Band to be removed Thursday - Soooo Scared!

[Lisa_in_Texas 0]

Hello. I'm new. I'm having my band removed because it just keeps slipping after fills - OUCH!!! The Dr says either have it repositioned or removed. I've opted to have it removed because ever since I got the band in June 2004 I've gone from never getting sick to catching and hanging on to every big or small flu or cold that goes around. With each one, I just get more sick! The last stomach flu I had a few weeks ago, had me on the verge of going to the ER for quite a while from the severe pain.

Now surgery again! I am new here and have been reading about all the scar tissue scrapping etc. I am SO scared!!!

What are the complications of having this surgery to have it removed? Ahhh!

[GeezerSue 7]

I had my band removed as part of a revision to the Duodenal Switch (DS) surgery. My surgeon had done it before and the entire procedure--band out and DS done--was under two hours.

It is not "cartoon simple," as he put it, especially since yours is moving around...but I've heard of more erosion-related removal problems. good luck...

Sue

[garlandmom 0]

My band was removed 9/28. Yes, the surgery is a bit more complicated than when they place the band. I had lots of scar tissue and he had to do alot of clipping of that to remove the band. My surgery lasted about 2 hours total. Recovery was about the same as when the band was put in.

You may be one of the lucky people who doesn't grow much scar tissue, you just never know!

Good luck, I'm sure all will go smoothly!

[DomincanGirl 0]

Sorry you have to go through that .. I dont know much of anytbhing related to removing the port.

But I do wish you a smooth surgery & a quick recovery.

[ted12345 0]

So sorry it has come to this other than illness and slippage did you lose any weight??, What second WLS would you have if it was a option

[Iluvmyboys 1]

Lisa,

Good Luck.....everything will be just fine.....I am thinking of you. Let us know

how you are in a few days......take care.

[Constance 0]

Lisa, thinking of you and wishing you the best. Just relax, the pros will take good care of you! And we're here for you when you return!

[Lisa_in_Texas 0]

Hello. My band was successfully removed without complication on Thursday. I haven't felt this great in a really long time! I feel energetic, healthy and light as a feather. Isn't that odd? I have also completely lost my apetite and have been reminded to eat by my body when I feel faint. Now isn't that even more odd? I know what your thinking...what pain killers did they give me? Well, I actually have only taken them once so I could lay down better to sleep. I don't know what's going on, but I'm really happy about it all. I was sooo scared to go into surgery. Thank you to everyone who posted replies. It has made my day.

In hind sight, I think my body must have been rejecting the band from day one. ??? Well, now it's out and my body is very happy. Go figure!

Thank you again.

[Trace Curry 1]

Lisa,

I've taken out a few bands, all you have to do is expose a little bit of it, cut it, and pull it out. Last one I did took about 20 minutes.

Good luck,

Dr. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

Hello. I'm new. I'm having my band removed because it just keeps slipping after fills - OUCH!!! The Dr says either have it repositioned or removed. I've opted to have it removed because ever since I got the band in June 2004 I've gone from never getting sick to catching and hanging on to every big or small flu or cold that goes around. With each one, I just get more sick! The last stomach flu I had a few weeks ago, had me on the verge of going to the ER for quite a while from the severe pain.

Now surgery again! I am new here and have been reading about all the scar tissue scrapping etc. I am SO scared!!!

What are the complications of having this surgery to have it removed? Ahhh!

[Iluvmyboys 1]

Yup....that's right and it was me!! :confused: :Banane19: :huggie:

He is the best!!

[Alexandra 55]

Lisa, it's great to hear that your removal surgery was so successful! Congratulations on making the right decision for your health, and best of luck for continued good news.

This is precisely one of the scenarios I considered when I was thinking about being banded. If it "didn't work out" for whatever reason, there were relatively simple remedies for that. And once the band is removed, for the most part the patient is "good as new." Complications, even minor ones, arising from RNY or DS could easily involve repeated surgeries or permanent issues of one sort or another. The band is the gentlest surgical approach for bariatric treatment currently used, and that's why I selected it. Other options can always be tried later, if necessary.

