3636millie2

I had the same issue as you. I had a complete unfill. Continued to not be able to get most things down (including Protein shakes at times). Was accused by my surgeon of not eating right, cheating, etc. Come to find out, I had an adhesion UNDER the band. When they took out the fluids, my stomach opening was still basically swollen shut. I had surgery for the adhesions only 3 months before this episode started. My body just didn't "accept" the band and anywhere the band touched, I developed adhesions. You might want to research "band intolerance". Not sayin you have this but it is worth checking into. Good luck.

It does get better. I am now 5 months post sleeve. My energy is finally back to normal these past few weeks. Mine probably took so long because I work 5 shifts of 14-16 hours a week. Just be sure to take your vitamines as ordered by your surgeon. I also find that if I do not get enough Protein in that I have a really bad time with fatigue. Congratulations on your new sleeve!

Director of Nursing in an Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Have you considered getting the gastric sleeve? Especially since you are self pay. Don't forget that with the band, you will have to pay for fills until you get to your "sweet" spot. You will also need to have follow up EGDs yearly to check for erosions, etc. Lastly, contrary to what some say, the band isn't always "reversable". I spent nearly $40,000.00 after I had the band dealing with the problems that the band caused (this is not including the original surgery which my insurance paid for). I am not trying to scare you but just think about it. The sleeve is the same thing as a partial gastrectomy, which they have been doing for years for other issues such as cancer, severe ulcers, etc. It is considered "experimental" for weight loss because of the "newness" of doing it for weight loss. Kind of like when they use a medication for one thing and then a few years later find out that it helps other diseases than just those that it was approved for. There are many people who I know that have had "partial gastrectomies" for years. The only problem they have is that they are "skinny". Once you get the sleeve, you are done. No going back and paying for "fills". No having multiple surgeries to correct adhesions and other issues caused by the band. No paying for yearly EGDs. No worrying about finding another surgeon to take care of you and do the fills if you move away or your surgeon decides to "retire" or close his practice. I could go on and on but I won't. As I said, I'm not trying to scare you or piss on your parade so to speak. Just giving you something to think about. This is especially true since you are self pay. Just trying to let you know that there is a cheaper, safer way to achieve weight loss through surgery. Just go to verticlesleevetalk.com and obesityhelp.com to the revision sections/complications section and read, read, read, read before you have your surgery.

I had revision from band to gastric sleeve in Mexico. I had the best care there. Actually the care I received there was better than I've ever received in the U.S., England, The Middle East, Singapore. I would go back to Mexico in a heart beat. You just have to be very careful about who you choose. Do your research. I've worked in hospitals all over the world and my experience in Mexico was fantastic. The surgeon I used is in the top 5 physicians I've ever met in skill and knowledge.

The adhesions were found by exploratory laparoscopy the first time. The second time was when I had the revision to the sleeve. It took about 3 times longer than most revisions due to the horrible adhesions that I had. The adhesions were pretty much anywhere any part of the band, port, and tubing touched. If you read all my previous postings, you will see what all happened during the time I had my band. DO NOT ever let any bariatric surgeon convince you that you are having problems from being non-compliant. I followed all the band "rules" to a "T". Nothing you will ever do will control formation of adhesions. It is not because you aren't eating like you should, not following the rules of chew, chew, chewing, etc. This is a condition called "band intolerance". There isn't alot of information on it (or at least when I was researching it). There may be more info now as more and more people are developing the same problems. I haven't read/done much with the band as I had the revision to sleeve in 12/09. Good luck and I hope you get some answers soon.

