Search the Community

Well after many months and many ups and downs I finally have a date to have my eroded lap band removed. March 29th is the big day!!!!!!!!!!! I will have my surgery VERY early in the morning and will stay overnight to make sure there is no leaking from the repaired area of my stomach. Hopefully, if all goes well, in two months I will revise to either the sleeve or banded plication. There is much to consider with both of these procedures and the positives and negatives are pretty well balanced. I have read good and bad things about both procedures. Right now though, I'm just going to focus on getting the band removed and see what kind of damage it's done. So far I have felt no effects other than an occasional pull or tug or momentary pain in the area just below my sternum. I still have some minimal restriction due to there being a plastic ring in the middle of my stomach but I can pretty much eat anything I want and have been. I figure that eventually I will have the tool necessary for me to succeed so I might as well enjoy myself while I can even though the weight gain is making me feel miserable physically. I can't wait to be thin again. Weird how the mind justifies things. If I couldn't eat another cheeseburger tomorrow it wouldn't bother me, but since I can I do! Ugh. I'm definitely ready to get back on track. Let's get this party started!

I am so glad you found an experienced revision surgeon. I am shocked he thought you could go back to work after so few days... I sure couldn't! I went back to work after 3 weeks, desk job, and have really struggled due to exhaustion.

I have had my band since February 2007. Yesterday, I went in for an upper GI to check and make sure my pouch hadn't stretched. I haven't had any pain or discomfort, no vomiting, or acid reflux. My only complaint was that despite having an almost full band, I could at times eat much more than I thought I should be able to. Hence the decision by my doctor to do the upper GI. As reference, I began at 277 before my lapband surgery. I got down as low as 183, bounced back up to 223 and am now sitting at 211 with a BMI of 32. My goal weight is about 165. This is in a period of almost four years. When I drank the contrast liquid, we watched as the Fluid went down the esophagus, into the pouch, and through the stoma. We also watched as some of the liquid went AROUND my band! The only way that can happen is if a portion of the band is now INSIDE of my stomach. Preliminary diagnosis is band erosion. Next week I will be scheduling an endoscopy to determine the extent of the erosion and see how much damage has been done to my stomach. In the brief conversation I had with my doctor after the discovery, he stated that the only option for treatment is removal of the band. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I have become dependent on my band and to think of not having restriction is a scary thought for me. Like others, the thought of going back to the weight I was at before is not an option. My doctor has indicated that once the band has been removed and I have healed from that surgery (after about four months), I can either be re-banded (I don't think so), or I can do a revision to either bypass or gastric sleeve. I am not keen on the idea of bypass. It just seems so extreme and there's no where to go after that surgery. So I am leaning towards the sleeve. From everything I have read, the majority of people who have had this procedure are very happy with it. Yesterday was spent trying to wrap my head around the prospect of having two surgeries next year. Talking with my family and trying to understand my options. I am fortunate in that my situation is not an emergency. There is no infection and I can eat properly. (The doctor did deflate my band completely). I also have insurance through my company and the enrollment period is coming up in the next couple of weeks so I can make decisions accordingly knowing that I am going to have these surgeries. It is still yet to be determined if my insurance company (BCBS AL) will cover either surgery (scary thought), but I'm willing to fight for it. I was self pay for my band so I don't know if that will impact their decision or not. I know they do cover WLS and have the typical six month waiting period (not sure I would have to do that given the circumstances). I will be posting here with my progress and experience for the benefit of others who may encounter similar complications and decisions. I would very much like to hear from others who have had band erosion and have done the revision to the sleeve or those who have the sleeve and what their experience has been with that type of surgery. I can't believe I'm at this point again. Ugh.

I'm coming up for three years now and so far, absolutely no problems. I've begun having Fluid let out of my band, although its made it a bit harder to maintain, i want to find the point where I can have the least restriction possible and still remain at 70kg. I really believe that being tight for long periods of time leads to higher risks of problems. I also endeavour to maintain my weight as much as possible with exercise rather than relying on tight restriction for severe calorie control. So far its working well. I dont fear problems, but if they arise, I will have NO hesitation in being either rebanded or revising to the sleeve (which is becoming more and more popular here). I know I need intervention to remain at a normal weight, the difference in appetite with even small removals of fill is quite remarkable. But I just remain optimistic and thankful for the tool I have.

