a wonderful support structure at home (which I didn't have with my band) and want to make an educated choice. I know my doctor wants my band removed...so do I go bandless and stay morbidly obese or move forward with Sleeve revision. I've tried it on my own for twenty years (on and off diet rollercoasters). The band didn't work for me. Will the Sleeve? (I know it is up to me - but I have those nagging doubts). I need the help and advice of those that have been in my situation. Also those who haven't had the band and that have had the Sleeve surgery done. My ears are open :-) Anyone have any regrets? Negatives and Positives? I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you.... Leslie

Thank you for the information...I've made the decision to revise to sleeve...MissDiva and i were banded about the same time so it was nice to see an old friend and familar face...im now waiting to hear from my doctors office (not so patiently might i add lol)

Hello everyone, I was banded in 2008 and did great the first six months to a year. The bad: Ended up going through a really bad divorce, moved (away from my doctor), lost all my benefits, couldn't find a doctor in my new area (moved) to take on existing Lapband patients. To make a long story short - had no follow-up, got unfilled, ate like a fiend (I blame the love of food and stress) and regained all of my weight back plus x (I've lost count). The good: Finally found a doctor that would take me on as an existing patient, am out of an abusive and negigent marriage and ready to take on life. My kids are save and I'm married now to a supportive and loving man. I was so proud of myself my first year banded. I even ran and completed a 5k (which no one showed up for - ex-husband & his family. He wouldn't even bring my kids - which I begged him to do). I finally had my life back. I got down to 219 in November 2010 - my goal was 160. At that point, my weight loss stopped. I found a way to "eat around my band", sliders - soda, everything I knew I shouldn't eat. I'm very much an emotional eater and as my marriage crumbled my weight went up and up...I finally found the strength to leave and doing so left my band "maintenance". To me my children's safety as well as my own were more important than me being fat and unhappy. In the middle of all my marriage problems, I met my soulmate and my current husband. He treats both me and my children as we should be treated. My body is now holding me back from the life I want to lead. I want to be active, I want to be healthy - being 280 pounds is not geting me there. We both have things we want to do. I really don't think I'd be here now if it weren't for my hubby. He gives me strength and supports me 100% in whatever decision I decide to make. Now you've had my personal background...here's my band. I went one time after moving back to my original band doctor - I had pneuomnia and bad reflux - they took out all of my Fluid. Afterward I spend weeks calling every doctor in the panhandle of Florida - time and time again to hear that they won't take on existing patients. I finally found a doctor in Pensacola that agreed to see me. He was able to get me a fill (only 1 cc at a time) back in November 2010. Of course he freaked when he found out my port was in my chest (which is where all my old doctor's patients have it). He wanted to move it but agreed to work with me. I went back in March for my second fill. Seems my port has flipped (again - had original port revised in July 2008 for the same problem) - and he cannot access it. So we decide it is time to move the port for revision. Seems BCBS won't pay for revision until July (pre-existing condition which is nill once my insurance is effect for a year). So I patiently wait. I called back a month ago - still having pain in my chest and reflux. He orders and upper GI to find out what is going on with me. Now he says the band has to go. So now I'm waiting to hear back from his office to see if the insurance will cover the sleeve or removal (they would cover the port revision). I'm terrified not to have my band (which in point is useless to me anyway), but I'm also very nervous about the Sleeve. I'm doing my due dillagence and research to see if it is for me. I'm past ready to start living my life. I don't think the band is for me and feel like such a failure and I don't want to feel like this anymore. I'm sick of tired of being sick and tired.