I am so sorry for you and the problems you are having. I have several comments: I had the LAP-BAND®®® and it nearly killed me. All went well for about the first 9 months, then all hell broke loose, so to speak. I developed adhesions, had surgery for them. Then a few months later, developed the same symptoms. Went to the surgeon who placed the band. Was blown off like I was crazy and told "you should be happy with the weight you've lost (went to him due to vomiting and inability to keep anything down). Left his office and continued to vomit and not keep anything down. Survived several more months by getting IV fluids every other day or so that were ordered by Anesthesiologists that I work with. I tried Doctors in 3 different states and no one would take me due to the "liability". Guess where I ended up going? TO Mexico. I saw one of the best bariatric surgeons in the world there. He literally travels around the world precepting other bariatric surgeons. He saved my life. I now have the gastric sleeve and am living a normal life. I had severe adhesions once again. These were found during my revision. They were everywhere in my abdomen that the port, tubing, and band touched. In fact, I had an adhesion form under the band (between band and stomach). THAT was why nothing would go down and I was vomiting even completely unfilled. When your surgeon told you that only people who go to Mexico have trouble with their band, he out and out lied to you. I have lived in many other countires of the world and worked in hospitals in those countries. I had the best care in Mexico that I've ever had anywhere. I AM VERY HARD TO PLEASE. If you are having trouble with the band, you may want to consider self pay and go to Mexico. It cost me less for the revision than my deductible would have been with my insurance. Yes, I had insurance that would cover the surgery but CHOSE to self pay so that I would have one of the best surgeons in the world take care of the "problem" caused by the band and my AMERICAN surgeon. Good luck to you and hopefully, you will get some resolution to your problem. P.S. I did not use the surgeon that you will see if you run your curser over Mexico, Mexicali, etc. in this post. That is just Jerusalem Clinic's way of ripping off everyone elses patients. I used Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. As stated above, I have worked in many hospitals all over the world and with thousands of physicians. Dr. Aceves is definately in the top 5 best surgeons I have ever met. And no, I am not a "troll, or paid poster". Just a very happy customer

No I didn't have my sleeve in Yuma. I went to Mexicali and had it done. I have worked in hospitals around the world. I, along with all my staff went to Mexicali and checked it out before I went. We were even allowed to wander around the hosptial and literally do the "white glove test". I had no hesitation about having my surgery done there and I am VERY hard to please. The surgeon who did my sleeve was Dr. Aceves. I have NEVER had better care anywhere. This was after being nearly killed by the surgeons in Phoenix who did my band because they wouldn't listen to me that something was wrong. I had the revision from band to sleeve for $12,500. This price included everything. The surgeons were in to see me after surgery 4-6 times daily. The nurses were fantastic. I would go back in a heartbeat. In fact, if any of my family or friends were to have the surgery, Dr. Aceves would be the only one I would let do it. He has more experience that most of the U.S. surgeons. He serves as preceptors for surgeons in other countries. Hope this helps!

There are quite a few bandsters in Yuma. There are 2 where I work. I had the band but converted to the sleeve (yea, there were 3 of us). There are people from several surgeons who attend the meeting at the corporate center mentioned in one of the above posts. From what I hear, these meetings are helpful and a good place to meet others who have had the band. Good luck.

I started out with the LAP-BAND®. What a mistake if money is an issue. I have ended up spending about $50,000 out of pocket for problems associated with the LAP-BAND®. I even had insurance that paid for the initial implantation of the band. I can honestly say, the band nearly killed me. In December, I self paid for the gastric sleeve. Believe it or not, my insurance would not pay to have the revision. They even stated in the letter they sent that I needed to have the band removed immediately due to all the problems. They would not however, pay for revision to something else. I ended up going to Mexico. I am Director of Nursing at an outpatient surgery center. I have been a nursing supervisor in hospitals all over the world. I can honestly say that the surgeon and care that I received in Mexico was better than any care I have ever received in the U.S. or in Europe. The surgeon I used has a world wide reputation for excellent work. I paid $12,500 for my revision from band to sleeve. This included everything. Please, before deciding to get the Band, go to the sleeve forum on Obesity Help and read how happy people are with the sleeve. There is also a section there dealing with revisions. Many of the revisions are those who are having problems with the band. I will say that the sleeve has been wonderful for me. Once you get the sleeve, that is it. No shelling out money for fills, etc. They have been doing the sleeve for years. It is the same thing that they have been using to treat stomach issues for years. It is the same thing as a gastrectomy. I know people who are years post op gastrectromy and the only thing they are is "skinny". Just want you to be aware that there are other options available besides the band. Good luck in your journey.

