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I don't think anyone should be hateful. If you have had success with the band then that is awesome however complications are real and they happen to real people even if they were compliant. I knew the complications going in and decided to do it any way. I had mine in almost 6 years ago. About 5 months in I had a dilation that slipped my band and I have had horrible pain ever since. I was fully nailed 3 years ago and that is when I began my battle to get the insurance to approve taking it out. They have denied me two times which is a different topic altogether even though the tests proved there was damage. I am finally approved and scheduled to get it out on 06/25 and even though there could be complications I have chosen to revise to the sleeve. Let me say this though: I DO NOT regret getting the band. I know that if I had not intervened and had the band put in that I would be over 400 lbs by now. The band has forced me to change the way I see and feel about food. That alone is priceless. But I believe everyone's story should be heard whether the band was successful for you or you had complications and people should be supportive to people with both success and complications. Good luck to all
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If you're deadset on believing that Lapband is perfect and can do no wrong and don't want to hear about complications, then move on to the next topic. Given what I've gone through, I think I'm obligated to say something. When I was first investigating whether I wanted to get this surgery for sure, I would have appreciated a lot more honesty and more stories about what HAS happened to people. I got my lapband in 2007. I followed all the rules and did what I was supposed to - so I'd appreciate not pointing fingers. It is a FLAWED mechanism. I would be shocked if this device never got recalled. I've had problems off and on over the years. Success and failure, both. Since about 2011, I started having problems with severe heartburn, pain, and fluctuating weight. I was in the hospital a few times. An upper GI in December showed a major slip. I went in for surgery two days ago to have it removed. The surgeon told me it's one of the worst cases he has seen. No fault of my original surgeon, and nothing I had done wrong. He said the band had deteriorated INTO my stomach and was in pieces. He had to open up my stomach to get it out. I now have two drains - one coming out of my gut and one through my nose down into my stomach. It was supposed to be a quick turn around surgery with me flying home yesterday. The surgeon is keeping me here at hospital until Sunday and the NG tube will be in until tomorrow. Who knows the state of my stomach once everything has healed. I know part of the appeal of this surgery is that it's "reversible." Is this really what you'd consider reversible?? I urge everybody to read the story in "complications" called "My Stomach Died" and tell me if that sounds reversible to you. It's a dangerous surgery. I know this won't be EVERYBODY's outcome. But had I known 7 years ago that this (and ESPECIALLY the "stomach died" story) was possible at all, I never would've done it. Do tons of research. Be sure you can live with ANY of the possible complications. I share this story because I don't want anyone else to have to go through it. Research other surgeries. I refuse to get a revision. But knowing what I know now - if I'd known it in 2007, I probably would've gone with the sleeve or similar. I would do a ton of research and find the worst complications to decide if I could live with that possible outcome. Just be careful, people - I don't want anyone to have to go through this.
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I had a band placed in 2011. Worst medical decision I ever made. I caused major problems ... Acid reflux, night coughing, and more. In the last three or so years I had horrible doubling over pain at least 3-5 days a week. After a gastro did an EGD on me he found gastritis and esophagitis to where my pouch opening to the stomach was nearly closed due to inflammation. He referred to to a Bariatric surgeon suggesting a revision the the sleeve. I ended up having an emergency revision to gastric bypass. I did not choose the LB removal only because of weight regain. My surgeon said that the sleeve would make my GERD worse so I chose the RNY. No More GERD! No More Pain either! I feel great! During the surgery he found my stomach high in my chest due to a hiatal hernia caused by the band. He also did repairs to the esophagus (was in an S shape). Also my port was nearly detached. My new bariatric surgeon’s Center for Bariatric Excellence no longer places Lapband... but does a lot of removals and revisions due to serious so many complications.
