Band to.....

[naenae85 1]

I had the band in Feb 2011. Had to move the port in September 2011 and everything was good for about six months. Then went in for an unfill at which point the doctor retried for 45 mins to get the needle in and couldn't. He thought the port flipped. So a few days later I have an X-ray which confirms this. And he also did a barium swallow which showed the band had slipped some (I had issues with getting stuck at times. Thought it was because of the fill). Insurance covered the first surgery but in meantime my insurance changed and they wouldn't even cover the removal. I had the option to repair the band or take it out. I opted to have it taken out. I had lost 100 lbs at this point and was somewhat satisfied if I could have kept it there (I still had another 100 to lose but thought it was a good starting place). The band came out in August 2012 ($8k). Since then I have gained about 60 of it back.

I just learned that my insurance just started covering bariatrics. I can't have surgery in my hometown, it will be done approx 80 miles away since my local hospital isn't blue certified. I had done research and found that I wanted to get the sleeve. I did well with the restriction and having my intestines rerouted and an extra stomach just hanging out in there kinda freaks me out.

I had my first appt on Wednesday with the doctor. I have a list of tests to complete. About a third of the way through. But the doctor told me he strongly recommends by pass instead of sleeve. He said either way I have a higher risk of leakage (I knew that from research) but then he said also people lose better. Stating with bypass you lose 60% of excess where sleeve is 55% or so (even if I needed to lose 200 it's only a 10lbs difference). I do not normally have reflux only on rare occasion nothing needing more than one pill. Which he said is something that's extremely common with sleeve. Also he advised that since the bypass leaves the stomach he has more to work with if complications arise. He did say that he would do the sleeve if I was set on it. (My original surgeon who I trusted moved to Texas and I can't find him for a second opinion)

I cannot do artificial sweeteners or colors which limits most of my food anyway. At this point I'm completely confused. I feel more comfortable with the sleeve but he made me have doubts. And I can't wrap my head around the bypass with possible dumping etc.

Can any of you tell me your reasoning for going with the sleeve instead of bypass?

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Well, I was very open to either sleeve or bypass. My surgeon recommended the sleeve because I have a personal and family history of autoimmune disorders, and the sleeve lets you take a broader array of medications after surgery. But I have nothing against bypass -- it is considered the gold standard of weight loss surgery for a reason! My niece had bypass and some other people I know did as well. They have all lost pretty much all their excess weight and maintained well, all look great and healthy. I haven't noticed them having any digestive problems. There are also a bunch of people in my wls support group with bypass and they are all doing great. If your practice runs a support group, you may want to go and talk to people who have had both surgeries and see for yourself, in the flesh, how folks are doing and what they have to say. Good luck!

eta: I am not a band revision patient, hope it is okay that I chimed in!

Edited March 21, 2015 by Bufflehead

[gonnabethin 10]

I have had all 3- unfortunately. Got my band 2006 , broke twice 09, 12 and ater 6 years of fighting my beloved and hated band, I converted - at goal weight to a sleeve. After two years of horrible reflux, yes I had reflux before the band, I had a bypass. In hind sight...... I should have gone straight to bypass. Im irritated at the surgeon, he did all three so its not that it was different people who had no knowledge of my medical history. The bypass was not an option initally-- sleeve was preferred by the surgeon. The band improved the reflux, the sleeve unleashed it, the bypass stopped it forever. While you are fortunate insurance covers it, choose wisely as they may not again. My sleeve and my bypass were out of my pocket!

My advise would be go bypass and never look back!

Listen to the surgeons experience!! Med school and practice time are better experise and teachers than any of our forum and google M.D. Degrees that everyone seems compeled to practice.

Good luck to you!

[LSF 264]

I revised to the sleeve. Before I had the band in 2008, I had horrible reflux!! During band surgery , the surgeon told me I had a hiatal hernia which he repaired and reflux was gone. In my 5th year with the band I started getting a throbbing in my chest - after X-rays etc. I had reflux again so he removed some of my saline and I felt fine again but was already gaining my weight back. I was sleeved 2/4 - he repaired another hiatal hernia during surgery but this time I was getting reflux after the surgery. I bought an over the counter antacid, took it every night before bedtime and I was fine. Only did it for the first month. Now I only need it occasionally.

[Band07 374]

Any thoughts on the mini bypass ? I'm looking into this now and have been pretty impressed by what Iv found. I'm seriously considering it.