So sorry to hear of your difficulties. I started out with the LAP-BAND®®. All was great for the first 9 months. Then, it was all down hill. I spent the last 6 months of band life unfilled and still unable to get most things down. The surgeons and anesthesiologists I work with would write for me to have IV fluids 2-3 times a week just to keep me going until I could get the band paid off. It is a real long story. Anyhow......... In December, I revised to the gastric sleeve (after having several surgeries as a result of the band). It is like night and day. Wish I'd been smart enough to start out with the sleeve. I feel great. The weight is literally melting off. I am never hungry. I feel like a human being now. In my opinion, the band should be outlawed. Contrary to what everyone is told, the band isn't "reversable", did major damage to my stomach and everywhere the tube going to the port touched. Go to the sleeve site on Obesity Help to read the many stories of those who have revised from the band to the sleeve. It will help you see why so many people are revising. Good luck with what ever you decide.

I had the exact same problem that you had.. I received the band in May of 08. In Feb 09 I developed severe problems with the band. Had emergency surgery where they did lysis of adhesions. I attempted to get fills, went a couple of months with just a few mls of Fluid in the band. Started in again with the severe problems. Went back to the surgeons in Phoenix. They just blew me off. I continued to vomit, be unable to even get Protein shakes in. Was surviving on IV fluids that the Anesthesiologists I worked with would write the prescription for and about 2 Protein Shakes per day. Could occassionally get other slider foods in (ie melted ice cream, hot coffee with lots of cream, sugar in, etc). The whole time I was trying to get another surgeon in the U.S. to see me. OH HELL NO. No one would see me because of the "liability". Finally after much research, I found a surgeon who literally saved my life in Mexicali. I revised from the band to the sleeve. During the sleeve surgery it was discovered that I had severe adhesions around every piece of the band (port, tubing, band itself). What was causing the problem was that I had adhesions underneath the band. Not saying that this is what is wrong with you but...... there are people who are "band intolerant". Please research this phenomena.

Yes, I had this and yes, it was from the band. Please look up my posts for other problems with the band. Well, I just solved it all. Had the sleeve done on 12/19/09. Even though I am 2 weeks post-op, I feel better now than I have in the past year. The band was a miserable experience for me. And for all the nay sayers who think it was because I did not take care of the band, BULL CHET. I followed all the rules to a "T". Anyway, I digress. Please do not suffer with this pain. I had a complete unfill for about 2 months before revision and the back pain still did not go away. It was from all the scaring from the band. My revision was longer than expected due to all the scaring and adhesions. This is in spite of the lysis of adhesion surgery I underwent in Feb of 09. You may have what is called band intolerance. You do not have to live in misery. Just saying...............

Try mixing it with Tostito's brand of Creamy Spinach Dip (usually can be found back in the chips isle in the grocery store). It is 50 cal for 2 TBSP and only 2 gm carbs. Works great with both tuna and chicken. I get the small cans of meat that hold about 1/4 cup and mix with the dip. Also put in a few pieces of low fat cheese. Mix it all up and am good to go with a nice high protein low cal meal.

Ohhhh...Hell yes!!!! I swear to god. I don't know where it all comes from. Honestly, I share an office with the Medical Director of our surgery center and I swear, if he comes in to sit at his desk, I am afraid to even get up with out fear of blowing him off his chair!!!!!! When I get home from work and climb out of my truck to go into my condo, I swear to you that all my neighbors run cause it is a non stop fart until I get in my door. Good thing too as if I waited to do it till I got inside all my windows and doors would probably blow out. I have tried about everything and nothing seems to help.

