Prolapsed band...is it worth keeping?

[missmakeupgrrl 0]

I dont think i've seen a story quite like mine on here yet - so I will detail what happened to me so hopefully if anyone else has had the same problems they can let me know.

I was banded 08/08/2008 - I lost 7kg on 3 weeks of Optifast before surgery. I had my band put in, and when I awoke from surgery I was very very sick with vomiting. They pretty quickly gave me anti nausea and I was ok.

After a few days I was able to start working from home. I did as my surgeon said (and ignored advice on the forums - because my surgeon has done so many patients. He's a leading surgeon in Australia) and did liquids for 2 weeks and then went to mushies after it. I lost another 7 kg's over the next couple of months.

I had Fluid put into my band - and really struggled to eat food. Its been so long now, I dont remember what these initial stages were really like. I went back to my surgeon and advised I was having trouble eating. They worked with me on the kinds of foods to eat - and I changed my diet. It was like I was eating around my band. It was never what I thought it would be like. I couldn't eat the foods they had once told me would be possible. I had all the Fluid out - and I ate a small steak. I felt full, but it was ok. I say that I ate a steak - because with nothing in my band now I couldn't dream of eating red meat like steak. I would throw it all up for hours. I must not have been prolapsed at this time.

I had fluid put back in, and a couple of times it had to be removed straight away as within 24-48 hours I wouldn't even be able to drink Water. They then over the next couple of months tried very small increments of fluid in the band - which would have the same reaction and wind up getting taken out.

I was then sent for a gastroscopy (found nothing) and a barrium meal (also appeared fine). I went back to my surgeon in frustration, and he ordered video nanometry. This found that I had a prolapsed band. I had nothing in my band, but continued to throw up and couldn't eat a lot of solid foods.

In total, I lost 7kg on the preop diet, and 7kg after being banded. I have gone through a year of hell - not knowing what was going to make me sick, feeling uncomfortable so often and all to see no real weight loss.

Since the video nanometry revealed the prolapse, I have seen my surgeon. He's got me booked in for surgery this week to revise the band and place it back in, in the correct position.

What I am unsure about is wether or not I even want to keep the band. Im not sure I can live life with this much pain and uncertainty. Frankly, I just became single a couple of weeks ago - and although the idea of being slim appeals - I just dont think anyone would tolerate my constant sickness and issues that the band gives me. Maybe life with the band isn't like this for other people - but this is all I have known. Im wondering if I should just get it removed all together.

If you have any thoughts, please share.

Thankyou for reading...I know it was long.

[Mimilou2004 13]

I am sorry for all of your trials and tribulations. I have recently gone through some problems with my band but the thought of being bandless terrifies me to the maximum. If you can afford to try again I think a properly working band is wonderful.

Best wishes,

Mimi

[maclynn 0]

I have only been banded a little over three months and have lost weight with the band that I struggled to for the past few years. I haven't been able to actively lose weight in over four years. While being less heavy and getting into smaller clothes and looking good is very appealing, I have to admit that the main reason I aquired the band was for health reasons. I'm a grandma of a two year old and realized a year ago I want to be around as long as possible for her. If you have the opportunity to get a band that works, you will find that you can eat 'almost' anything. I do find that dry meats and large bites are my enemy but other than that, I eat tasty and satisfying foods at every meal. Just much, much less. Along with my exercise, which I have to admit is just brisk walks, the band has really improved my lifestyle.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. I am truly sorry you had such a rough experience and for so very long.

[SummerAgain 0]

Maybe a revision to sleeve or RNY?

[missmakeupgrrl 0]

Im not sure what RNY is - but im very opposed to anything that actually isn't reversible and changes my physiology. If it goes wrong, I can't have it reversed.

I think t this stage im going to have the revision and see ho it goes. If it doesn't work out, it will be removed.

Thanks for your comments.