Un-fill Lapband before Sleeve Surgery?

[RAAinNH 113]

I just started a second bariatric program to have my lap-band removed and to have Sleeve surgery. It will be a few months before I meet the surgeon. My question is how long before Sleeve surgery should I have my lap-band un-filled? I'm thinking it would be a good idea to go head and have the un-fill now to save time.

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

I did not have to have my band unfilled before surgery.

[RAAinNH 113]

Thanks for your reply... Did you have your band removed and Sleeve surgery at the same time?

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

Yes I did no complications I sailed right through.

[popsicle_20721 27]

same here. lapband removed at same time I was sleeved. Had some complications, but not sure if it was associated with the ban removal or just my reaction to the surgery. Things are much better now.

[apricotsmommy 23]

We lessened but did not unfill my band. I think I went to 2.6 cc from 4.1. I was having trouble with vomiting and was at that level for about three months before we did my revision. It was all in one procedure. He would have done it without the unfill, but the unfill was what made me decide on the revision.

I did have a complication with an infection in the incision where the port was, but to be honest I would still do the all in one procedure again, even with the surgery to fix the infection and abscess. My opinion is that was an unlucky and rare thing, not a deterrent to doing both in one shot.

[Kristina J. 581]

I had my band unfilled this week, 2 months before surgery, but it was only because I had dilation and prolapse. I needed to have it unfilled to avoid the complications I already had leading to more, and to let the dilation heal before surgery. If I hadn't had those problems, I wouldn't have needed to unfill my band either.

Side note... going from full to completely empty can have some rough side effects for a little while... crazy gas pains, upset stomach and excess gas "release" lol It's not a comfortable process, at least it never has been for me (this is my 2nd complete unfill) or other banded patients I know that had to be completely unfilled. Unless your surgeon suggests it, I wouldn't worry about it. It will only increase your odds of gaining weight before surgery. I can already tell how much more I can eat and am struggling with keeping my hunger in line with my diet! It's going to be a long 2 months! lol I'd definitely avoid it if you can help it!

[cattrebold 0]

Hi

I was banded two years ago (February) and lost 45 pounds almost immediately. I got pregnant in April (big surprise) and all was fine until this past summer when I started getting filled again. I could never find the "sweet spot" again and was constantly struggling with too tight or no restriction at all. About a month ago my band started to feel tighter every day ( I hadn't been adjusted since October), then about 2 weeks ago it became so tight I couldn't eat anything and drinking was almost impossible. All accompanied with sever reflux and pain in my chest. Went to see my surgeon and he suspected a slip. So he took out 2 mls ( have about 2 left in) and scheduled an upper GI for me tomorrow. We have decided to remove the band regardless and do a revision surgery. I am opting for the band and he is willing although his recommendation is to do the bypass.

My question is what was the perpetrating needed prior to surgery? I hope to have both done at the same time and want to do everything in my power to make my stomach ready for that to happen. He says he won't be able to determine if this is possible until he is in there. I would also like to know how long the surgery took for the removal and revision? How is the recovery different from the band surgery? I have three children (one 15 month old) and just want to be prepared.

I am so excited about this new journey. I truly feel this is the right thing. I wish I had done the sleeve first but my insurance wasn't covering it then.

Thanks for your advice and input!

Cathy

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I wouldn't go back to the band.. EVER! If you slipped once it could mean probably future problems too. The band has a vast more complications than any wls and if you have a choice then research and research.

My sleeve surgery was a breeze. Out of all my band surgeries I had one that was a lot worse than my sleeve. The others were easy as my sleeve.. As if I never even had surgery

[Kristina J. 581]

We have decided to remove the band regardless and do a revision surgery. I am opting for the band and he is willing although his recommendation is to do the bypass.

My question is what was the perpetrating needed prior to surgery? I hope to have both done at the same time and want to do everything in my power to make my stomach ready for that to happen. He says he won't be able to determine if this is possible until he is in there. I would also like to know how long the surgery took for the removal and revision? How is the recovery different from the band surgery? I have three children (one 15 month old) and just want to be prepared.

I'm thinking when you wrote that you were "opting for the band" that you meant sleeve! If so, there are a bunch of threads about why sleeve is better than bypass in all our (biased) opinions, so I won't beat that dead horse! Lol

I am pre-op but am going through a lot of the preparations (again, assuming that was the word you meant) now. Different doctors will have different requirements before doing a revision. My doctor requested I empty my band at least 2 weeks ahead of surgery because of my dilation and prolapse. After speaking with him I decided to go ahead and empty it 2 months ahead of time to give my stomach plenty of time to heal before surgery to raise my chances of a single surgery revision! I also need to do an Upper GI and Endoscopy before surgery to examine my stomach and band before surgery to help give an idea of potential issues and band placement.

For time of surgery and recovery, I can't really answer as a pre-op patient, however, the answers I have gotten from others was that it took anywhere from 1.5-4 hours depending on each individuals situation. And as far as recovery, it appears pretty comparable to straight sleeve surgeries, with the exception of some complaining about pain where their port used to be!

Hope that helps some. Antiband's posts have really helped me as I've been getting prepared (yes, I've been lurking and stalking lol). Maybe look back through her posts as well as some of the other successful band to sleeve revisions around here!! Good luck!!!!

[cattrebold 0]

Lol. Yes I meant the sleeve and yes I meant preparation. (Darn keyboard is too small on my phone). Thank you for the advice. I am stalking like crazy as well . Very helpful posts and information. Good luck to you!!!

[Kristina J. 581]

Lol. Yes I meant the sleeve and yes I meant preparation. (Darn keyboard is too small on my phone). Thank you for the advice. I am stalking like crazy as well . Very helpful posts and information. Good luck to you!!!

I figured lol I do most of my posting/reading from my phone as well! Lol Darn autocorrect!!

[mel0306 3]

I had my lapband unfilled for a month prior to the sleeve. My surgeon wanted my stomach to heal before he did the surgery. I gained 15lbs...grrrr. I did great with the lapband, I lost 130 lbs within the first 2 years and had it for 6 years. My stomach stretched though

[cattrebold 0]

I had my lapband unfilled for a month prior to the sleeve. My surgeon wanted my stomach to heal before he did the surgery. I gained 15lbs...grrrr. I did great with the lapband' date=' I lost 130 lbs within the first 2 years and had it for 6 years. My stomach stretched though <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

When did you have your sleeve done?

[JWL08 0]

For those of you that had revisions, did your insurance cover it? I did very well with my band (lost 100 lbs and was at my goal weight) then got pregnant. As we refilled post pregnancy, it took lots of tries to get it right, and although I lost some weight, it didn't seem the same. Then I got a REALLY BAD flu bug, violent vomiting and all. Called the doc when I couldn't keep anything but broth down (waited waaaay too long to call) and he said it likely slipped. So now I have to have a complete unfill on Friday without knowing for sure if Personal Choice will cover a revision and change to the sleeve or bypass. When I called my insurance company, they said it'd be based upon my doctor deeming it medically necessary, and dependent upon the "coding" as to whether or not it'd be covered. Did anyone get denied for revision? I don't have $25,000 for self pay... not even close. Thanks for the feedback. I can't imagine living in this body after living in a healthy one.