I had my band placed in May of 2008. I did well until Feb of this year when I had surgery for adhesions. Since then I have had nothing but trouble. I followed all the rules (yes, I chew, chew, chew; take small bites; etc, any thing I could do to make it work). I managed to loose 85 pounds by Feb. Since then I will get a fill, then an unfill, then a fill then an unfill, etc. I have barium swallows with follow through which show I am not too tight. I have lost an additional 10-15 pounds since Feb while banded. Then go for 1 ml unfill or so then gain the weight back cause I can eat anything and everything (not really controlling myself now as I am so discouraged). I just have 4.5 ml in a 10 ml band. I was happy with the band at first but now hate it. I am one of those people who has trouble "plugging up" at that time of month and when I am under alot of stress (which is frequent with my job). As soon as I can save the money, I will be getting the sleeve. My insurance will pay for a revision but not if I do it with the surgery being done in Mexico, which is what I plan on doing since they have more experience with the sleeve than here in the U.S. It is practically the same thing as a partial gastrectomy so to speak. They have been doing partial gastrectomy surgeries in the U.S. for years. I feel comfortable going for the sleeve. I am just tired of dealing with band issues. It has taken over my life. Guess my long term success for the band wasn't so good.

I mix one scoop of the chocolate Unjury, 1 cup of skim milk, 1 tsp instant decaf coffee granules, 1 tsp of any flavor of the General Mills International flavor sugar free coffee (I like French Vanilla or the Hazelnut) powder, and a handfull of crushed ice. I blend it well in my Magic Bullet. OHHHH Sh...t!!!!!!! It is so good. When I really want to go "wild", I'll put a little malt powder in it to make an awesome "malt". This has 30 grams of protein in it and is less than 200 calories (if my calculations are correct). Just experiment with the amount of coffee granules, etc to get it to your liking.

Has anyone been told before having your lapband implantation surgery that no other lap band surgeon will touch you if you move, have problems, have a surgeon who will not listen to you when you are having issues, live in one state part of the year and another state for part of the year, etc? Am I wrong in feeling as though this should be brought up in the "seminars" that you go to prior to the surgeon accepting you as a patient? I had my band placed in May 2008. In Feb of this year I developed problems, had surgery for lysis of adhesions. I have been slowly getting my band refilled. Have not even gotten to the fill level I had before surgery. Now having the same issues as pre surgery. Went to my surgeon. He would not even listen to my symptoms. Just demanded I put my purse down and get up on the table to have an unfill as he was making the statement that I should be happy that I have lost 85 lbs (didn't even bother to look at my barium swallow with follow through that my family physician had ordered until after he had taken 1 ml out of my band-which by the way did show that I was not too tight). That was almost 2 weeks ago. I continue to have the same problems (severe pain with eating, several days a week not even able to get Protein shakes down, etc) only now much worse. I also have severe burinig throughout my abdominal area tht isn't relieved by Previcid in the AM, Pepcid in the PM and drinking Mylanta every 2 hours. I have tried to get an appointment with 5 different lap band surgeons for a second opinion as I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER want to go back to my original surgeon. Oh, I forgot to mention that the lap band surgeon I saw was just currently censured by the state board of medical examiners for not apparently listening to a patient in the past. I am a Director of Nursing at an outpatient surgical center. I was finally able to call in a few favors and will be seeing one of the general surgeons that works in our facility (I was hoping to not have to do this as I think it is unprofessional to "call in favors") today as he thinks I have an erosion and the diffuse abdominal pain is caused by leakage of the stomach contents into my abdomen. My point is....... All potential lap band patients should be informed before they commit to having surgery that once they have chosen their surgeon, they will basically never be able to see a different lap band surgeon. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have had the lap band done and would have instead chosen to have the sleeve. Thanks to all for listening to my rant...........Wish me luck for today. Thanks.