Sometime with the sleeve you can develops reflux, sometimes bad enough to need a revision. For that reason I went with bypass. One surgery is enough for me. Also, your insurance may not cover another surgery.

I'm not really sure myself. I see my surgeon this week to discuss it. I know when I was thinking about revision my insurance company said I was to go through my primary first just as I did when I got the lap band. I think you need to give more specifics about your situation and good luck and health, nanook.:thumbup:

I'm young, I have no children. I'm going to go for the band if I go for WLS. If it doesn't work, if I have problems with it and it has to be removed, I can try to beg my insurance company to let me have it revised to an RNY -- that is, if the time with the band isn't sufficient for me to lose enough weight to be healthier. There is no going back from an RNY. I still would gladly go through the complications the people I have known with RNY have experienced than suffer the health consequences of morbid obesity, though.

i had revision surgery from the lapband to the sleeve in October. when i found out my lapband slipped, i was so afraid of gaining the 70+ pounds back so i started researching the sleeve. i had to have all liquid removed from my band so my stomach was "normal" and i was able to eat whatever i wanted. i decided to gain 20 pounds before my revision surgery so i'd have a buffer of weight to lose after surgery during the liquid food stage. i didn't want to go in to surgery at my goal weight and then lose more weight. i weighed 147 pounds the day of my sleeve surgery. today, almost 6 weeks later, i weigh 137... so i've only lost 10 pounds. i would like to lose the other 10 pounds i gained "on purpose" but i'm okay just maintaining too.

Hi, There is a sub forum which is Revision - Band to Sleeve, that has a lot of great info. I am having my band removed and sleeve done in 12 days! Good luck to you! Cheers, Dottie

Surgery date is October 5, 2015 and my wedding date is December 5, 2015. I'm having a revision from the band to the bypass. I realize that the wedding dress I have now will have to be scrapped as I will probably lose too much... How much could I potentially lose if following all the rules? I understand that weight loss varies depending on so much. My BMI is at 38 now. Any thoughts or experiences? I didn't have rapid lost at all with the band so I don't know what to expect. Thank you!

I just had my revision surgery on September 1st. GERD is Acid Reflux, and I got it pretty badly after the sleeve. It was my only complication, but in the end it was worth it to me to get the bypass. I had a very easy recovery and am very happy with my choice. Once I was far enough out from my sleeve surgery I was able to drink wine, low-calorie mixers with hard alcohol, and occasionally beer. I think you have to figure out what works for you, and stay diligent not to let it contribute to regain or become a habit. Even though we can live pretty normal food and drink lives, we have to be more diligent than others not to slip into old habits (for some of us, habits we have had our whole lives). It can feel like an uphill battle, but I can't tell you how good it feels to not feel panicked about your weight every day. Whatever you decide, good luck!

Hi all, In a nutshell, I'm so discouraged by my band... Let's begin by saying that I was banded on 5/4/12 initially. My preop diet went great...I lost 14 pounds in those 2 weeks doing the Optifast diet per my surgeon. Postop was also fine...no initial complications except that I've never felt the "restriction" like my doc says I should. My doctor wants all his patients to only be able to eat 3-4 ounces per meal. Understandable, assuming my band would actually work. I've lost count of the fills I've had...I think I'm up to about 5 since my surgery. With each fill, I only feel restriction for the first 72 hours at best...after that, nothing. Needless to say, I am so frustrated. An the real kicker is that on 10/12/12, I had to have a revision done because my port flipped, but according to my doc, my band was fine. The most weight I've lost was 51 pounds...now I'm at 43 pounds. I've got 108 pounds to goal weight and I feel like I'll never get there because I'm just yo-yoing right now. Has anyone else felt this way? If so, what did you do? I want to get my records and go elsewhere for a second opinion. In my case, I selected a doctor that is 50 miles from my house because I thought he was the best one for me...but his idea of coming in every 3 weeks for more "fills" that cost me a $25 copay and $20 in gas each time is not fesible. In addition, I just started working nights as a Nurse Tech...since doing so, I seem to be holding on to more weight even though I'm being run ragged. Since I've already had one issue with my band and feel like it's leaking, I want to revise to the sleeve, but I am so hesitant that it would even work. Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all!

