Not New To Lap Band, But Still Frustrated

[Gayla1313 0]

My name is Gayla and I have had the Lap Band since 2009. I have had some weight loss, but also a revision surgery, and severe gastritis and reflux. I have not been able to get a good adjustment in over a year and it is costing me a fortune as well as many gained pounds. It is extremely frustrating how difficult it is to find a doctor to perform adjustments, one little tidbit they forget to tell you when you are in the process of getting the surgery.

[adorkbl 156]

I am so sorry you are having a problem finding a good surgeon for follow-up. I am VERY fortunate to have found after care I LOVE. I had my surgery in another state since I am self pay, and in hindsight, I would never do that again. You are right, no one wants to touch you if they didn't operate on you.

I have severe esophagitis and a hiatal hernia right now. I am in the process of scheduling repair surgery. My surgeon will unhook my band during the repair, and the re-hook it. i am worried about not finding good restriction after the hernia repair. Right now I am doing really good with my restriction.

I hope you are able to find a good level! I have had my share of fills and unfills as well (24 fills, 8 unfills). A lot of them wasted due to a leak. It can be incredibly frustrating.

[Gayla1313 0]

I am sorry for your troubles as well. I am thinking about starting a support group for all the things your medical professionals don't or won't tell you about what to expect from having this surgery. There are things they don't think of even talking about since they have not had the surgery. I wish you well with your surgery.

[Cazzy 725]

One thing that can cause further problems with adjustments is putting weight on .. I understand that initially the band caused the problems but gaining weight will make the band fluctuate in tightness, the same as losing weight will slacken the band a little. Think of it like a belt, u gain weight the belt tightenes and u you put it on the next hole down, lose weight and the belt loosens and u need to tighten it ... I know its hard but gaining weight will cause all sorts of issues with your band and may even contribute to gastric type problems if u are eating the wrong type of food .. Try to start again on liquids mushies etc and give yourself a chance to get back to balancing things more .. good luck !

[Gayla1313 0]

Thank you for your suggestion. My problems started when my surgeon put in a little over 1cc during an adjustment which apparently was WAY TOO MUCH. It caused sever inflammation and irritation and at one point I couldn't even swallow my saliva. After about 6 months of the doctors telling me it was NOT caused by the lapband, hospitalizations, severe dehydration, and EGD'S, I finally went to another doctor and had him take out the 1cc of Fluid. My problems and pain immediately were relieved. I of course had no restriction at that point and being right before Christmas, I put on about 15 pounds since. I have had 3 adjustments since then at very small intervals of .2 or .3 of a cc per month, but still have no restriction. I have not gained anymore, but have not lost either which I suppose is better than continuing to gain. It is costing me about $150 per adjustment, but I hope I get to a good restriction point before I brake the bank.

[adorkbl 156]

Oh wow. I am surprised you suffered with a tight fill for 6 months. And surprised that the doctor didn't back out some of the fill right away when you had issues.

I spent one night spitting my saliva in a cup because of a too tight fill. It was one of the most miserable nights of my life. My surgeon got me in first thing the next morning and backed a smidge out. I was good to go.

My surgeon doesn't charge for a small unfill like that. Thankfully, since I am self pay. My fills cost me $100.

Small fills at this point are probably your best option considering you are probably close to your green zone. I know it is frustrating, and expensive. Hang in there!! Hopefully the next one will do the trick.