Lap Band Users Switching To Sleeve

[lmitchell40* 5]

Hello everyone,

My questions are for those of you who tried the lap band first and now being sleeved was there a problem with your lap band? why did it not work for you? or were there complications and lap band had to be removed?

I am still torn between which surgery to have initially I was going to do the Sleeve surgery schedule 6/20 but I am now back tracking to the lap band. The reason being I just hate the thought of having surgery and lap band just seems to have less complications.

Please offer any comments are advise

Lee

[herewegoagain 15]

My band was placed slightly high. I couldn't tolerate fills, very many foods and vomited frequently. Then, it slipped and was on the esophagus. The esophagus was almost eroded when they surgically removed the band. It was removed one year ago. My VSG is scheduled for 6/27/12. Good luck !

[jhansen71 257]

Um, let's see...I was banded in 2009 and the most I lost was 40 lbs. I never found the supposed "sweet spot" and had multiple fills. food always got stuck and i vomited often. I had the fill removed to go through fertility and gained all the weight back and then some. My port area hurt all the time and I was frankly tired of paying $300 every time for the fills, never to reach the right amount of restriction. I had my revision surgery on 3/13/12 and have already lost 42.6 lbs and I'm only sad I didn't do THIS surgery in 2009 rather than the band. I would never recommend the band to anyone because of my own experience and frankly I just haven't met many people where it worked for them. Good luck with your decision.

[BeanieandRosie'smom 31]

Hi lmitchell40!

Where to start!? I would STRONGLY suggest weighing all your options before getting the lap band. I am two years out and ten pounds over my starting weight! Aside from that I have had issue after issue...

First big negative: fills. They cost a fortune ($150-300 per fill). You will need several fills. Until then, you will basically have little to no restriction.

Next, you cannot tolerate many "healthy" foods. No matter how hard I tried, chewed slowly and ate carefully, I could never eat any fibrous vegetables (celery, peppers, broccoli, etc...) nor fruits such as apples, oranges, pears, grapes, even bananas. bread was completely out and Pasta was the worst. The band makes it so you are unable to eat "everything in moderation." (Or very small portions). It restricts what kinds of foods you eat and makes it very hard to get your Protein in. Lean hamburger and chicken were always hard for me.

I have been filled, and unfilled more times than I can count. One day you can eat a steak, the next day you're throwing up yogurt. Oh yes! The sliming! The very best part of the band. If you don't tolerate what you've just swallowed, it will

Come right back up into your mouth. This made it impossible togo out to eat. Very embarrassing in social situations! I once had an enchilada bite burst through my mouth at dinner with friends. Agh!

You never ever eat in the morning. No matter how hungry you are it is sooo hard because you are always tight in the morning.

My lap band caused scar tissue in my esophagus from regurgitating my food so much. Getting something stuck is the worst. The pain is like your esophagus is bursting open. :{

I lost about 30lbs initially, and then gained it all back plus more. I have heard so many stories like mine. The band does not eliminate hunger at all for me, so after I've puked up a healthy meal, I turn to ice cream and candy to fill me up. (Slider foods).

I have the smaller Allergan Lap-Band. I have heard others with a larger band do better. But, I just found out that my surgeon's patient coordinators (who all initially had the band) have now had a revision to the sleeve aside for one who is having problems with hers.

I could never live with myself condoning this horrible thing that's in my body! The port site has a gigantic scar and it's constantly sore. Go to the band to sleeve revisions forum and read, read, read.

I hope and pray you are able to find the right solution for you-just had to give my two cents about the band. I don't want anyone suffering through like I and many others have only to feel like a failure.

Best of luck to you!! Please message me if you have more questions!!

Erika

[BeanieandRosie'smom 31]

I almost forgot, I just had to have an endoscopy last Thursday to check on my band. It is currently drained. (Just got a bill for $250 dollars from the unfill in March!) turns out my band has now migrated to the top of my stomach. I can't wait to get it out.

Also, I re-read my post--wasnt worded very clearly--the patient facilitator I mentioned was the only one who still has her band, and she is currently having problems with it. :/

Erika

[lmitchell40* 5]

Thanks everyone for sharing a piece of your journey with me; I really do have a lot to continue to think about…..I feel like this decision has consumed my life…..

Thanks again for your help!