Has anyone converted from a Lap band to RNY after having the band for years. I had mine placed in 2003 and it slipped 1 year later. So I had it replaced again in 2004. I have not been successful. My BMI has always been high and I probably should have had the RNY first but I was too chicken. Now I am reading about people who have had complications and have not been able to convert to RNY due to scarring. Anyone out there going through this??

Thanks

I received the Lap Band in 2006 and was revised to RNY on October 24, 2011. I have had no complications. Things have gone well and I'm feeling well.

If you check out the revisions forum, you'll find lots of people revising. I had my band removed about 6 years ago and wasn't able to revise because of the amount of damage, but people do revise quite often.

Good luck, Tammi.

Nicci

Nicci, how long did you have your band?  I am concerned because it has been in for 8 years. They did an upper GI and didn't see any problems with it.  I didn't realize it was this difficult to do.  I am only 2 months in and haven't seen my surgeon yet. I am wondering if he will do 2 surgery's.

Thanks again

I only had it for about 2 years.  I had tests that showed everything was "normal" according to my surgeon. When I went to a different surgeon out of desperation, it turned out my stomach had twisted into a Figure 8 and I was about to kick the bucket. Tests don't show everything... lots of people have had "normal" tests and found out later that the band had eroded or slipped, etc.

There are surgeons who are revision surgeons. If your surgeon balks, I'd look into a revision specialist.

You look like a tiny little sex kitten crawling across that floor! I want to buy you some catnip :)

Ha! I was pretending to be a dog, piddling on the rug. Don't ask.    I like to play pretend sometimes.

Have you considered revising to the DS?  If you have a high BMI, it's your best chance to loose the weight.  There are quite a few people on the DS board that have revised from the band. 
Good luck to you.

My insurance will only cover Lab band or RNY.  I keep reading these horror stories about the complications changing from the band to another WLS.  I can't wait to talk with my surgeon.

Tammi,

Are you experiencing any ill effects from the band right now, other than not losing weight?

The complications usually occur when the band has already caused damage. And most docs won't do the revision surgery if your band is damaging anything. But, that doesn't mean you CAN'T revise... you just might have to end up waiting and healing first. A lot of people successfully revise, though, so think positively!