fabfatgrl

Hi: I've been hanging out on the ObesityHelp VSG forum for over two years now. There are tons of Lap-Band to VSG revisions there... I know of at least 30. The only one I know who is not happy was a Lap-Band to VSG revision at goal... and so her surgeon made her sleeve larger than normal, and she regained. People who have a standard sleeve (32-34 French) seem to be quite happy. They also do not have the food intolerances that many lap-banders with good restriction face. Just ask on the VSG forum.. and people will chime in. (Or search!) Good luck, FFG aka Sami on the VSG forums

I usually do mine on the ankle...with the little velcro thingy. I have noticed that I can accidentally remove it if I brush my leg against something... but that has happened at home. I am thinking of going back to the waist. I have had great results with the Actitrainer customer service, so you might try contacting them. :cursing:

She's pretty much self-weaned now, so I'm not as worried about it as I was about six months ago. That's why I completely unfilled again. I've never been able to tolerate any fill in my Band following my pregnancies, and have been waiting on a revision. Thing is... everytime a revision is planned, I end up getting pregnant. We're thinking about having one more, and I really don't want to go through a pregnancy with any other WLS. As much as my Lap-Band has driven my crazy in the past 7 years (or so), I've been grateful for it when I was preggers. So...I'm hoping that I can do this for a few months and lose a bit of the baby weight before becomign preggers again. I'm also wondering if doing this for a month or two might ease the transition to solids a bit and make it easier. No idea. :thumbup: slimmy.... I did that during my liquids phase...because I hated the protein drinks! :eek:

Sounds like an infection to me... maybe not Band related. I would talk to your primary care provider and see what s/he thinks. It may be beneficial to do a z-pack or something similar.

Hi All: I'm contemplating another fill. My Band has been unfilled for some time. The last time it was filled (only 1 cc), I could not tolerate any solids until late in the afternoon. I couldn't live with that as I was also breastfeeding my daughter. I'm thinking of going back for another fill...knowing that I may have to rely on a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch. Anybody else do this?? I don't think it's something I could do for life... but I'm willing to try it for a month or two and see what happens. Thanks :thumbup:

There are no statistics on those who reach goal (which by I'm assuming you mean a normal BMI... so around 25 or less.) Success in weight loss surgery terms is losing at least 50% of Excess Weight and keeping it off 5 years. The weight loss surgery procedure with the highest percent excess weight loss maintained the longest is the Duodenal Switch. Then comes the Roux-en-Y. Followed by the Lap-Band and VSG. However, with the DS and RNY you have to be much more strict regarding Vitamins and regular blood work. The reasons people do not meet "goal" are wide and varied. Some people cannot tolerate significant fills in their Bands without experiencing a lot of reflux. Others find that their food choices are so limited with significant restriction that they cannot consume a healthful diet. Assuming that it's because "they don't want it enough" is a bit naive. As for long-term Lap-Band success, here's an eleven year study. No doubt some will say... but wait...they weren't doing this or that. I can tell you seven years ago the surgical technique was the same. The dietary advice was the same. Here's a 10 year study... And here's Favretti's 12 year results...

