Lap Band issue and possible revision

[Paultx 0]

I need some advice and opions.

I had the lap band back in 2005 I have the VG band. I went from 436lb to 239lb back in 2008 I stopped feeling restrictions. I started seeing a different doctor then the one that did the surgery and was determined there was a issue witht he band it took 2 years to convince the doctor that there was a issue it was thought to be that I had a leak. In December of 2010. They went in found that the port became unstiched and the port was reveresed. Since having this fixed I have been going in for fills and not feeling any restriction it was found that there is a leak again. I have now almost gained back 100lb. I went to Dr Barker and he suggested to have a revision surgery to the Gastric Bypass. Or if I want to keep the band to replace it. It did say that there is a 35% to 40% failure rate with the band of either the port or the band itself and within 5 years most people have surgery to fix the band or remove the band. I have read the same result from different medical websites.

I have to admit I am scared of getting the gastric bypass because of complications and seeing other people I know having it and gaining weight back. Has anyone experienced the same issue? Have you had the band replaced and successfully lost weight again after it was replaced. The gastric bypass is covered under my insurance and the gastric sleeve is not. Not sure if the duodenal switch is covered. I know someone that has this and they have about 10 bowel movements a day. Not really interested in that.

What do you suggest?

Thanks

Paul

[whitetiger011680 11]

First of all, I'm sorry to hear you have had so many complications, but it does seem to me that your body may be rejecting the band you have and if that is the case it may do the same with another band, but then again, band have been upgraded and maybe a new one would work. Now, that being said, I am not a doctor so the best advice I can give is do your research. Check out all aspects of the bypass. You're off to a good start coming here and asking questions. Keep asking. Anything you can think of. That way you can make a well informed decision of what's best for you. My dad had the GB and he lost 100lbs in the first 6-8 months. Then he stalled and has since gained back everything. He still eats small portions, but he eats whatever he wants and eats all day. He never has that full feeling like I have with the lapband. I can eat a small portion and be satisfied, completely not hungry at all for several hours. He does not have 10 bowel movements a day, just the opposite. Has Constipation problems. He takes a handful of pills everyday to make sure he gets all the nutrients he supposed to since his insides were re-routed and that causes malabsorption which is supposed to cause the weight loss that he is still struggling with.

I am not trying to persuade you in either direction, just stating some facts to help you with you decision.Good Luck. I hope it works out for you.

[Michelle Grove Cozbey 0]

I need some advice and opions.

I had the lap band back in 2005 I have the VG band. I went from 436lb to 239lb back in 2008 I stopped feeling restrictions. I started seeing a different doctor then the one that did the surgery and was determined there was a issue witht he band it took 2 years to convince the doctor that there was a issue it was thought to be that I had a leak. In December of 2010. They went in found that the port became unstiched and the port was reveresed. Since having this fixed I have been going in for fills and not feeling any restriction it was found that there is a leak again. I have now almost gained back 100lb. I went to Dr Barker and he suggested to have a revision surgery to the Gastric Bypass. Or if I want to keep the band to replace it. It did say that there is a 35% to 40% failure rate with the band of either the port or the band itself and within 5 years most people have surgery to fix the band or remove the band. I have read the same result from different medical websites.

I have to admit I am scared of getting the gastric bypass because of complications and seeing other people I know having it and gaining weight back. Has anyone experienced the same issue? Have you had the band replaced and successfully lost weight again after it was replaced. The gastric bypass is covered under my insurance and the gastric sleeve is not. Not sure if the duodenal switch is covered. I know someone that has this and they have about 10 bowel movements a day. Not really interested in that.

What do you suggest?

Thanks

Paul

[Michelle Grove Cozbey 0]

I had the band placed in Dec 2008,Removed Nov 2010-I had numerous surgeries and revisions in between those two dates-my incisions never healed from the original surgery-they thought it was a post surgical infection, i was packing wounds for 2 years before they decided to just take out the band.I had a serious erosion problem-The lap-Band almost killed me-I am still recovering from that-I was in and out of the hospital for months-this last July i went to USC where they discovered several leaks to the back of my stomach-they had to remove the fundus of my stomach i also developed many other problems all stemming from the Lap-Band. The GI surgeon-specialist at USC stated that he would never place a lap-band in any one unless their life was seriously threatened-he stated that the gastric sleeve is a much safer way to go.Lap-Band is a foreign object and it can cause erosion.

[JustFluffy 122]

I had my band placed in April 2008. I lost a little over 60 pounds in the first six months. I had to have port revision because my port had flipped after surgery, but once corrected I had no other issues the first year. The honeymoon phase was wonderful! In the next two years, I ended up with acid reflux and esophagus issues, port complications, weight regain (and then some). I moved and had to find a new "band doctor", which by the way isn't an easy task. We were only able to do one fill due to my port being so deep and found out later stitched to my rib under my left breast (long story).

I had RNY revision in August of this year. I'm down 49 pounds since surgery. I did my research and knew there would be higher risks with a revision surgery. RNY (like the band), isn't a cure to weight loss. It too is a tool. The first 18 months you are almost guaranteed to lose weight, due to re-routing and malabsorption. After that time hopefull we have learned to eat right and have a new lifestyle. It is usually after that time period if we go back to our old habits, we will probably regain the weight. It has its pros and cons...but for me it has been worth it. I'm not in pain anymore, I don't nor can I "eat around it", I don't get the elepant on my chest feeling like I did with the band with almost every meal...it doesn't allow you to cheat! Vitamins and supplements are a must the rest of your life.

I was on my way to an early grave - even with the band. I regained all weight I'd lost with the band, plus twenty pounds - on top of that my esophagus had all but stopped working. Reflux was horrible (with reflux I should never have been banded - big no no). I was literally in the worse shape of my life three months ago. I can say since then I've had some tough moments. I mean, the surgery was a b***h to recover from...not a picnic - was tough but worth it :-)

Do your research, go in with your eyes wide open and adopt a glass is half empty regarding research...I think you should always prepare for the worse and hope for the best!