I just want to thank everybody for your words of encouragement. You are all a great support for those of us having issues. Well, after seeing the general surgeon/friend it was determined that I have a slight slippage of my band with irritation to my GI tract and that I have major swelling around the band along with diverticulitis (I had told him that there was one day when the only thing that would go down was gatorade and popcorn-yea I know i shouldn't have eaten it but I was desperate). Between the 2 of us and several other nurses who were helping the surgeon, I was able to talk him through how to do an unfill in case it needed to be done while I was still under the influence of the sedation from the exam. He did end up doing an unfill. Said he couldn't see any erosion but that didn't mean that there wasn't the start of one since it was really swollen and he was having trouble seeing. He elected not to do a back view exam (looking up from underneath the band while in the area) which I knew in advance he wouldn't do as he is not a lap band surgeon and was feeling uncomfortable even doing what he was doing. Hopefully, this unfill will correct the slight slippage. It will also buy me time to continue to hopefully heal the diverticulitis and then either get a lapband surgeon who will see me or go to Mexico and see Dr. Aceves as there are several nurses I am familiar with who have used him and have nothing but high praise for him. I will definately try to convert to a sleeve as soon as possible as I never want to have to feel like I owe my entire well being to an a.. hole again. At this point in time, I am not proud to even admit that I am part of the medical profession. If there are any surgeons reading this: YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO YOUR PATIENT. THEY ARE AWARE OF THEIR BODY AND KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG. YOU MAY SAVE YOURSELF A LAWSUIT BUY JUST LISTENING FOR A FEW MIN. THERE IS NO ONE THAT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT THEY CAN'T TAKE PROPER CARE OF THEIR PATIENT. PATIENT'S ARE NOT STUPID AND WHEN YOU ARE BEING PAID TO TAKE CARE OF THEM, YOU NEED TO LISTEN.

After care is one of the biggest "dirty little secrets" about getting a lapband. Good luck finding anyone to take care of you if you move, have the bad luck to get a "know it all surgeon" who will not listen to you when you start having problems with the band, etc. I literally have called surgeons in 3 different states and not one will take me as a patient. I am a travel nurse. No one told me I would be joined to my surgeons hip for the rest of my life if I want a fill or develop problems with the lapband. I was never told before surgery that no one would see me except for the surgeon who did my operation if any problems develop. If I had it to do over again, I would have went with the sleeve.

First a very brief, quick run down of what has happened: I was banded on 5/22/08 by Tempe AZ surgeons. Was doing well until the first of this year (had had one unfill after chewing a medication that should never had been chewed, developed swelling, etc). Had surgery on Feb of this year for adhesions (was having pain in the epigastric area like someone had punched me in the abdomen every time I swallowed something and it would round the curve at the back of my throat. Started getting the band refilled gradually (was unfilled for the surgery). I do not even have the amount in the band that I had before surgery and am once again having problems eating. Approximately 4 weeks ago had an episode of vomiting over a "life issue" with resultant swelling, etc. This lasted 2 weeks. During this time I had a barium swallow with follow through that showed that I was having espopageal spasms and that the band was not too tight. Then I was able to eat normally for 1 wk. Then, one week ago, I awoke with SEVERE hiccoughs. Couldn't eat anything afterwards and for a few days couldn't even get Protein shakes down. Went to see the surgeon yesterday and here was the response: "You should be happy that you have lost over 80 pounds. You need to diet and exercise (I wrote on their questionnaire that I hadn't exercised-didn't think I needed to when I couldn't eat anything. I normally walk 2 miles per day and ride a bike 5-10 miles per day but answered the question as to what I was currently doing)". During this time I was trying to tell him what had been happening but HE WOULD NOT LISTEN. He just took out 1 ml of Fluid and acted like I had no business bothering him and was an inconvenience. I'm currently at 209 lbs and am 5 ft 9 in. I feel like this was totally inappropriate, and that he was basically telling me that I should make due with abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc and that I was a whiner. I also felt like this was him telling me that I had gotten all of the benefit from the band that I was going to so just quit bothering him. Couldn't answer me when I asked him why these symptoms were happening or what I could do to help with the pain. I only have 4.5 ml in a 10 ml band and when I am feeling good can eat anything I want without difficulty or restriction. This same office has shared my personel infomation with my supervisor who has also had the banding done by them. In fact, my supervisor knew all about the results of my exploratory laparoscopy and adhesion removal after she went to the office for a fill a week after my surgery. Today, after the 1 ml unfill, I am still nauseated, having the abdominal pain, having diarrhea, etc. Still not really able to eat anything although having no problems getting Water down. Now for my delimma: I don't ever want to see these surgeons again. However, there aren't many lap band surgeons who will see a patient who has surgery done by someone else. Does anyone know of a lap band surgeon in the Phoenix/Tempe/Mesa/Tucson area that will take a patient of another surgeon for follow up? My family physician does not really want to take over managing my band and feels that the problems I'm having are lap band problems in nature. I really need to see someone fairly soon but don't really know of any other surgeons who will take over another lap band surgeon's patient. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am getting weaker every day. Thanks to all who offer guidance in advance. Millie