Her pouches stretched so they made it smaller again. She never got "skinny" she's 5'10 and she's 160 looks great. She was 360 before surgery 215 before revision.

1) I was already approved so why do I have to see the doc again? Like DL said to answer all your questions, so have a list ready! Mine saw me to have me sign authorization forms, give me my date for the pre op seminar and me preacription for my primary for the pre op testing. 2)what happens at your last pre op appointment? My last appointment was all my pre op testing/clearance ekg, chest xray, blood work 3) when do you get your surgery date? In my original RNY 8 yrs ago I had to appeal for a year and a half, this time I had a revision and it took two weeks to approve and get my surgery date. I had to re schedule because it was too soon! 4) should I already start my pre op diet now? In my opinion if your surgeon said to loose weight before surgery I would, it definetly would not hurt. 5) how many people didn't have to do a 2 week diet? I had to do a full liquid diet two weeks prior 6) did you have any complications? And if so what? In my first RNY I was in tubated and in ICU for 48 hrs But was also 117lbs heavier than I am now. Also Ten days later I was bleeding due to an internal hemorroid and was in the hospital for another 8 days. Other than these my only other complication has been anemia. Since mine was a revision I was NPO for 48 hours with an NG tube other than that I was okay. 7) how long were u out of work? The first time I was out a month This time three weeks 8) how long after the surgery can u have sex? I waited nine days, till I felt up to it. 9) what do I need for the hospital? My best friend was chapstick and a teddy bear a friend gave me to put on my stomach when I walked or got wheeled for the upper GI 10)how many people had children after rny? And does it help boost fertility? Sorry not me, had mine prior 11)what vitamins do I need to buy? Every surgeon is different and requires different brands/things what I was told to buy was liquid or chewable multi Vitamin, sublingual B12, sublingual Biotin and Calcium citrate with Vitamin D chewable. For my surgeon everyting must be chewable for the first three months. 12)what did u find most helpful after surgery? Having my husband with me for the first few days 13) did u do it alone? Or was somethere to help u during the day? No, I was lucky to have my hubby here because I did not do well with the dilaudin or the morphine and was throwing up blood after each dose. If he would not have been there I would of thrown up all over myself each time. He was also very helpful the first couple of times getting me out of the bed and into the chair, walking and back in bed. Hope this helps! And remember everyone's experience is different and this was mine, just wanted to share so you get an idea!

I have to be there at 7:30. And yes I am ready. I had the lap band done last march so mine is actually a revision but glad to be finally getting what I want

Leaks are funny little things. Most agree that they occur during surgery, and aren't initially found due to swelling from the traumatic surgery. That's why you see leaks found between 2-30 days out on average. I've read of 2 stories on OH where ladies had leaks that went months undiagnosed and they were treated for other conditions, kidney infections, and other things and the leak just wasn't caught. One lady was a textbook surgery, followed her program to the T, didn't eat foods not allowed, the other lady was eating mashed peas and pureed chicken within the first week because she was just too hungry. Neither of their surgeons would say what caused the leak, or that anyone was at fault. The leak stat for an experienced surgeon should be 1% of less. My surgeon had zero leaks, and I ended up with a leak. He is experienced in band to RNY revision, and had around 200 sleeves under his belt, he had done some band to VSG revisions, and I was confident in his skill. I was also a tough revision with severe damage to my stomach tissue so my risk for a leak was quadrupled due to the band. I knew I'd be at a higher risk for complications. My leak was detected 2 days post-revision. I was feeling amazing, no fever, and it was detected on my last leak test about 2 hours before I was to be discharged. I had been up walking, feeling good, laughing with the nurses, but the second I swallowed the gastrographin Fluid, it hit my stomach, I knew I had a leak. I was rushed back into surgery for them to repair it. I had not eaten anything, and had drank very little as I was still on an IV for fluids. Leaks are related to healing and surgical technique. Within the first 2 weeks, the staple line is healing, but if there is a pinhole leak present and it goes undiagnosed, it will grow as the swelling decreases.