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Endoscope revealed no restriction with Realize Lap Band
sharon2u replied to AnnieMae's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I just had this done on Monday just the standard Upper GI with the barium. I am fine and so is the band. I requested to have this done becuase I seen a new Dr. not the one that did my band. Several months after my last fill I developed night reflux and coughing. So I went to see the new Dr. this is what he told me and mind you I did not yet have the barium test at that time. He told me that my band was too tight. He told me that I ahd a Mega Esophagus (dialited)he also told me that my esophagus is going to burst and that I could die it that happened. He also told me that my original surgeon would have to do my operation (revision) well scared me he did..so much that I was afraid to eat thinking that my esophagus could burst. How can a Dr. tell you all of that without even running the test to begin with (x-ray vision) I guess. Well he did take 1 cc out of my band. He also told me that I had a fill of 7 ccs in my band but in my medcial records from my original Dr. it stated that I had 5 1/4 ccs then on the date of the unfill as I call it he said I ahd 6 1/2 ccs well comone now which is t Dr.? I will not give any names to protect myself here but I really feel that this man has no right being a Bariatric Surgeon if he is only going to guess and assume that there is a problem when there is none at all. I had my Upper GI and well low and behold everything is fine. The contrast went right down, the esophagus is that of normal size. I ahd a wonderful conversation with the radiogogist that did the test and I have had so many that I can tell if something is not right and even he said he could not see a problem with the band or much less anything else. sorry to be so long winded here but it makes me very mad when someone cannot get the job done right. -
Who has had their sleeve the longest?
TheGamer replied to himalaya62's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
The sleeve procedure was started as the first step to a gastric revision, from what I understand. It was developed for patients who were too big to undergo a RNY or other procedure safely. The sleeve allowed them to lose weight and then to undergo a second procedure to finalize the weight loss surgery at a later date. They found that people were losing decent weight on it and so eventually it became its own form of surgery. If I remember correctly, the first sleeves were larger than the ones we're given because it was a staged procedure. I think I recall my doctor saying that the sleeve as a stand alone procedure is relatively recent, so there isn't as much data on the long term effects of sleeving versus other types of weight loss surgery, though the data indicates that the results of a sleeve are on par with the results you'd get from the much more risky RNY procedure. To my knowledge there's not 20 years worth of data on the effects of sleeving. We're really all guinea pigs of a sort -
Sleeve revision to gastric bypass tomorrow
Beckyyb93 replied to nailsbyniki's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I just read this whole thread, wow Nikki you are a very strong woman and I'm so so glad things are going better for you! Lisa, I'm having the same problems you are and I responded to another thread by you on a different site. I'm having severe esophageal spasms and have had multiple hospitalizations, lots of barium swallows, and dilations. Nothing has fixed the problem and I'm 1.5 years post-op. I also haven't lost any weight because the only thing I manage to keep down is ice cream and pudding...talk about depressing. (Just want to add that it's nothing compared to what you went through Nikki, I kind of feel bad for even complaining since you had things so so much worse) My surgeon wants to put in a stent but says that 70-80% of people can't tolerate the pain it causes so that makes me nervous. The next step is a revision to a bypass but at this point I'm not even that against going with that option. Eating is next to impossible because of the severe spasms and the reflux. My main question is, how is the revision going to stop the spasms? As far as I'm aware, the cardiac sphincter connecting your esophagus to your stomach is still in place with the bypass so while the reflux would be gone, would the spasms go away too? So, is it the reflux causing the spasms or the spasms causing the reflux? I'm not sure what I'm going to do. He wants to put the stent in next week but I'm considering skipping that and going straight for the revision if that will actually fix the spasms, plus it might give me the weight loss that I was originally seeking. I'd love an update on you Lisa and Nikki. Hope you both are feeling better! -
Sleeve revision to gastric bypass tomorrow
