Band was a huge mistake?

[Rebeccaabrooks86 269]

I got banded in August 2014 liking the idea it wasn't permanent because I wasn't sure I would be able to adapt to the lifestyle changes. I have had 3 fills and am now at 8 CCs. I am in the green zone. I eat small portions and chew well. I joined a gym, own an exercise bike, and do yoga. I exercise most days 30-50 minutes. Since August I have had a fluctuating loss of 14-22 lbs. I get stuck on virtually all solid food. I had lost 120 lbs on my own before and regained it. Right now I have about 45 lbs to lose to get to my goal. I believe I need assistance and really wish I had chose the sleeve. I want something permanent that will be with me forever. I am dedicated to this lifestyle. My surgeon knows how frustrated I am with my standstill weight loss and regurgitation issues. I am going for a barium swallow to see how the band is, this is my surgeons first step in the revision process. Then we meet and discuss the revision but I'm a little worried he won't do it because he'll want me to give the band a longer shot. Thanks for letting me vent!!!

[bobbyswife 862]

Advocate for yourself! I hope you get your revision!

[GummyTummy 154]

If he won't help you, find someone that will. It is not normal or healthy to be spitting up stomach contents constantly. From everything I have read, band is not the answer to long term weight issues and often results in serious complications. Good luck. You deserve to be happy and healthy.

[steelemagnolia 7]

Rebecca, We are all different and we all respond differently. It sounds as though you have poured everything you have into this. Don't beat yourself up. I had my band in Dec. 2008. I lost from 230 llbs. to 170. I was thrilled! BUT, on New Years Eve, 2009, I found out that I had breast cancer. On top of that, I could hardly walk because of no cartiledge in my knees. I went through the radiation (Thank God, it was found in a mammogram early!) Then my mother had emergency surgery. My sister was acting strange and we found out that she had brain cancer. She lived until March 2010. Many family tragedy's happened over the next 2 years. My doc had to remove all Fluid from band because of scar tissue. I still need to have the problem fixed, but I had to have knee replacement and then a hip replacement last year. I am now 67 years old. With absolutely no Fluid, I still get choked swallowing med's. I still get choked a LOT! I am sharing all this because I still want to live and be mobile. I still want to go on cruises! I still want to live a happy life! If the doc agree's, I would love to go from band to sleeve. As the Monty Python movie say's "I'M NOT DEAD YET! PUT ME DOWN, I'M NOT DEAD YET!" LOL

I pray that you will continue to thrive and be HAPPY! Please keep me posted!

Merry Christmas! Shirley

[LSF 264]

You might have a problem getting your insurance to cover it. Some companies will only cover it once

[Rebeccaabrooks86 269]

Ended up in the ER tonight due to Band. Luckily my doc met me there. He is completely on board with me getting the sleeve and I've started my Pre OP tests and have my next appt 1/15. My insurance will cover it with proof that I sufficiently tried the band which shouldn't be an issue. So happy I will be moving on to the sleeve. Thank you! Thank you!

[LSF 264]

What happened that you had to go to the ER?

[Rebeccaabrooks86 269]

My Dr told me to meet him in the ER so he could remove my band Fluid. I called him at about 5 pm. It was the third day I had been unable to keep anything down. They gave me IV Fluids and Zofran for nausea. I have had issues getting stuck constantly since my band was Unfilled. My dr says I have spasms of the esophagus. I took a barium swallow test and it showed me getting stuck. My Dr is fully on board with me getting the revision and I see him on the 15th, he wants to order some more tests for the insurance but says it shouldn't be an issue as I have been getting fills, going to the nutritionist, support groups, gym, etc and following protocol.