Best of luck to you once again, Lisa, and thanks so much for posting to let us know how you're doing!!

[ted12345 0]

Lisa, it's great to hear that your removal surgery was so successful! Congratulations on making the right decision for your health, and best of luck for continued good news.

This is precisely one of the scenarios I considered when I was thinking about being banded. If it "didn't work out" for whatever reason, there were relatively simple remedies for that. And once the band is removed, for the most part the patient is "good as new." Complications, even minor ones, arising from RNY or DS could easily involve repeated surgeries or permanent issues of one sort or another. The band is the gentlest surgical approach for bariatric treatment currently used, and that's why I selected it. Other options can always be tried later, if necessary.

Best of luck to you once again, Lisa, and thanks so much for posting to let us know how you're doing!!

Thats kinda not true!

secondry surgeries can be complicated and expencive having a band seeing how it goes if it dosn't work oh well pay for something else.

WLS if a lifetime commitment why would you even enter it thinkng it might fail! Surly andy good DS or RNY is more value for money they do there job and they last the lifetime you commited to changin.

I dont get that at all im kinda finding more and more medical evidence and reports and medical opinions, research that to opt for a second procedure puts you at higher risk of complications.

http://www.julieellnermd.com/gastric-bypass-vs-band.cfm

I hope the link works, But i have about 100 links that say simler things the band is just not doing what it was expected to long term and secondry procedures are risky business.

[Alexandra 55]

Thats kinda not true!

secondry surgeries can be complicated and expencive having a band seeing how it goes if it dosn't work oh well pay for something else.

WLS if a lifetime commitment why would you even enter it thinkng it might fail!

That's not at all what I did. I just took the (I think very reasonable approach) that less intervention is the best way to start. As a healthy person who needed serious help to eat less over the long term, banding seemed to me to be a great tool for that purpose. And it has proved to be one, for me, so far.

I'm very encouraged by all the people I see who have had to have their bands removed for one reason or another and who can then move on to life without a band, rebanding, or another bariatric surgery. Of course repeated surgeries are not without risk; the FIRST surgery wasn't without risk and I'm dead set against having any more unless they're absolutely necessary. But I continue to believe that for lots of people--like me--banding is safest, gentlest, and can be very effective as a first choice for bariatric surgery.

[barbara465 2]

The good thing about the band is it is reversible. You can have it removed if complications or other issues come about. The gastric bypass is a permanent change to your internal plumbing so to speak. It was not a choice for me. My doctor's wouldn't endorse that, but the band was OK. It is a viable choice for many of us, and if the worse happens, it can be removed.

[ted12345 0]

Thats the PONT!

If WLS is for life Why would you want it reversed? It only needs revisonal surgery if its going wrong and the complications again are rare and if like happen very early days. Unlike the band most people experience probs around 18 months to 2 years. It can be devastateing if the band has been great then suddenly slippes and needs removing. Not every one is likely to keep the weight off!

You ONLY usually have the band removed when there is complications and the long term chance of complications are way higher with a band than any other method of WLS. A Doc will endourse the band if thats all there doing and most general practioners dont know enough about anything so have a say eather way. (in a specialist manner)

A Specialsit bariatric surgeon should be skilled in all the surgeries and should have enough experience to assess a patient and there suitablility for what ever procedure. The patient should of course consult with the surgeon and heed the surgeons advice.

This less invasive and reverasble thing is sooo repetative it seems like the laimest excusess for a band i have ever heard. It says you expect it to fail and when it does its easy to fix. Whats the point in entering into a lifetime commitment to change with the expoectation its likely to fail.

All surgeries to some extent are reversable. The band completely reversabe and usually with that there is a very high chance the weight will regain. Thats prob one of the sole reasons why lots of insurance companies in the US dont fund banding and lots of people have to fight for it. Surly that tellls you something!

i seriously cannot see why you would ever want it reversed if things are going well. And in most bypass cases things go well like the stats say there is higher complications probs with a band than any other method of WLS so again if this are going great why would you consider revision?