chasingpolaris321 replied to nailsbyniki's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Hi everyone, I'm glad I found this thread. I'm 11 months out from the sleeve, and have overall had a good experience. I have been having some chest pain and burning in my esophagus, but nothing really extreme (no vomiting, choking etc.). I had an endoscopy yesterday just to see what is going on, and they told me that I have severe reflux that had eroded some of my esophagus, and that I also have developed Barrett's Esophagus. Obviously this is very alarming to me because I had very little to no reflux before the sleeve, and all the sudden in 11 months I have a precancerous condition. I also have some mystery polyps that they are biopsying. My doctor has told me that I should think about sleeve revision to bypass, and I am just having a hard time wrapping my head around the whole thing. On the one hand, I don't feel like my quality of life has decreased from these issues, but on the other hand I am terrified of getting Esophageal cancer and feel like developing Barrett's this quickly isn't a great sign (as an FYI I am 26, so that's a lot of years left for acid to make things worse). I guess I'm just looking for input on what you would do in my situation. It's hard to find people who get this kind of choice. Thanks in advance, and I admire everyone on this thread for persevering through these complications. -
Sleeve revision to gastric bypass tomorrow
Aimstergal replied to nailsbyniki's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Hi all. Looks like I'm one of the very few with complications. I stopped losing weight at 6 months. I was up 4 days a week at the gym at 5am, eating healthy and still, nothing happened. My surgeon and nut were stumped and we did an intensive 6 week study. I saw him weekly, as well as my nut and we tried everything...raising calorie amt, lowering them, etc. nothing. Finally we did a ct scan and discovered a stricture. Top of my stomach healed too tightly and my stomach created a type of side pouch it seems so basically I could get down much more than I should. And that's the main reason I had the surgery!! I couldn't get full and now even with the surgery, same thing was happening. We did an endoscopy this week and not only saw the stricture up close but also discovered after filling up my sleeve with air, that my stomach is extremely thick and elastic and it was heavily dilated. So, I'm facing a revision to gastric bypass on the 16th. 11 months to the day that I had the sleeve surgery. I'm devastated. -
Sleeve revision to gastric bypass tomorrow
chasingpolaris321 replied to nailsbyniki's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Was it denied specifically because you had your procedure in Mexico? That doesn't seem fair! I am on prilosec, I think my concern is that I developed Barrett's in under 11 months without any history of acid reflux. They think part of it is that I had my gallbladder removed a month after my sleeve and that it led to bad bile reflux too. If you had Barrett's do you think you'd have the bypass (if your insurance wasn't an issue)? I am trying to assess whether the revision is something that I should take very seriously or if I should hold off. Because of my job I'll be back in the States for a couple of months this winter to sort out a visa issue, so I feel like I need to make a plan to prepare for having surgery then if I decide I need to. -
Sleeve revision to gastric bypass tomorrow
ausmith replied to nailsbyniki's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Was it denied specifically because you had your procedure in Mexico? That doesn't seem fair! I am on prilosec, I think my concern is that I developed Barrett's in under 11 months without any history of acid reflux. They think part of it is that I had my gallbladder removed a month after my sleeve and that it led to bad bile reflux too. If you had Barrett's do you think you'd have the bypass (if your insurance wasn't an issue)? I am trying to assess whether the revision is something that I should take very seriously or if I should hold off. Because of my job I'll be back in the States for a couple of months this winter to sort out a visa issue, so I feel like I need to make a plan to prepare for having surgery then if I decide I need to. I'm no Dr and I don't have this issue but if it was me and the damage was this extreme after 11mths. Then I would not hesitate. Cancer doesn't discriminate it kills. Sorry to be so direct but your body is on a collision course and your Dr has given you an option to stop the problem. Your 26 and have your whole life ahead of you. Take care my thoughts are with you. Keep us posted with what you decide -
Losing is a challenge but keeping it off is an even bigger challenge. I worry all the time about whether or not I will keep it off with the band let alone the thought of not having the band at all. Long before my Band days I had lost 175lbs between 2003 and 2004 and got down to 219. I somehow managed to put it all back on plus an additional 90lbs. Even now when I reflect back I am not totally sure how I managed to let myself go and let it get so bad. I think perhaps I felt so good about myself and that life was grand that had I slipped back into habits and then begin making excuses for not taking corrective actions. So as you can see I am very nervous about keeping it off long term as I had already failed before. Band or no band but at least with the band I am hoping my weight issues forever stay on the forefront of my mind so what happened before will not repeat on me. From 2003 to 2004 I went from 394 to 219 back up to 488 by 2011. Completely disgusting and inexcusable and to this day I haven't forgiven myself. I wish you all the luck in the world and hope it works out but if it were me I would revise to something else if possible.
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N.E.W. Center in OC anybody?
TaiDyed replied to Lots Of Hope's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Yup...this was me. Had the band via the NEW program (Dr. Q) back in 2008. Have had all my followups over the years with Dr. B - who I adore...and am in the painful waiting period of *fingers crossed* to see if my insurance will cover the band to sleeve revision. At this point, if all goes as planned, I will start the 2 week pre op diet on 7/23 with my surgery date set for 8/6. I hate to wish the summer away but I really want August to be here. -
Signs of a stretched sleeve
Greensleevie replied to ryan_86's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Umm... what? Yes they do? It's normal for them to stretch to some capacity as you get further out from surgery. If it's stretched too much, some have had to have revisions done. It just can never stretch back out to what your stomach was once before. But if you fall into the old habit of overeating constantly, it will stretch. @@ryan_86 4oz isn't a whole lot with how far out you are, but I also know everyone is different. Sometimes I can eat 3oz of something and be stuffed, other times I can eat 6oz and be content. Snacking is okay as long as you're making smart choices. I limit myself to one snack per day, usually during a stretch of time where I go the longest in between meals. When I do snack, it's typically vegetables or something whole grain and nutritious (I personally limit these because carbs are my mortal enemy). No, they don't. The stretchy part, or fundus is removed during surgery. My surgeon told me they don't. Also, check out Dr Matthew Weiners videos about it. You're new to surgery. You'll learn. But don't act like you know everything because you don't. -
Most docs tend to put you on liquids for a few days after a fill. For example, my doc does two days of clears, two days of fulls, two days of soft, then reintroduce solids. Keep in mind, many experienced bandsters just can't tolerate chicken. That's one of the harder foods to eat. What if you go on liquids for a few days and see how it goes. If you ate chicken and barfed then you likely have some swelling. That means it is even harder to eat food the next time around, thus... more barfing. When you get a fill there is some natural swelling that is to be expected just from the fill itself. That's the reason for the gradual food stages. Good luck! Hope you feel better soon. I wouldn't worry about the band not working. If it isn't working in a few months with appropriate exercise, diet, and restriction then it would be time to take a look at what is wrong. But honestly, you are still a newbie with your first real restriction. You have months to go before you know if you have problems that would mean revision surgery.
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Revision Gone Wrong
spadesmcloven replied to faith-hope-love's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I had a revision to sleeve on the 16th. Luckily I used an amazing top Dallas bariatric physician. I too had the ng tube for a couple of days and just that alone slowed my recOvery in the hospital. Soon as that was out I was doing great. Today was my first follow up. Thank God everything looked okay. The only problem I am having is getting my protein and liquids in. I stay so incredibly full. They told me that Sunday I can start full liquids and that I will not feel as full by then that I had a major surgery and there is swelling. I forgot to mention they repaired a hiatal hernia and i think that has made things a little harder. No pain until today. My mother in law told me that her mother always told her that the 7th day after any surgery is the worse. I think I am a believer now haha. I wish you the best of luck and strength. It is wonderful to hear all the stories good or bad. Don't just jump in. I'm glad I ended up not. -
Revision Gone Wrong
CowgirlJane replied to faith-hope-love's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
So glad you are doing better. Thank you for sharing your story as it is important for people to know the risks! I have been told that risk of leakage is higher for band to sleeve revisions. It was one of the things I was most scared of as statistically it is a much higher rate then 1% for us revisions. -
The port is sewn to the fascia over the muscle, but sometimes the sutures come loose or there aren't enough sutures used. My Doctor did not know why this happened to me, but of all the lapband surgeries that he has done, I'm the only one that had my port flip and had to have a revision done.
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After my initial surgery (2001) I went in for my first fill only to find out the port broke! So into port revision surgery. Than for about 4 yrs it was fine. Then it broke again!!! The 2nd time, I was doing exercise (Curves) and man was I getting into it (for the first time in my life) and then one day I felt pain in my lower abdomen and I just knew the port broke and the tubing was traveling! Sure enough that is what happened. The doctor said the exercise could not have jogged the port - but I beg to differ! Anyway, I had to go in to hospital for revision - and stayed 2 nights. ONly because, they did not have another port and had to order one! Geesh!!! Anyway, good luck. I don't know much about the ports but I think I can reasonably say that I haven't heard of anyone else having 2 port revisions. I would be interested in finding out if anyone else had port revisions and why they feel so?
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Thinking of revision sleeve after 14 years living with the lap band
marfar7 replied to Halloul's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
My bmi is 27 and I'm revising to the sleeve after 3 1/2 yrs with th band cuz it slipped. I had the same questions: Why would I have WLS if my bmi is so close to normal? Because while I can probably eventually lose the last 30 lbs I have left, I KNOW I can't keep it off. Medicare will pay for the revision because I had complications. If you have complications from your band, I'm sure your insurance will cover it, but I don't think any insurance company out there will cover WLS with a bmi of 26. I'm waiting for the inflammation to go down before revising (so I can do it all at once) so I don't have a date yet (probably late June). I know exactly how you feel tho - have a bmi so close to normal but wanting it to stay there forever. I read somewhere that your body know when to stop losing weight and will stop before you become emaciated. I was afraid of looking like a bypass patient too. I want to be healthy - not rail thin. Good luck! -
My Stomach Literally Broke Open
elcee replied to model's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The most likely explanation for an infection of this nature is erosion. If the band has eroded into the stomach it is necessary for the band to be removed and for your stomach to heal before any type of revision surgery is considered. http://arturorodriguezmd.com/lapband-erosion-clinical-radiological-and-endoscopic-correlation/comment-page-1 -
Why Did You Choose Rny And Not The Band?
deaddemmama replied to Boobear7's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Long term data due to its relatively new standing. Too many unknowns. I have known people who've had success with all three options, although I see a lot of people getting band revisions. Many drs don't even offer the band....no matter what, it's a personal decision. -
Hi there, I had my surgery on the 13th so totally in the same phase as you. I think I'm experiencing some similar cravings. Being that I have been through this before, (my surgery is a revision) I can assure you that it's just your brain hinting at you from habit. You're not really hungry, you want to eat. There's a difference. I am concerned that you are considering some potentially life threatening solutions. (food at this point could cause a leak and that can cause infection that can kill you.) My suggestion is to get a notebook JUST for this journey. First, write the most important reasons why you chose to have surgery. Read them over when you have urges to do things off program. Hope this helps.
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I am in the process of trying to get this danged lap band removed and converted to a sleeve. (Just waiting on my PCP to fax over some records so the dr's office can submit for insurance approval.) Worse comes to worse, the insurance will deny the revision, but I WILL have this stupid thing taken out of me!!! (Was banded in May, 2008.) Like most of you, I have had nothing but heartache with this band. Constant heartburn, hyperemesis (LOTS of vomiting), sliming, hiccups, pain at the port site- just no slippage praise the Lord. (I can only imagine how much MORE that would hurt.) I REALLY wish I would have listened to my surgeon when he tried to shy me away from having the band done. He even went as far to ask me if it was OK to say "told you so" yet. LOL! (We also have a working relationship, so it was indeed in jest.) Anyway, if I am approved, I'll be having it done the last FULL week of August, on my break from nursing school. (It's only a week long break, MAN i hope I heal just as quickly as I have with other surgeries.) The countdown is ON!!! YAY!!!! (I have GREAT insurance, so I am fairly confident that they'll approve the surgery.) I look forward to getting to know everyone!
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Not sure who I should tell!
GalleyGal replied to HappilyEverAfter44's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The only people I told about my band to sleeve revision was my mom and aunt since I needed them to take me to the hospital and watch my son. I feel this is a very personal decision and it really isn't anyone's business. I've been starting to eat healthier and talking about my weight loss to a few people at work so they are aware that I'm working to get healthy. They do know that I had surgery but I told them I had a hernia repaired, I didn't lie just didn't tell them I also had a revision. You just need to do what you feel is best and if not telling anyone then don't. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App -
I had my revision done on June 24th and I am feeling great for the most part.I also had to get my gallbladder out so that was alittle more pain but not too bad.My question is-I also had to have a drainage tube put in,has anyone else had to do this an if so how long.Mine is in for a week getting it out on Wednesday,but I waswoindering if I am still draining what happens then? Has this happened to anyone in there procedure,Please share! Thank you
