Lap Band Removed Through Esophagus?

[gingersnap 11]

My Doctor wants to remove my band! He wants to try a newer procedure of removing the band through my esophagus which requires an incision in my stomach. Has anyone heard of this or experienced this procedure? I'm heading to my Dr. tomorrow because I have not been able to keep any fluids down for 5 days and I have no fill. I know when I go into see the doc tomorrow he is going to want to remove it ASAP. I'm scared about life without the band and I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I have Tricare Prime and I'm leaning towards the VSG procedure if they will approve it. I've lost 140lbs with the band and don't think I'm strong enough to keep the weight off without help.

[elcee 3,341]

Your band sits outside your stomach/oesophagus. Presumably this means he will need to make an incision in that area and then pull the band into the oesophagus and out. I can't see the advantage myself. It is not as though it is going to be incision free and presumably he is still going to have to cut you abdominally to remove the port. I would have thought taking it out the same way it went in would be the easier and preferable option.

[Nechama L 4]

I definitely agree with elcee. You didnt mention if you had a barium swallow or anything like that to see what exactly is going on with the band. Did it slip? If so, maybe they can fix it without having to take it out? Either way, good luck tomorrow and make sure you make as informed a decision as you can...

[gingersnap 11]

I had the same thoughts...take it out the same way it went in. However he suggests that it is a newer way that has more advantages than the older way. I have a lot of questions for my doc but wanted to see if anyone has experienced this or had more information.

Your band sits outside your stomach/oesophagus. Presumably this means he will need to make an incision in that area and then pull the band into the oesophagus and out. I can't see the advantage myself. It is not as though it is going to be incision free and presumably he is still going to have to cut you abdominally to remove the port. I would have thought taking it out the same way it went in would be the easier and preferable option.

[gingersnap 11]

My doc is not a big lapband fan as the European studies and current US studies are showing high failure rates over time, so the option of revision or replacement is out of the question with this doc. I have had a CT scan, Fluro/barium swallow, and endoscopy over the past three months. They believe my band has tightened due to scarring of the stomach lining.

I definitely agree with elcee. You didnt mention if you had a barium swallow or anything like that to see what exactly is going on with the band. Did it slip? If so, maybe they can fix it without having to take it out? Either way, good luck tomorrow and make sure you make as informed a decision as you can...

[Mimilou2004 13]

Ginger, will Tricare pay for the VSG?

Mimi

[gingersnap 11]

VSG is not likely to be covered by Tricare, but I don't need the RNY as I am close to goal. I'll have to wait for Tricare to cover it. Hopefully they are close? Are you tricare? Any experiences with getting Tricare to cover VSG?

My doc is not a big lapband fan as the European studies and current US studies are showing high failure rates over time, so the option of revision or replacement is out of the question with this doc. I have had a CT scan, Fluro/barium swallow, and endoscopy over the past three months. They believe my band has tightened due to scarring of the stomach lining.

[Mimilou2004 13]

I am tricare (standard) and it is hard to interpret the rule...and supposedly new rules are being formulated. I do hope they cover the sleeve soon. My surgeon already said if I slip again he can't fix it. The way Tricare reads now the only option is RNY and I don't want that.

Mimi

[gingersnap 11]

Update: The band was removed Tuesday evening the same way it went in. I guess if the band had eroded they could have removed it through the stomach and out the esophagus. But now I have to learn to live without the band.

I had the same thoughts...take it out the same way it went in. However he suggests that it is a newer way that has more advantages than the older way. I have a lot of questions for my doc but wanted to see if anyone has experienced this or had more information.

[cheryl2586 3,053]

Well be grateful you had the option of getting it out versus some horrible thing happening. If mine ever needs to come out I will gladly tell them take it odios amigo and I will live fine without it.