OH MY GOD... YES, YES, YES I have experienced these spasms. Let me tell you my story: I was banded on 5/22/08. Was doing great until February of this year. About 8 weeks after I had had a fill (was thinking of going for another as I was eating anything and everything) I awoke one night with severe chest pain radiationg into my neck, down my arms, vomiting, was diaphoretic (cold sweats), and feeling like I was dying. Went to the local emergency room. Had full diagnostic work up with some EKG changes though not enough to cause the pain I had. Was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Well...from the vomiting with the chest pain I developed swelling to the band area. Went to my Lap-Band surgeon expecting just a small unfill to get back on track. He unfilled me immediately (didn't listen to what I had to say as to what I think had happened to cause the pain-I was thinking esophageal spasm as a Donnatal coctail eased my chest pain in the E.R.) and decided to take me to surgery for a diagnostic laparoscopy. Well, that was normal. He did do some lysis of adhesions. Anyway, I have been going back for gradual refills. The last time I went for a fill was about 5 weeks ago. Well, 2 weeks ago I had a really bad incident happen (life incident so to speak-was involved in a really bad accident where my car was totalled but I was not hurt) and vomited due to the stress. Well, since that time I can't eat without severe pain. This pain occurred just as soon as the first bite would round my throat on the way down to my stomach. Hadn't even reached my stomach. Well, after the spasm, I couldn't eat as every bite I tried would lead to a spasm. Went to my family doctor who told me to use nitroglycerine 5 min before I eat-I can't do this as my blood pressure is normally only about 110 on a good day. When I take the nitro I feel like passing out as it lowers my blood pressure. The family doctor did give me some very mild "nerve" pills to take if something bad happens again to prevent vomiting in the first place. Anyway, I continued to have the horrible, severe spasms until I got the bright idea to drink some hot Water or tea just prior to eating and then eat with a warm pack (one of those cloth bags filled with dry Beans or rice warmed up in a microwave) on my chest. Now I can eat with no pain. I am able to eat like I should. I know my band isn't too tight because I have just had a barium swallow which I am awaiting results on but the radiologist did say that the band was not too tight. The warmth of the hot drink and the warm pack keeps the inital spasm from happening and starting a viscious circle. I have been able to eat for the last 2 days like this and feel like I'm on the road to recovery, so to speak. Hope this helps. It is too bad that Docotors don't listen to their band patients and take it from there. I feel as though I had an un-needed surgery and other tests done because they wouldn't listen. Millie

I was diagnosed with carcinoid about 3 years ago based on lab abnormalities that keep increasing. I have had thorough diagnostic work ups every year since. They can not find the tumor yet (have total body scans, etc). I had the lap band surgery about 10 months ago with full knowledge of all my physicians. I did it because I wanted to get into the best physical condition possible in case the worst case scenario presents itself. If and when the tumor does show up and I need further treatment, the fluid can be removed from the band and I will be back to "normal". Hope this helps with your delimma.

I have a friend who is a nurse in a cardiac cath lab. I was freaking because I have had chest pain with EKG changes 8 months post banding. I just had my stress test and am fully expecting to have to go through the cardiac cath when I get my results this next week. The friend who is a nurse told me not to worry that alot of stress tests come back positive on "big breasted" women. Hoping this is true in my case.