Lap band to bypass conversion

[loridee11 513]

Hi all,

Has anyone here switched from a lap band to gastric bypass? I'm having issues with my band and my doctor is saying we may need to remove it. If so the option is to either simply remove or to remove and if possible to a bypass. I'm very nervous and am wondering if anyone would be willing to share their experience?

A little background: I had my lapband in 2007 and for the first few years I did great. I lost 145 pounds. At about the 4 year mark I started having issues with heartburn and night cough and had a series of unfills that put me at about 50% restriction and over the last 6 years I've gained back about 100 lbs. However, after a cold in January I started having serious issues, I couldn't even get Water down. Doctor did a complete unfill and now we are waiting for things to heal before we try to add restriction again. If it fails she is recommending the bypass.

I really appreciate any insight anyone can share!

Lori

[Splendid 0]

Yes, I had the Band removed and replaced with Sleeve.The surgery went well with no scar tissue. I presently at a loss at 37 lbs. I mean hoping to be down 6- 10 lbs by first week of June. My doctor made me aware the weight loss is slower after a revision.I wish you well😇

[Matt Z 4,139]

I'm talking to my surgeon about this right now as well. I've had my band for a long time and I've hit a plateau that just won't budge. You have 3 options really. Removal with no revision. Removal with revision to a sleeve (if your surgeon will do that, mine won't) and Removal with revision to bypass.

I was told that going from the band to the sleeve won't have the same effect that going from nothing to the sleeve would. Because you have already reduced your intake through lap band restrictions. So the effectiveness isn't the same. The bypass would add the malabsorption to mix increasing effectiveness.

Now, here's why my surgeon won't do band to sleeve revisions. With the band, you will have some scar tissue build up (unless you've only had the band for a very short while) and the cut they make for the sleeve differs from the bypass. The cut they need to make for the sleeve, passes right through where the band, and scar tissue is, so, this greatly increases the risk of leaking and in a location that's tougher to work in due to it's location being higher up in the stomach cavity. Scar tissue doesn't heal to scar tissue quite the same way that healthy tissue heals to healthy tissue.

Do doctors do band to sleeve revisions. All the time.
Do some people have no issues with this, sure.

But... it does increase your risk, so you should be aware of that risk.

I went into my follow up / revision discussion appointment, pretty much set on the sleeve. I left leaning towards the bypass. And after doing my own research, review of both procedures, factoring in the different prospective losses with each. I'm pretty sure I'm getting revised to a bypass.

Just my inputs, but worth sharing.

[Irish_Eyes 22]

My Surgeon wouldn't do a one surgery revision. I had to have my band removed last fall, then go through insurance to get the second procedure approved. Luckily it went through right away. My RNY is May 22.

[SIPS in Seattle 344]

I'm currently in the process of revision from band to DS. My surgeon says that he wants to do it in one surgery and no overnight hospital stay if possible. He says you heal better at home with less risk of infection. I'm still one appointment away from him submitting to insurance.

Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

[MoreNO 0]

Hello everyone,

Lapband did not work for me, not only i didn't lose enough weight or got healthier but 1- I never got adjusted correctly, I would always throw up

2 - My body rejected the lapband after 5 years, it wanted to come out through my belly, it left me an ugly scar, doctor removed it and had to leave it open in order to heal

months later got revision to sleeve, and currently revising to bypass. I have 1 more nut appt next month and then they will submit to insurance.

i have a few comorbidities (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, GERD) so I really need to change my life around or I will not live to see my grandkids.