Trying to decide if I should just remove my band, or convert

[mrsto 2,925]

On 9/29/2017 at 7:48 AM, OmaJ said:

I'm 59 and had the Lapband revision with Gastric bypass 3 weeks ago. I'm so thankful I did already! I only stayed 1 night in the hospital (pre op they thought it would be 2 - 3 days). Surgery went smoothly, although the Dr. said I had a lot of scar tissue around the band. I walked twice the evening of surgery, and walking twice a day around the block (stepping up the distance today). Following instructions to the letter, and I too was anxious prior to surgery, but was miserable with reflux, wt. gain over the past few years & digestion just wasn't right. Wish I knew a few years back the band was probably causing my prior issues, but at least we moved forward! God bless you on your journey, like everyone else - so thankful I did it - NO reflux at all, no med. for Diabetes, and probably come off cholesterol med. (haven't needed to restart it)

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Omaj, thanks for your response..... I haven't logged onto this site in a few weeks, but I'm wondering how you're doing 1.5 months post op? I saw my surgeon today and I'm still waiting to see what insurance will approve. We decided to put back 4cc of Fluid into my completely empty band; see if I tolerate it. If I don't, that's more ammunition to make a case with insurance. It's such a game, but I guess that's what we have to do. If I can't get back into banded life comfortably, I'll have the band out. Still not sure about the bypass. I hear some, like you, do very well right out of surgery. Then I hear others who had a lot of complications right out of the gate. Ugh.....I wish I had a crystal ball!

[SIPS in Seattle 345]

I had a band placed back in May 2011 (or was it 2010) did great at first until my gallbladder pitched a fit and had to be removed. It was a straight uphill climb after that. I started at 239 with my band, got down somewhere around 185 then shot back up to 242 when I consulted my surgeon about a revision. I didn’t have any major complications with my band, just couldn’t get back into the zone. I had enough when Water started to get “stuck” and i would have to pb into a plastic bag while driving.

Fast forward to 2017 at 242 I asked a different surgeon (due to location, still love my original surgeon) about a revision.

8/8/2017 I was revised from band to SIPS DS. No hospital stay, it was done in one outpatient surgery. As with almost all band patients I had a lot of scar tissue but my surgeon was able to remove the band and complete the DS in one. So thankful for that.

[OmaJ 130]

On 10/20/2017 at 7:31 PM, mrsto said:

Omaj, thanks for your response..... I haven't logged onto this site in a few weeks, but I'm wondering how you're doing 1.5 months post op? I saw my surgeon today and I'm still waiting to see what insurance will approve. We decided to put back 4cc of Fluid into my completely empty band; see if I tolerate it. If I don't, that's more ammunition to make a case with insurance. It's such a game, but I guess that's what we have to do. If I can't get back into banded life comfortably, I'll have the band out. Still not sure about the bypass. I hear some, like you, do very well right out of surgery. Then I hear others who had a lot of complications right out of the gate. Ugh.....I wish I had a crystal ball!

@mrsto I'm still doing very well, thank you. ☺ I go to see Dr. Ganta (my surgeon) this Wednesday for 6 week follow up. I did hit a 3 week stall that lasted 3 weeks, but am now starting to lose weight again. I'm told this is COMPLETELY normal, and have read several posts from people referring to the 3 week stall. I stopped weighing daily & weigh once a week now (as difficult as it is to do). Am just focusing on 64 oz. Water, eating as directed, increase walking slowly but at least 5 days a week. The 2 days I don't get out, I do careful exercise inside such as Tai Chi, and added arm exercises of 3 lb. wts. Keep me posted on your journey, it'll all work out. We went through the whole process of trying different saline amts. prior to my Lapband revision with Gastric bypass, and I wish I had known it was what contributed to my severe reflux (GERD) - but am SO thankful it resolved immediately after! God bless you!