Am a revision and have had the band since June 2011. It has slipped so I am having it removed and sleeved at the same time. New to this and quite nervous about surgery next week. I chose to tell only a few select people. My husband and daughters.... I am going for pre-op tomorrow.

I lost amazingly, remarkably fast with the Band (which my doctor said was unusual). And after three years of complications, had the band pulled out in November, and the RNY on February 10. Since the bypass surgery, I have lost 17 pounds (almost 6 weeks) which I know is great, BUT ... the zillions of people who did not have the band removed first are losing 30, 35, or 40 in the first month. I was so concerned that I was "doing something wrong" that I called my doctor's office. They reassured me that for whatever reason, the weight loss is MUCH SLOWER after revision surgery. I feel bummed. Then again, I have no reflux, no gird, no gurgling afwul sound after I take a sip of Water. I sleep at night, I never throw up. Sounds good to me. I can wait for the wait to come off, as long as it comes off!!

Hello, my name is Doreen and I had the lap band in 2011 and have only lost 30 lbs. I'm going in for my revision to bypass November 4th. I now weigh 206.I also have diabetes, high BP and high Cholesterol in which the lap band didn't help resolve. I'm sure you will be fine but I have to let you know that I do worry about losing too much weight also. I'm really excited about it and I'm sure I will be fine as long as I follow all the guidelines my Dr. and nut give me.

My story is very similar to yours. Banded in 2006.. Lost 90lbs.. Felt sooo awesome... Then reflux set in.. Fluid removed .. Lots of meds... Gained 45# back. Having revision .. Rny on 12/23/13!! I am so excited but reading all these posts about slow weight loss after revision is making me very nervous. I hope it is a greater tool than the band was. Anyone have great revision stories ? I wish I would have NEVER done the band.. I'm sorry no one told me no band from the beginning . Merry Christmas to all.

I am so happy for you! I went to rny revision this year. My docs office has a Michelle too, where do you live?

If you have a smart phone you can get viber, text and talk for free with wifi if the other person also has viber. Another person when I was there was able to use her AT&T US service while at mi dr hospital. The hotel was to far over the border. Revision 1/31/13 by Dr Cabrera and Venezuela in MX

I'm in the same boat. I developed motility issues after my VSG in 2014, on Monday I was given a revision to RNY to try to tackle the GERD issues before they continue on with further treatments. What I understand at this point is that they have to take baby steps trying to minimize the impact of these complications by medication (do you have spasms at all?), or by surgical means. I was told that there's no guarantee any of these procedures would actually work. You may just have to wait and see what they throw at you. Ultimately I was warned that sometimes we just have to end up going with TPN when other treatments fail. It's a wait and see game.

This is the exact same thing that happened to me! My band was so messed up that I ended up revising to the sleeve. I had a slip too and my doctor felt the band would slip again since I also had a hernia. I thought I had appendicitis! I am so glad I am not the only one.

Everyone posted a lot of good info. Like you, I at first was going to get the LapBand. After researching it, I basically learned that: While the initial complication rates for the band were lower, the long term complication rate was much higher I figured that I would rather have a surgery and "get it over with" in the first couple months of healing than deal with a lifetime of getting stuck with a needle in my stomach. (this costs money too) The difference in complication rates, even initially, between the sleeve and the band were really almost nothing. I think the band has an initial complication rate of 0.05% and the sleeve of 1%. It's still very, very small. The bariatric surgeons I've talked with have all preferred the sleeve for me over the band. Plus, if the band fails, it gets revised to the sleeve. I just thought--why not get it right the first time? I don't want two surgeries.