Here you go... Permeability of the silicone membrane in laparosco...[Obes Surg. 2005] - PubMed Result Obes Surg. 2005 May;15(5):624-9.Click here to read Links Permeability of the silicone membrane in laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands has important clinical implications. Dixon JB, O'Brien PE. Australian Centre for Obesity Research and Education, Monash Medical School, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. john.dixon@med.monash.edu.au BACKGROUND: The single most important attribute of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is its adjustability. Having the correct volume of fluid within the band is crucial for optimal performance. We observe a small reduction of the satiety-promoting effect with time. The characteristics and clinical relevance of volume change have not been adequately investigated. METHOD: One observer measured the saline volume within the 10-cm Lap-Band in 118 consecutive patients who fulfilled the entry criteria. The same observer had performed and recorded the previous adjustment. Initial volume, final volume and time between observations provide the data for analysis. In addition, a range of adjustable gastric bands currently available were bench-tested to assess broad applicability of findings. RESULTS: The difference between observations varied from 0.0 ml to -1.0 ml, median of -0.1 interquartile range (IQR) 0.0-0.2 ml. Two factors were associated with volume change: time in days between the observations (r = -0.55, P<0.001) and the initial volume within the band system (r = -0.50, P<0.001). These two independent factors accounted for a significant proportion of the variance observed (Cox and Snell R2 = 0.45, P<0.001). Replacement of any discrepancy appears to maintain effectiveness. All six bands showed similar saline loss when bench-tested. CONCLUSION: Adjustable gastric bands are semipermeable, leading to a small reduction in saline volume with time. Patients should be informed of this effect, attend for regular follow-up visits and seek help if the band's effectiveness appears reduced. We recommend that the volume present should be checked and readjusted at least every 6 months. I don't think Dixon was the first on this. I seem to remember one of the German docs writing on this earlier.

I've never heard that the Band is not for life if one does not have complications. The Band will last long beyond you and me. If you want a more permanent solution without fills, you can look at the sleeve gastrectomy. However, realize that it is not reversible. The portion of your stomach is gone forever.

I had gestational diabetes with all three pregnancies. With my first pregnancy, I gained 15 pounds right away when unfilled, and then gained an additional 50. With my second pregnancy, I gained 30 pounds. With my third pregnancy, I gained 20 pounds. The strange thing is I delivered at the same weight for all three. I guess my body has a sort of pregnancy set-point.

I'm considering a revision to a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy or Duodenal Switch. I hate my Band with a passion. I've lived with it for almost seven years. Even with no fill, I can still PB. It's fine on fluoro, though. I've done the "one more try" at making my Band work probably ten times. I've seen all of the best Lap-Band experts. I'm done. For me, not being able to tolerate any solid food until 4 p.m. with a measly 1 cc in my Band is not a life I want. YMMV, though.

Hi All: I don't hang out on these boards much anymore, but I thought I'd let everybody here know that I've gone through three Lap-Band pregnancies... so I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have. I was unfilled for all three. That was the protocol recommended by my maternal fetal medicine specialist, surgeon, and OB. I realize that some docs choose to leave the fill in, but for me, it wasn't worth risking any sort of nutritional issues for the baby. Also, if I had experienced morning sickness, it could have caused a slip. Similarly, many people vomit during transition in delivery (I did, but had no morning sickness), and that too could cause a slip. Not worth it again. Did I gain weight?? Yes. But after each pregnancy, I lost roughly 40 pounds in a matter of weeks with no effort. The one issue I've had is that I've been unable to tolerate a fill following any of my pregnancies. My last fill I had 4-5 months ago, but had it removed as I couldn't tolerate solids until night and it was too difficult to deal with that and breastfeed my daughter. I've been planning a revision, but am very nervous about undergoing surgery again knowing that I have three small children who need me. I may just decide to get a fill and do medifast or some such thing (blech) to avoid surgery for now. I'm not sure what I'll do. :thumbup:

Contact Dr. Ponce in Dalton... about an hour north of Atlanta. He was one of the FDA trial docs and way back in 2001 was one of the few surgeons in the US willing to work with Mexican Bandsters. Dr. Rumbaut recommended him to me. (Of course, he charged $600 for a fill.) Still, no doubt he would help you.

I totally understand what you're talking about. When I was first banded, when my pouch was full, I was full. But after about 13 or so months, I began to experience my pouch being full, but beneath my band being empty...and I was starving. It's not a unique situation. Lots of doctors will remove your Band. Some will do it for free or 1,000 if you are converting to a different surgery. If it's a plain removal, I'm not sure what the costs would be.

I've skimmed through it in many bookstores. I've been a vegan before, so that was nothing new. Basically it promotes a vegan diet which can be very healthy. But I think the authors should have been more upfront about that. The cursing and attitude was a real turn-off. Salon did a great article on it... http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2008/02/11/skinny_bitch/