Lapbandster

Hi all! Soooo my story started a few years ago (I think 6). I was morbidly obese and felt disgusting. HW was about 244 lbs (and I'm only 5 feet tall!!). I didn't have the willpower to lose ALL that weight on my own and began to realize that I needed help. My mother had RNY a few years earlier and, while she DID lose like 75% of her excess weight, she never looked healthy to me. She suffered with anemia and vitamin deficiency, never worked out, had very saggy skin etc. When deciding on a bariatric prodecure I felt attracted to the lap band due to its reversability and low operating risks. The first surgeon I went to was VERY pro the LB- in fact I think he only performed this procedure. The second surgeon I consulted with was vehemently against the band and strongly advised me against it. This was years ago when then "anti band" sentiment was just starting. I ultimately decided on the lap band because I'm a nervous person in general and wanted the "easiest", lowest risk, and most reversable procedure performed. The surgery went well and there were no problems. I was able to go back to work within a day or two. I've heard some people say they have a "love hate relationship" with the band. For me it was a "want to love, yet fear relationship" meaning I WANTED so BADLY for the band to work. But I was constantly afraid of it slipping... Or eroding.. Or food getting stuck (in public!) ... Or suddenly feeling tight when traveling and I didn't have access to a doctor... Or not being able to afford the fills and fluoroscopys... Esaphageal dysmotility, distended pouch... Etc. My doctor had a strange way of doing fills. Unlike using fluoroscopys to help me find my "sweet spot" he would just put in the needle, fill the band, have me sit up, chug water, and then release some fluid. Once I felt the water go down he would remove the needle and tell me that im in the perfect zone. Boy did that cause issues! Getting lukewarm sink water down is simple... But getting in proteins and/or veggies down was much harder! I was constantly running back and forth to the doctor for fills/unfills (which wasn't cheap or easy! He was located 1.5 hours away from me and fills we're $50 plus insurance copay. So i was constantly taking off a half day of work and shelling out $80 for this.) When I'd see him he was thrilled! After all, I WAS losing weight... And getting fitter... But it sadly it had nothing to do with the band. I was just too ashamed to admit it. Rather, I worked out every day, ate under 1200 calories/day, and carb cycled. I was on a mission to prove to the world that I COULD lose weight, and that I didn't get cut up and have a foreign object placed in me for nothing. It was sad for me, and I really did feel alone... But I made it work and got used to chewing my food up a ton, taking tiny bites, drinking a lot to get the food down. I went from 244 to 178 and was happy. I was far from skinny... But I really felt good. Fast forward about 5 years!!... I got married, moved to NY and mostly forgot about my band. I actually gained some weight back after the wedding, but started Medifast/optavia and lost 40 lbs. I was good... Until the heartburn started. My previous doctor warned that any heartburn can either be the symptom OR cause of a slipped band. I went to a new NY surgeon the next day to get all the fluid removed. A day later I felt mostly better but still tight. Foods were getting stuck and being that there was no fluid in there I was nervous. Bands that are too tight can cause a slip. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and when I asked my surgeon what happens if the band slips/erodes during pregnancy, she just said "things can get complicated and more risky for both you and the fetus" That's when i just realized that I'd HAD IT WITH THE BAND!! I could no longer live with device that caused me so much stress, fear, and didn't even work in the first place!! (that night I went to a wedding and took a bite of chicken which got stuck and had me dashing to the bathroom and vomiting. This was simply no way to live, yet a common occurrence for me). Long story short, today I got my band removed and I FEEL SO RELIEVED! I am in practically zero pain and feel like a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders. I'll do another post about the removal process because this is already wayyyyy too long!! TLDR: Didn't have any MAJOR complications with the band, but very relieved to have it removed! It may be a less risky, reversable procedure on the outset, but the long term risks of complications are fairly high and can be nerve racking. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey everyone! Haven't been around here in a while (mainly because I couldn't stand the negativity- But that's a whole other topic for a different time ) Just wondering out of curiosity- Do any of you have weight loss surgeons that are morbidly Obese? I have seen two surgeons (one did my LB surgery and the other one i switched to recently because he's closer to where I live so he has been doing my fills) and both of them are morbidly obese! I don't judge at all, I just find it sort of funny!

Yes, thankfully. I still had the deductible, co-pays, and coinsurance though. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yep NYU is exceptional in every way. Dr fieldings office is really amazing You're in amazing hands! Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

By the way, you mentioned your surgeon has the band... I assume you used Dr. Fielding? I hear amazing stories about him and his practice. I think his patients success rates are exponentially higher than average because he has such intimate firsthand knowledge of the band. Even if your surgeon isn't Dr fielding, any surgeon who's had this procedure understands it better and therefore his patients have better outcomes. In any event, don't worry at all! Maybe reach out to some of the "old timers" on here and see if you guys can make a whatsapp group together so you can keep in touch without the negativity. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yikes that is awful. I remember a few years ago there was a lady spamming every post with awfulness. It stressed me out terribly, to be honest Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is a very good point! Every story is different and people come here having lap band meltdowns without giving the whole picture. Were they banded properly? Did they have good follow up care? Did they follow their doctors instructions? Did they have the older problematic band put it? There are many factors that can cause lap band complications, so please just realize that it's best to take these posts with a grain of salt and realize that their situation is not necessarily "proof" that "you made a mistake" Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I don't think anyone is saying that you'll fail eventually or that you made the wrong choice. The OP asked a question and were all telling her our experience with the band. She asked and we answered. I understand what you're saying though--that this forum seems to be all band bashing... It sure feels that way sometimes! My doctor would always tell me to stop reading others stories on the internet and focus on ME and if I have any issues or concerns to speak to him directly. He also held support group meetings monthly for his patients. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm not having reflux in terms of acid coming up, but I still feel like 50% restriction where the band used to be. Yesterday I threw up twice from it [emoji24] I think this type of stuff (as well as as reflux) goes away eventually, as the scar tissue from where band used to be eventually breaks down. At least that's what my doc says! Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Wow, I guess things have changed a whole lot. 6 years ago this was a surgery for weight LOSS and not weight MAINTENANCE. In fact insurance wouldn't even approve it unless BMI was high enough, and most surgeons wouldn't install it unless the person had 60+ lbs to lose.

