My story from lap band to gastric bypass

[ShrinkingMeme 18]

Hi all so I had the lap band placed Jan of 2011. Slowly was getting fills each month trying to get to the "sweet spot". Got down to 220 from hw of 275. Well in Oct went in for my monthly fill and it ended up being to much but I could still eat some things so I was going to try and take it easy until my next apt in Nov 3 weeks latter. Well the Sunday before my apt I got so stuck I couldn't swallow my own silva. So to the ER I went and they did an emergency unfill of about 5 cc's. Went in that following we'd for my scheduled apt and they put 3 cc's back in now that the swelling had gone down. 2 weeks latter I get my bill for both ER visit and fill apt and my insurance did not cover the unfill or the fill so that was $300 for the ER visit $250 per fill unfill. I could not afford that so I did not go back to get another fill for a few months I think it was Jan get 2 more cc's so now I'm back up to 7 cc's out of a 10 cc band. Go back in Feb get .5 cc's and am almost back to where I was when it started. Well in the few months of being at only 5 cc's I gain like 20 lbs back. Sill not covered by insurance so wait another year. 2013 get .3 cc's and now I'm am at 7.8 cc's. Still gained weight during this. And have always dealt with stuck episodes very often. My family got very used to me having to leave the table to go PB. I thought it was because of my teeth. I only had 1 molar and the 4 front top teeth to chew with all bottom btw.

Spring forward to this year Jan I got my teeth fixed so now I have a full head of teeth and can chew better. Still having stuck episodes often. So jump to July 2016 teeth are healed well and I make an apt to get a fill. Go in and am told that they have found problems with the lapband and it causes the esophagus to dilate. So have to go for an upper GI. That looks good but no real restriction. Well at my apt I talked to my Dr about of this doesn't work wanting to go for a revision to Gastric bypass. She calls me the day after the upper GI and we talked and decided that my body is not seeming to be tolerating the band and with all my issues and the issues they have seen with the band to go ahead and start the process for the revision. Aug I decided I wanted to see if a slight unfill would help with some of the pain I am experiencing and thinking I might be experiencing silent reflux. So make another apt for Sept 8th. She tries to do the unfill but my port is angled and she can't get it so now I have to have it done under flora scope. And she wants me to have an EDG. Just had both apt this last tues Sept 20th. The dr that did the EDG found my z-line to be irregular did a biopsy and diagnosed me with GERD. so now here I sit waiting till Oct 19th for my second new patient apt and to start the process all over. And waiting for the biopsy results.

Thanks for the support

Love ShrinkingMeme

[thisisthenewme 358]

Hi ShrinkingMeme! Wow your story sounds very similar. I got my band aug 2011. Did very well for the first year. The company I went through, private pay, went bankrupt. Was still doing well the next year. Went from 282 to 210. Meet my husband and put on a couple pounds, lol! Then a year later we we married and then pregnant right away! While pregnant I started to get very bad issues with food being stuck. Just dealt with it for 18 months eating ice cream and whatever I could get done. Back up to 290, my highest weight! Sept last year I had enough and talked to family doctor. He referred me to Ontario bariatric network to have reversion to bypass covered by OHIP. They were able to unfill my band, which can I never had done...no where to go. So finally able to eat again! My surgery is Oct 4 and totally nervous they will only take the band out and then I'll have to wait for bypass.

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[ShrinkingMeme 18]

That is my worry to that there will be to much damage to do both at the same time or that the biopsy will come back bad. Good luck and we can help each other out through this process.

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[thisisthenewme 358]

Sorry hit the wrong button. It's a long process but will be totally worth it. I don't regret my band. It helped me when I needed it. I do regret not seeking help sooner. I feel your pain. And know it will get better :-)

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[shedo82773 1,236]

Hi Shrinkingmeme, That darn Lap Band!! My hubby had his for 13 years,which was in the year of 2000. He did lose 100#'s but he is a Large man. He started out at 520#'s so we had expected a lot more of a loss. When he went in for his fill the nurse damaged his port. First let me say his Dr at the time said he wasn't strong enough for the RNY which was what he wanted and needed. She also used a VANGAURD BAND ( he was the first man in Oregon to get one) it was a BIG lap band. So he never lost any more weight and it came to be that he couldn't eat or drink and hold anything down. The VA sent him to a Dr in Coos Bay Oregon to empty his band. Then he tried to refill it but couldn't. He was scheduled for a revision to the RNY. When they got in there the band had eroded into his liver and he had to much scar tissue to be able to do the RNY. They did remove his band and his Gallbladder. He told him that after he healed for 3 months they could go back in for the RNY. Well he developed abcesses bad He was so sick he almost died. He was sick for 9 months and 3 of them he doesn't even remember!! Fast forward to him trying to get the Dr in Coos Bay to get the RNY well he told us he wouldn't do the surgery because he was such a problem child, but he referred him to OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE they told him they would do it if he got his A1C down below 8. And lose 20#'s. Well I don't know if you are familiar with Diabetes but if his blood sugar is down his weight is up so he just couldn't get it done. So we went to Mexico June 3 when that Dr opened him up his whole right side was solid scar tissue from his band and other surgery so they did the Sleeve on him. He isn't losing his weight easily for sure. He has lost 60#'s now. I had the RNY and lost all of my weight in 6 months which was 124#'s. I think people should be compensated or at least Dr's should have to make it right!!! I have heard that the FDA may be pulling them off the market and there are a lot of Dr's that don't even do them anymore. It makes me so mad that so many people have suffered because of the Lap Band!! Good luck on your Journey's!!

[ShrinkingMeme 18]

Yes I have type 2 as well and know the struggle is real there. I am so sorry he has had such a hard time and glad that he is ok now. I fully wanted the land when I first got it thinking hay it's slower weight loss and it won't affect my wanting to have a baby. But when it doesn't work then I still can't have a baby lol. I also have PCOS

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[shedo82773 1,236]

There are people that have had RNY (gastric bypass) that have babies afterwards. The RNY is a great way to lose your weight for sure. I had my RNY July 2, 2013. I lost 132#'s which was below my goal. I wasn't healthy at all. Even my Suregon and PCP were getting concerned. I had problems with Strictures ( like scar tissue) I gained 8#'s and have maintained my weight of 125#'s now. I have a life now. My health is better than before. I'm able to exercise and I'm off most of my medications I used to take 12 different medications now I take 4 meds and my Vitamins. If you ask me if I would do it agin I would say with everything in me IN A HEARTBEAT!!! One of the very best things I have done for myself!!

[ShrinkingMeme 18]

I am so glad you have had such a good outcome that gives me hope. Thanks

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[shedo82773 1,236]

Just remember that our WLS is a tool to help us reach our goals. Follow all of your surgeon's guidelines and you will be successful. Most WL people don't have much physical hunger. But most if not all deal with mind hunger. This is something that I fight all of the time. And if you find that you need to get some counseling please don't hesitate to ask for help. Good Luck on which ever path you choose to take. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

[ShrinkingMeme 18]

Biopsy results came back ok

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[shedo82773 1,236]

AWESOMENESS!!!