Revision Surgery for Dilated Esophagus!

hefftynetty · June 22, 2009

I went to the doctor last week and I was expecting a fill after being unfilled for several weeks! The nurse told me that my pouch was twisted up over my band and it is still dilated so I have to have a revision surgery to move my band back up over the stretched pouch. Just wondering if anyone has ever had this done, I am worried they are going to have to take it out. I go talk to the surgeon on Tuesday and then set a date for surgery! A little nervous but excited, if I keep my band this is a new start, I have been at this same weight for 2 years now!

WASaBubbleButt · June 22, 2009

I went to the doctor last week and I was expecting a fill after being unfilled for several weeks! The nurse told me that my pouch was twisted up over my band and it is still dilated so I have to have a revision surgery to move my band back up over the stretched pouch. Just wondering if anyone has ever had this done, I am worried they are going to have to take it out. I go talk to the surgeon on Tuesday and then set a date for surgery! A little nervous but excited, if I keep my band this is a new start, I have been at this same weight for 2 years now!

There is a revision specialist by the name of Dr. Husted. He was writing on another board that the latest studies show that if you surgically reposition or replace a band, you have a 70% chance of another slip in the first five years. He was also referring to a conference he went to in FL and this was discussed a great deal and most at this conference will not be surgically repositioning or replacing bands anymore, they have had very low success with this.

Is there any chance that a malabsorptive procedure might serve you a little better? You've been struggling for a long time, three years and not at goal yet... maybe you just need a bit more help?

hefftynetty · June 23, 2009

wasabubblebutt: I would love to have the sleeve instead of this god forsaken band. I called my insurance awhile ago about it (before I knew I was having this problem) and they said they only cover 1 WLS per lifetime. I have had my band taken out before, about 1 month after the first time I had it in due to complications. When I went back 6 months late they covered it due to the problems and I was offered Gastric but I was too scared. I wonder if they go in there this time and they have to take it out if I can do the sleeve, I go see my surgeon tomorrow so I am going to ask these questions. There is no way to do this self pay as I just got laid off my job of 9 years!

5jacks · June 24, 2009

Wish I could help....came on here with a dilated esophogus myself and wanted answers! You have me kind of scared now with other things that could go wrong. I'm trying to figure out what kind of food and how much I'm supposed to be eating for the 6 weeks while there is no fill and until they start refilling. Good luck, hope all goes well.

hefftynetty · June 24, 2009

5Jacks: Good luck with the eating thing, I can eat anything I want, it is like I do not even have the band. They told me I would be unfilled for 4 weeks, had upper GI and they still would not give me a fill, she told me to wait until 3 more weeks, I was so excited when I went to get my fill, because I miss that feeling of restriction. That is when she finally told me the DR looked at my films and decided something had to be done, so STILL no fill! I have not gained any weight though, I told the nurse it was because I could eat this much all along (since I had my second child anyway). I thought my appt to see the surgeon was yesterday but it is not until next Tuesday. I am beyond stressed and all I want to do is eat, it is ridiculous! I hope everything goes okay for you!