OLD Molina Bander Hoping for Gastric Sleeve revision

Texy · July 19, 2015

Hi Everyone!

I’m a newbie and this is my first post. I’m 63y/o and probably one of the oldest living that still has a Molina Band in place. The surgery was in 1985 and that sucker has been useless since about 1988. It did work for the first couple of years or so….I lost about 75lbs. I went back to Molina in 1988 to see if anything could be done and he just humiliated me. He made it all out to be my fault and insisted I had abused the band and not followed the instructions. He said I needed to have a revision and a new band put in place. I declined, left his office in tears, felt I had failed and it was all my fault. From that day forward, I worked like crazy from one diet to another and managed to keep most of the weigh off until I hit menopause………. slowly all the weight came back and more.

I never had the serious medical issues with the Molina Band like many others had. For me, it just stopped working and in some ways, I was relieved. I was so tired of all the “stuck” episodes, the pain, staying up all night, pacing the floor and trying to throw up….I never ever want anything like that, again. Back in 2002 I was considering the “stomach stapling” weight loss procedure. My primary doc sent me for a upper GI…no restrictions, at all and it appeared the Molina Band was probably held on by adhesions. The radiologist said I was one of the lucky ones because so many Molina Bands were removed by emergency surgery. The surgeon “freaked out” about the Molina Band and would only consider it by doing two separate “open” surgical procedures. I was not willing to be “cut open” twice so I gave up on having any type of revision surgery, until now.

Back in 1985 I had the Molina Band surgery because I wanted to be skinny, now…….. things are very different. My reasons for surgery, now are all health related. I have very high blood pressure that has been difficult to control, chronic sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint aches and pre-diabetic. I’m on so much blood pressure medicine I can barely function. I retired early, last year because I just didn’t have the energy to keep working. I’ve changed blood pressure meds several times during the past year and the awful side effects have just about turned me into an invalid. I want off all the meds and I just want my life back.

Do I have a chance for a revision to a gastric sleeve? I’m told maybe……. because my band was done in 1985 when Molina was using a material that is much easier to remove than the mesh band he used in the 90’s and I haven’t had the complications that many others had....I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

I’m very grateful for this website. I appreciate all the info and I love the success stories and before & after pics. I really need that now because I’m very scared, nervous and anxious. I get so happy and feel so hopeful after reading all the success the posters are having and then I end up in tears because I’m so afraid it will not happen for me. My emotions are just all over the place.

Thanks for being here……

Texy

katybelle7 · July 20, 2015

Texy, I don't have answers for you, but want you to know you're not alone in this crazy process! I have a LapBand that has created a hernia and have decided to have it removed and go thru gastric sleeve surgery. I'm 67 and have had my band for 7 years. It's doing me absolutely no good, causes pain so hopefully I'm doing the right thing. I lost 60 pounds with the band, and have gained it all back. I still have two tests to go and will have surgery around 9/1/15. I must say, my doctor didn't say anything about my age when I spoke to him, which surprised me, nor have any of the specialists I've been sent to. Hopefully your current doctor is informative and compassionate this time around. Best of luck with whatever decision you make!

Texy · July 20, 2015

Hi katybelle7,

Thanks for the response. Yes, I'm very nervous about my first meeting with the surgeon. I hope my age is not an issue, I've worried about that, too. At this point, all he knows is my name, age and insurance info. He has no knowledge of my extensive past history with the Molina Band and that's what I'm really afraid of. I haven't found anyone that's had a revision after having a band in place for 30yrs. I really dread the endoscopy and finding out what shape my stomach & esophagus are in. Thanks for the support.

Texy