VSG Tommy B

Great list. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed. I wish I had a list like this when I had my lapband. I am currently considering a revision to the sleeve and hope to get it sooner rather than later. Thanks again!

Hi everyone, I haven't spoken to my doctor about this yet because I want to have as much information as possible before bringing it up with him. HISTORY: I had a standard lapband implanted in March 2011. At the start of the band process I was 315 lbs and on surgery day I was 276 lbs. I am 6'0" and currently weigh 255 lbs (BMI=34). My lowest weight was 236 lbs a little over a year ago before adopting a baby and buying a business. I got back up to 265 lbs because of the stress of those events (now back into a regular routine of eating the right foods and exercising regularly) plus my doctor removed a lot of the saline from my band because he said I have esophageal dysmotility and an inflamed esophagus due to reflux but I never feel acid indigestion. I just feel inflammation of the esophagus and often feel a lump in my throat. I have been taking nexium or omeprazole 20mg twice a day and the inflammation is a little bit better and the lump gone. My port site is frequently sore like I pulled a muscle and protrudes so much it is visible if I wear a tight shirt and you know what to look for. I recently had an endoscopy and was told that the lapband is fine. There is no slippage, erosion, ulcer or other problem with the band. The doctor took biopsies of the esophagus because of the inflammation. I see the GI doctor on Friday for the biopsy results which I predict will only be caused by acid reflux. The lapband doctor recently (after the endoscopy) added .5 cc to the band (now at 3.5 cc total) because I was able to eat WAY too much without getting full. I can now regularly eat a 12oz prime rib, veggies, salad, some bread and dessert (which is less than before the fill). I also have many days (now and before the fill) when I can't eat 2-3 bites of moist meat without throwing up. A lot of times I throw up (sometimes with the right foods, other times with fiberous foods, bread, Peanut Butter etc) but am still hungry. My doctor is very reluctant to add more Fluid to the band because he thinks it will further aggravate the esophageal dysmotility and inflammation. Although I hate the problems of not being able to eat certain foods that clog the band and make me vomit, I could live with it if I can get more restriction. If I can't get more restriction, I will not lose any more weight and fear I will regain even more weight. I am doing the initial research to determine if the gastric sleeve would be a good choice for me. QUESTIONS: Can I get a sleeve with the esophageal dysmotility and inflammation? Can I qualify for the sleeve (self-pay) with a BMI under 35? My insurance will cover medically necessary band removal, but not weight loss surgery. Any suggestions for getting at least some insurance coverage? Is the feeling of fullness with a sleeve really different than the feeling of the band pouch being full? Can I go back to eating some of the foods (in small quantities) that I can't eat all now without clogging the band? Any suggestions for surgeons in Raleigh, NC in case I decide to switch surgeons? Anything else I need to know? Any other thoughts? ​Thank you all very much. Tom

Thank you both very much. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I forgot a couple of questions: Can a revision be done with the scarless incision process? From the time I decide to get the revision, what are the steps required? Do I need to do all the tests I did before the band? Do I need another psych eval? Another visit with the nutritionist? Any other hoops to jump through? Thanks again, Tom