As others have said, the band is no longer the "miracle tool" it was once thought to be. In recent years it has been understood that 1/10 of bandsters will experience SEVERE complications and need it removed eventually (usually as an emergency surgery, which is scary). I am not talking about mild things like a slight slip, or some tightness and reflux... I am referring to erosion into the stomach, permanent damage to the esophagus (in the form of gastroparesis), phrenic nerve damage, vagus nerve damage... It all comes down to this one question: Do you want to be constantly worrying about this 10+ years down the line? Yes, this surgery is "reversible" and it's the least risky option at the OUTSET... but unlike with other WLS's the complication risk INCREASES the longer you are banded. Also, I don't know what your insurance situation is, but remember that for the health of your band, you will need to constantly be seeing your doctor/getting fills/barium swallow tests, etc. - this can add up very quickly - and that's with NO complications.

Yes exactly, For me, the barium swallow exam showed zero problems and I was worried that insurance wouldn't cover removal since "everything looked perfect". But then I told the doc that I was feeling discomfort, tightness, throwing up at times, and had some reflux. Insurance covered it and I am so relieved. Having the band removed has been the best thing I've done in many years. I literally feel like I'm walking on clouds! Such a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

That makes no sense to me. If you have had "years of complications" and the doctor recommends this, then insurance should cover it (slip or not!) You will need your doctors office submit the necessary authorization forms to your insurance company with the proper codes

Wow what a saga! I'm glad to hear the band is out and that chapter in your life is over. What an experience! Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Dr. Fielding? Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Sometimes my band aches a bit when I push my stomach around it. I always thought it was normal lol Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey everyone! I haven't posted in a while but I got my Lapband about 3 years ago. Needed to lose about 100 lbs and at one point lost almost 70. Recently I have gained some weight, and although still down 50 lbs since presurgery, I still feel like my lapband is failing me BIG TIME. First of all, I never ever felt what other people have described as the "sweet spot" of restriction. I felt the same hunger i've always felt and could get everything down. Still, determined not to fail, I carb cycled, worked out like a beast and lost the weight. I kept asking myself if the band was worth it, but felt that i would still do it again if I had to choose. If nothing else, it was an internal reminder to get my act together!! It is now 3 years later, however, and suddenly, a week ago I felt reflux... I didn't feel tight (everything would go down) but there was definitely burning in my chest. I emailed my surgeon who told me to come immediately. He was upset that I gained some weight and said that my band was likely too tight. He removed 0.3 cc's (or was it 3.0 cc's??) and sent me home after making me promise that I would keep him updated on my heartburn. (he made sure i was able to chug down a full cup of Water with no difficulties before sending me home, which I had no problem doing. it went straight down) The next day I continued to feel heartburn and he emailed him immediately. I told him I want a COMPLETE unfill and then we'll slowly scale up from there. He found that acceptable and also said it might be a good idea to even get some xrays of the band Suddenly I am nervous- after a quick google search on lapband heartburn it led me to horror stories about lapband removals. it is clear to me that it is NOT such a simple procedure- there seems to be much greater complication risk, scar tissue buildup around the band, and many many people still feel restriction post band removal. It started to make me feel like this band is poisonous and will destroy my body. Sorry to sound all dramatic but you should see what people are writing! sheesh! I know I have to take all things found on the internet with a grain of salt, but I am legitimately horrified I just feel like I want this thing out of me before it causes me more damage, and especially since I have never seen any real positive effect. Now there is only negative effect (the heartburn/reflux) Am I totally nuts?!?! And advice/replies would be really appreciated PS, aside from the heartburn this lapband always leaves me with a nagging feeling, for example everytime I travel there's this little voice in my head wondering what I will do if it slips/gets too tight. Does everyone feel this way? Or am I the only neurotic nut??!!

Hey guys! I've been perusing these forums more and more lately and I've noticed something disturbing: that anyone who's been banded for a while has had some complication or another- either a slipped band, an erosion, a flipped port, a leak etc... I bet this is just my imagination, but I'd love to hear from old bandsters who have NOT had any complications with their band Thanks!

If he is unable or unwilling to change his eating behaviors then certainly he should get the band removed. He is at major risk of a slip/pouch dilation/esophageal problems. The band is no longer considered safe as long as a patient is not compliant And on top of that he seems to be miserable with it. I know foot addiction is a tough thing to watch, but I don't think keeping the lapband is a solution Just my .02 Hope everything goes well!

Your not his mother and your not his doctor. Your his girlfriend, it's your job to be supportive of what he chooses to do with his body

The bright side is that you had immediate relief after surgery! That does not seem to always be the case. And yes, why fills are $150 is beyond my comprehension. Really does seem excessive

Thanks for sharing! Are you doing well now? Have you had any permanent effects from the lapband even after the removal? I am asking because I just may be in the same position as you and need a removal. So devastating! And yeah, no one understands the emotional roller coaster tied into this

Revisions cannot always be done at the same time. It depends how badly the bands damaged your stomach

Thanks for the update! Not sure whats scarier: The symptoms you described, or the Dr. thinking it's unrelated to the lapband

Keep us posted on how the surgery goes!