November 2010 Bandsters - post op

[marketingdude 79]

Hello Nov. 2010 fellow bandsters,

I am struggling with my band and posting here, in case anyone has gone through a similar experience. I would welcome your help and suggestions/advice. Got my band 23 months ago now, Nov, 2010 and lost weight to goal within 6 months but struggled with frequent "issues". Kept getting unfills until a band slip in July 2011. All saline out and seemed to get better, but never got back to feeling the food pass through my band. Finally, in January of this year, had such major problems (couldn't get anything down besides liquids) so revision surgery was in order. Had band re-positioned and sutured in place, plus a hiatal hernia found and repaired. Did ok for a month or two, then started having frequent pain and discomfort even with a tiny bit of saline in my band, so all saline taken out in May 2012. Since then, nearly constant burping, reflux (especially bad at night), frequent stabbing pain between shoulder blades, general discomfort practically all the time. Upper GI (barium swallow) showed a bit of pouch dilation, some esophagus narrowing, but a properly positioned and fully open band. However, still suffering lots of discomfort all the time. Have kept at my goal weight, but am miserable from lack of sleep and nearly constant pain or discomfort. Tested for H. Pylori which came back positive, so did the antibiotic treatment, and suspected an ulcer, but no significant improvement after the medications were done. Family doctor has me on prescription meds for GERD, but it doesn't help much. Surgeon wants to try another surgical "repair". I know you aren't doctors, but I am hoping someone can relate and offer assistance. What finally solved the problems if you experienced something similar? Is it possible that a third surgery in less than two years will actually fix this or should I be pushing for band removal? Thank you in advance for any help.

#1 - Pray to God for Guidance and (in the meantime) pray that God would give wisdom to the doctors so they could provide the right solution for you that will correct your problem. You have not because you ASK NOT (through prayer) is what the Word says.

#2 Your health and saftey is #1 priority. It would be hard for me (who hasn't gotten the surgery yet) to guide you. But...if I lost all weight like you....(and despite the problems....you still really wanted to keep the band).....I would always error on the side of safety and get it removed.

Please know that I share this ....wanting you to KEEP THE BAND....(as I can feel your pain ...if you had to give it up). But saftey should be always priority #1. Because (after all) you are special and lovely in God's sight Sis

In closing...don't quit sis....my heart goes out for you. Know that you have us here to encourage and support you.

Warmest regards,

MD

[♥LovetheNewMe♥ 1,216]

Hello Nov. 2010 fellow bandsters,

I am struggling with my band and posting here, in case anyone has gone through a similar experience. I would welcome your help and suggestions/advice. Got my band 23 months ago now, Nov, 2010 and lost weight to goal within 6 months but struggled with frequent "issues". Kept getting unfills until a band slip in July 2011. All saline out and seemed to get better, but never got back to feeling the food pass through my band. Finally, in January of this year, had such major problems (couldn't get anything down besides liquids) so revision surgery was in order. Had band re-positioned and sutured in place, plus a hiatal hernia found and repaired. Did ok for a month or two, then started having frequent pain and discomfort even with a tiny bit of saline in my band, so all saline taken out in May 2012. Since then, nearly constant burping, reflux (especially bad at night), frequent stabbing pain between shoulder blades, general discomfort practically all the time. Upper GI (barium swallow) showed a bit of pouch dilation, some esophagus narrowing, but a properly positioned and fully open band. However, still suffering lots of discomfort all the time. Have kept at my goal weight, but am miserable from lack of sleep and nearly constant pain or discomfort. Tested for H. Pylori which came back positive, so did the antibiotic treatment, and suspected an ulcer, but no significant improvement after the medications were done. Family doctor has me on prescription meds for GERD, but it doesn't help much. Surgeon wants to try another surgical "repair". I know you aren't doctors, but I am hoping someone can relate and offer assistance. What finally solved the problems if you experienced something similar? Is it possible that a third surgery in less than two years will actually fix this or should I be pushing for band removal? Thank you in advance for any help.

Sorry for your troubles. I am 23 months out from my surgery, I personally have not had issues but I work with two who have and both have had there bands removed, both at about 3 years. One girl had struggles the entire time and never really lost weight and they considered her a band failure and removed the band and did the gastric sleeve on her. The other girl had very similar propblems to you, she did lose all her weight but had multiple issues along the way with reflux, GERDs, stuck episodes episodes, etc. They let out her band and left it alone for a while, than she gained 20 lbs so they put Fluid back in and she did well for a while but 2 months ago she started having pain all the time and was not able to eat anything. Xray showed the band had slipped, and had the pouch had developed a pocket. She decided to have the band removed but insurance will not pay for any other surgery becasue her BMI is in normal range. The only way she can have another band or procedure is if she gains her weight back. I know this must be very frustrating for you and it scares to read about this and know people it has happened to. If my doc told me he could possibly fix my band I think I would let him try, if your insurance will pay for the revision or you can afford it. I like you have had good weight loss success. My friends doctor also told her (he is my doc too) that he would never put a band back in her becasue once this starts to happen generally it continues to happen again and again. I wish you luck and success with your choice.