susan42

Hello- looking for an experienced vsg surgeon in south dakota- any suggestions??

Hi Heather- I have been reading this post and wanted to say that I hear your dilema. I was first banded in 2006 and it worked like a charm. I was very happy and lost weight...until........I started having reflux like I couldn't believe!! I was waking up in the middle of the night and I couldn't catch my breath! My throat was burning! It was aweful! Finally after having fluid removed little by little I had an xray that revealed a slip. First step was to remove all the fluid to see if band would move itself back. It didn't. That was the beginning of my dreaded weight gain! The dr.'s answer was to give me a new band. In 2009 I got new band and things just haven't been the same. It's not the same band, but supposedly a new & improved band. I just know its a bigger band that has taken a lot more adjustments for fills. (Funny at the time of getting second band my dr. mentioned a sleeve, but I had no idea what it was) I have gained almost all of my weight back and I am totally discourage & depressed by my new band. I am seriously considering talking to my dr. about a sleeve. From what I gather it people seem to be really happy with it. I am sure there are some drawbacks, although I haven't heard any of them. But keep talking to your doctor and others. Take your time in making your decision then you can be sure you will make the best decision for you! I wish you the best of luck & keep us posted!

Greetings everyone! I just wanted to share my experience. I was banded first time in 2006 with a 4cc band. Everything went well aside from sliming, food getting stuck & vomiting. I figured this was just the price to pay to finally be able to lose weight once & for all. I lost 50 lbs (not quite goal) but I was so happy to lose weight successfully. At my lowest weight I started having horrible reflux at night. I would wake up choking on burning stomach acid (sorry for the gross factor). It was not only painful, but scary. Apparently my band had slipped. From what I understand this is common for the 4cc band. So the process of removal of fluid over months began until I had no restriction. The hope was the the band would correct itself which it did not. The decision was a new band. I got a 10cc band a little over a year ago and have since gained all of my weight back!!! I can't begin to tell you how discouraging this has been. I know that it isn't totally the band to blame because as my disappointment in my new band grew I stopped exercising and ate "bad" foods. Since may 2009 I have had several fills. At one point I was too restricted and could barely keep anything down. For some reason I cannot find the sweet spot with this new band like I did with the old one. I go in for yet another fill and I am going to talk to dr. about a sleeve. My insurance has been very good about everything so far, but we know how insurance companies are ;0. I know that there isn't a perfect surgery, but from what I can tell the sleeve offers the benefits of a band yet without complications of bypass (which I would never consider). Thanks for listening!!:thumbup:

Greetings everyone! I just wanted to share my experience. I was banded first time in 2006 with a 4cc band. Everything went well aside from sliming, food getting stuck & vomiting. I figured this was just the price to pay to finally be able to lose weight once & for all. I lost 50 lbs (not quite goal) but I was so happy to lose weight successfully. At my lowest weight I started having horrible reflux at night. I would wake up choking on burning stomach acid (sorry for the gross factor). It was not only painful, but scary. Apparently my band had slipped. From what I understand this is common for the 4cc band. So the process of removal of fluid over months began until I had no restriction. The hope was the the band would correct itself which it did not. The decision was a new band. I got a 10cc band a little over a year ago and have since gained all of my weight back!!! I can't begin to tell you how discouraging this has been. I know that it isn't totally the band to blame because as my disappointment in my new band grew I stopped exercising and ate "bad" foods. Since may 2009 I have had several fills. At one point I was too restricted and could barely keep anything down. For some reason I cannot find the sweet spot with this new band like I did with the old one. I go in for yet another fill and I am going to talk to dr. about a sleeve. My insurance has been very good about everything so far, but we know how insurance companies are ;0. I know that there isn't a perfect surgery, but from what I can tell the sleeve offers the benefits of a band yet without complications of bypass (which I would never consider). Thanks for listening!!:thumbup:

Hi all- I just wanted to share my experience. I was banded in 2006 and lost over 50 lbs. For the most part I was very happy except for the occasional "stuck" foods. Then when I reached my lowest (not quite goal) I started having horrible reflux. I had my band replaced a little over a year ago and I have gained all of my weight back!!:smile: The first band was a 4cc now I have a 10cc and I have not found any restriction. I am soooo discouraged because I was never able to loose weight prior to my (first) band and now I feel like this second band just doesn't want to work! I go in for yet another fill soon and I plan to talk to the doc about another type of surgery- maybe vertical sleeve? I know the band or any other surgery isn't perfect, but to have gained all of my weight back is so disappointing and depressing!! :scared2: