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Hi this response is directed to Dustkicker and LoisinStA In my experience with the band, when my reflux kicks up, the band is too tight. Even though I can still eat and sometimes feel I could be a bit tigher... messing around with reflux and recognizing the signs are very important. Early last sommer I had been filled up to 6 cc's in a 10 cc band. thought I was doing great. Then all of a sudden this crazy reflux started, keeping me up all night no matter what. Two months in a row I had .5cc unfills and after a full cc was removed I felt relief. (I had just hit my 100 pound mark around this time). Then 6 months later during this holday season the reflux kicked back up bad. Even on Water, anything I ate came up my throat. All night long no matter how many hours before bed I stopped eating. I have been sitting sleeping up right since christmas. This last episode then progressed into crazy 24/7 heartburn and nothing would help it. I'm already on 40 mg's of Aciphex daily. I added 150 mg Zantac twice a day and was still in burning hell. I was on fluids for a week while I waited to get in and see my dr, and that seemed to quell most of it. I went to see my surgeon in early Jan and he removed 1 cc of fluid and ordered an upper GI. He thought I had Mega Esophogus (where my stomach uses my esophogus as an overflow resivoir basically) Mr surgeon said if this was the case, it would need to be removed. The upper GI came back and showed that my band had actually slipped. I'm dealing with that now... and working on getting unfills to see if that releives the reflux and heartburn, now i'm just at risk of having a revision surgery. The esophogial cancer threat scares me. I was so worried about damanging my espohogus as I know you can't fix it. My advise is not to mess with and just suffer through the reflux at the sake of wanting a tigheter stomach to eat less or be more restricted. It's not worth it. I totally felt I could control the reflux and I couldn't. I don't want unfills and I don't want another surgery. But I have to do what I have to do not to damage myself at the sake of keeping my weight loss.

Hi Tater, DS is the newest, most involved, and least "popular" of the weight loss surgeries. Hopefully, it will get it's own headline soon. I too was a self pay but revised to DS after the sleeve did not give me the results I needed. Going to a sunny climate to have the surgery in the dead of winter sounds great to me. Welcome! Liz

I was banded in nove 2008 and had pretty good weight loss the first 10 months, then i had a slip, a complete unfill, revision surgery to fix the slippage in sept 09 and have been at the same weight snce then. the same weight since SEPTEMBER 09!!!! i met with my surgeon today i told her that i am still not tight enough, i can eat EVERY and ANYTHING, nothing gets stuck or gives me any trouble at all and my protions are way to big. I work out but my caloric intake at this point is is allowig me to maintain but not lose. she gave me a virtual slap in the face and reminded me that most lapband patients only lose 50% of their excess weight. I refuse to accept that. I am about 38 lbs away from my "adjusted " goal (i originaly was going for a goal of 140 but have changed to 150) i dont want to settle for being "almost there" I signed up for total success. she gave me a sligt fill today and afollow up appt in 3 months. im hoping for a15 pound weight loss in that time frame. Recommitt to success and pull out all the stops. my 2 year banniversary is november 19 is 5 months away and i plan on being at my gaol weight. wish me luck as i do to each of you.

See http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/9758-my-great-gps-experience-with-dr-watkins/page__pid__102803#entry102803 and also search for Dr. Watkins he so talented and has great followup. Also has done a lot of revision surgeries for people with previous problem surgeries.

Thankful that you'll be okay! I'm glad there was no need to revise to another surgery. Speedy healing, and I hope you won't have an issue again in the future, ~Cheri

The bottom line is that this is a life long journey with a very short window of "quick" weight loss. And you only have one golden shot at it. Because revisions are not usually as "easy-ish" as the first time. So you do you, Boo. But I think for you to be so categoricaly mis-aligned with your doc/RD that it's going to make your journey difficult and the sad thing is you will likely give up going to your check-ups etc. Which could spell disaster for you long term and regain in your future. So like, why have it at all? Or why have it with them. There are docs/centers who espouse a WFPD for all their surgical patients. Look one of them up and make the transition now. I will also tell you that I DO have a bias. I am pro-low carb and pro-lower healthy fat for the quickest losses and maintenance is done by adding healthy fats rather than adding protein or more fast acting carbs. I would have never gotten to my goal nor been maintaining had I been eating the grains and lots of fruit. I wouldn't. I have too many metabolic strikes against me. And not that it can't be done, but I think the life of a vegan or vegetarian WLS patient is very hard. The ones I know of in real life have either not gotten to goal ever or they have suffered big time regain. But I do know of a couple of women here who are very successful following a WFPD. But, they are also endurance athletes and as such, they're as much outliers as I am... I encourage you to look at other bariatric teams who are more closely aligned with your belief system. Studies show that long term success is directly linked to after care by a team of bari pros.

My surgeon removed all the fluid from my band about a month and a half before my revision to give my stomach some relief and healing before the surgery.

My doctor removed all my Fluid before the EGD, otherwise it would be difficult to get the camera down my esophagus. It was also to let my stomach go back to normal before the sleeve revision. People who never had the lap band have EGDs all the time.

That's what Tricare did to me. I was just over 100 pounds overweight. They put me on the 6-month diet and as soon as I lost to 99 pounds overweight they said I didn't qualify for the surgery. But if I hadn't lost any weight, they said I wouldn't have qualified because I had to show I could lose weight. I ended up self-paying for the band back in 2007 (didn't work) and now thankfully my insurance has approved me for a revision. I can my own insurance through my job now and don't have to rely on my husband's Tricare. It was an awful experience.

@@carolina07 I too have the band and I am revising to sleeve tomorrow. But I am so paranoid if this is the right thing for me. I had so many issues with the band that it scares me to get the sleeve its permanent. Can you please give me details as far as what you felt and comparison? Thank you

I had my lapband placed in sep 2007 lost 80lbs, my port was sticking up seemed roundish, had revision procedure to make it flat, that was three weeks ago then doctor said it had flipped as stitches came undone internally, had surgery 7 days ago and now feel a squarish lump under my bandage then moves about 2 inches then back. Doctor on both occasions said just to eat carefully no need for mushy stage, and can resume normal activities the following day although may be tender. But even when having a fill normally he says no need for mushies or clear just be careful and eat slowly and chew as may now be tighter.

Much of my depression was based on a pervasive sense of self-hatred for being so fat. (I was an obese low-carber.) Even after trying everything, including a Lap-band, I was getting fatter every year. My blood pressure was creeping up. Fasting blood glucose readings were creeping up, too. My ankles were swelling. My liver enzymes were not so great, and my kidney function was affected by stone formation. My left knee was going, and my hips were constantly sore. I was clumsy, and was always getting bruises. I needed physical therapy for my left shoulder. Felt 85, not 55. Insurance covered my revision, but based on results over the last 5 months, I would self-pay with no hesitation. The sleeve gave me my life and sanity back. Even if doctors found out that the sleeve resulted in growing a second nose on the side of the face, I would buy extra Kleenex and move on with my life. I weigh less than I have weighed since I was 18, and I feel 20 years younger. Come what may, I made the right decision for me.

I had a complete unfill several weeks ago after a slippage and developing a pouch. Then had 1.8ml added back in after being empty for several weeks. The reflux/not being able to eat correct food returned and now I'm having a revision surgery next month for a new band.

I finally had the information meeting with my prospective surgeon last Friday. I had really been looking forward to it - but left feeling deflated. I told him I was worried about not being able to walk with my rheumatoid arthritis if I can't take ibuprofen. He never answered me regarding that issue - just said the need for other RA meds would decrease. I also think I will need a lot of support after the surgery because I think it will be very difficult psychologically. He never mentioned a support group so I asked if they had one "yes, we do," was the only response - no additional information whatsoever. In general, I felt like he didn't really address my concerns, I got the feeling there would not be much after care. I have decided to get a consultation with another surgeon. I know that the one I went to is very talented surgically, but after the surgery I don't think he'll really be there. There was another patient there who wanted to schedule a band to sleeve revision and the Dr. told him he looked familiar - the patient said "you did my lap band and I saw you referred me for an EGD last month." Kind of felt like we were just warm bodies sitting there. Maybe I'm wrong- maybe that's how all surgeons are and I am just making excuses for my fear and second thoughts. My mom went with me and kept saying she was afraid I would become an alcoholic if I wasn't able to eat junk food, and that I would be even more unhappy being thin with sagging skin than being fat. I appreciate your thoughts

My concern in posting this is that we shouldn't encourage someone to get a device implanted just because we've had a good experience. Many people with ONE Autoimmune disorder often have other undiagnosed autoimmune issues that are found after a device such as the band, is implanted. My post isn't meant to be an alarm, but a word of caution when replying to a thread about which surgery to choose. On the other site I frequent there are multiple boards for each surgery, including revision. Literally hundreds of posts are made by people monthly who are having band troubles and needing to revise. About 75% revise to sleeve and are very pleased with the outcome. Shouldn't these 75% have just had the sleeve to start with and avoided the risk, pain, scar tissue, aftercare and expense of a second surgery?

I never had any regrets when I had my lap band put in 11+ years ago, despite getting horrible GERD and that the band likely causing my hiatal hernia. And I really don't think I will regret my revision to a VSG two weeks ago either. Not to go to "a dark place" in this thread but honestly, the point that my bariatric surgeon brought up in the seminar when I was considering the lap band years ago was "Why is it that you never see anyone who is old and obese? Because if you're obese you generally don't make it to old age." That has just stayed with me ever since. Wishing you all the best on your journey!!

I am having band revision to bypass in June 8!! Super excited!!

Every doctor/surgeon is different on this one, just like most other things lol. I was wondering the same thing, as I started mushies today after having a revision surgery two weeks ago. Felt kind of stupid calling as I've done this all before and I should know the answer that mine would give me, but called to double check when I couldn't find it in the paperwork. So for me, its eat until you feel satiated (not stuffed). They said that they wouldn't give me a exact amount, cause half a cup or one cup or whatever, may not make me full .. or it may make me too full. Just eat until I was no longer 'hungry'. That works for me *shrugs*. Last time around, one of the hardest things for me was learning the difference between no longer being hungry and being full. Just like alot of other people out there, prebanding, I ate until I hurt quite often. So finding that fine line was difficult. The easiest way for me to do it, was to make sure I really slowed down and took very small bites (ie, if I'm eating with a teaspoon, I may only eat 1/4 of the teaspoon with each bite). My meals last like 30 minutes or more sometimes, just cause I drag it out that long .. but its worked (or it did with the last band). Let's just hope I can use the same common sense this time around lol.

Donali!! I kept getting the "come visit us again" emails and never did...until today...and there you are! I'm looking up exactly what you posted about for my sister, who--she must have been drunk at the time after watching ME suffer for three years--mentioned the LapBand. I've talked her down from that--her BMI is like 54 or something and she's old like me...it would merely be "the first step to her next surgery," as the band OFTEN (as we have learned) is--and I'm looking at those who have revised to the sleeve, as I think she'd do well with that. (She would not stay on top of the malabsorption issues and would be the first to say so. If she were here. Which I don't think she is. How's your life?!? You finished the patio, right? And that man came home? (Did we keep him or decide it was time to change HIM out, too?) I hope you are well. Sue

A few things.. first, I don't see any reason to flame the OP. The risks ARE out there. For me, I didn't want to be blind to them, I understood them going into this. But honest to God the 'risks' of not having SOMETHING done were immenent. I already had pre-diabetes, and crippling back pain at 23. I weighed my options (no pun intended!!). And Lap-Band was the best option for me. I do and did come to the realization that the band might not 'work' for me. So far, it's great. I have had to have a port revision surgery. I was devastated the day I realized I had to go back under the knife, and I am ALL self pay. So this was another blow. And by the way, the hospitals made me pay everything in advance. But I'm back on track and peachy keen again! Anyway, my big selling point was.. if this band doesn't work for me.. I can still get RNY. I'm not planning on the band failing, and I'm working it by taking each day one at a time, but if it ends up the band won't help me get to a 'normal' weight.. I will likely have the RNY. If I had RNY and RNY didn't help me, or knowing "What if.. I could have had the reversible, healthier, and more agreeable for having kids surgery.. but instead I jumped right into RNY and now I can't undo it", it would be much more complicated. For now, I am very happy with my decision this far! I think it was worth every penny so far. My crippling back pain is gone. I lived with it for 3 years at such a young age, and now.. poof. I would have paid $100,000 if someone said they could make that pain go away!!! And they do place the band at a 'specific' angle now, I'm not sure exactly how recent it is, but it is different from bands years ago.. and they use the extra stitches to help it heal in place. I'm sure even a year from now, something will come up that makes it less-riskier. C'est la vie. My doctor due to my port complication (his first port complication), now places all ports where he replaced mine at. And I have watched the band fail someone at my doctor's office. She hasn't lost hope, in fact I don't think she realizes.. or maybe this board is just full of quick losers LOL. She was banded January 2007.. when I went for my July fill, I was down about 40lbs at that point. She was gushing to all the other patients that she had lost 3lbs since surgery. I wouldn't be excited about that quite honestly. And she looked about my pre-band stature (120-150lbs overweight). When we left, my husband made the remark.. you have to choose to eat right if you want to lose with it, they told you guys that (duh). But he just realized all of a sudden how much I work my band ;D

I am in a similar situation, I was banded 5 years ago. I did great year one and was down 50+lbs and felt great, that's when the acid reflux began. Over the coarse of the last 4 years, I have had 4 upper endoscopies , several barium swallows, most showing nothing but reflux until last year. I had an END, last September which showed many hemorrhagic ulcerations, aka bleeding ulcers. Since then it has been a battle, acid, then pain, nausea, then diarrhea. Ugh!!! I am now set for the next upper endoscopy, having constant reflux and stomach pain, I am begging for a revision to the sleeve. I am tired of constant pain and aggravation. Bad part can't gently in for endoscopy for 2 weeks. I hope all goes well for you all and pm me if you want to talk.

I don't regret self-paying for my Band. It was $10,000... and I've spent maybe $4000 so far in fill costs. That sounds a lot, I know... but realistically, I've spent just as much on spas, diet doctors, infomerical wonder diets, exercise equipment, and personal trainers... and never achieved the success I did with my Band, even with all of its faults. Yeah, my Band crapped out on me after my first pregnancy (18 or so months after Banding)... but I had never lost 95 pounds before. It's been four years and three pregnancies since the mega unfill (I'm not counting fills since that I haven't been able to keep for more than a day)... and I'm keeping off 50 of the 95 pounds. Prior to the Band, the most I lost was 20 or so pounds by living at a vegan health spa for a month. Needless to say, I regained it all plus some within two weeks of entering the real world. :eek: I definitely think people discount/tune out info they don't want to hear. I also think that what risks one is willing to take... be they operative risks, long-term risks, or even financial risks... change over time. I'm glad that the Band was my first WLS experience. It is the easiest surgery to revise. Everythign is still in tact. Had I gone with a VBG (although most surgeons had stopped doing them at the time) or even an RNY... and was facing a revision, there would be a lot more risk and expense involved.

failedforme, I understand your frustration but as someone who was not self-pay I obviously can't totally relate. I don't think that the lap band helps everyone and weeding out who will do well and who won't is a very important step some surgeons/patients seem to be missing. I had the lap band and never did well except on Medifast prior to surgery and ended up gaining it all back and felt very depressed and like a failure due to it. I finally had mine removed but it was covered by insurance due to the GERD that the band caused and also due to failure to lose weight with the band after 14 months. I've now revised to RNY and have now chosen the correct procedure for me and it's working. I hope you can come to some resolve with your situation as I know how much stress and pain a failed WLS can cause a person. Good luck to you, Nancy.

Aw, sorry to hear that. When did you have your revision?

I vote other. I had no complications immediately post surgery. I am know dealing with late term complications to include a twisted sleeve, hiatal hernia, and terrible Gerd. My nexium now gets stuck. Everything gets stuck! I am revising to RNY soon.