I am divastated after seeing my dr. today and being told my band may have to be removed bec. there's a possibility that my food isn't going down and into my stomach.  This is making me throw up to get relief from the back up. 

I had my surgery in Nov. "08" and developed reflux.   I never had to have a fill and in August of last year the fluid originally in my band with the surgery was removed.  Relief was instant but a month later I began developing the symtoms again for GERD.  No reflux meds help with what's going on and I was having to choose bet. taking my medicine, drinking enough fluids or eating..  The thing is I have learned to alternate and live with it for the past few months not having any idea of the damage being caused to my esophagus.  My primary phy. even took me off of all my diabetes med. and put me on the 1 x a day injections called Victoza, which is working out great. She checked everything out and physically I am fine, so far.

I asked if the band could be loosened but was told that taking the fluid out is what loosens the band and that's it, nothing else can be done. I had also previously taken some tests and listening to my dr. that did the band surgery talking to his assistant today, there was a slight prob. then that now seems to have escalated. 

I go for more testing on the 24th of this month, with the bariatric liquid, ugh, and I'm praying that everything can be corrected without removal of my band.  I asked if gastric was an option and was told yes but it wasn't an enthusiastic yes.  I asked him what would happen when the band was removed and he honestly told me that stats show that patients regain their weight.  When I had my surgery I was at 317 lbs, I am now at 214.  I'm 5'9" from a size 26 to a 14 and I'm loving every min.  I'm one of those people who has been obese since childhood and from pictures you can see that starting at age 5 I would never be anything but overweight.  I don't even remember ever having even worn a size 14, so you can imagine that I'm in heaven right now.  He was very symphathetic and said we would talk again after the testing.

When the drs. left the room I cried.  I really don't want the gastric but I even more don't want to regain any weight.  I'm scared but I'm going to stay prayerful.

You are in my prayers

I hope you can feel my hugs over the internet. Sorry to hear about your experience. I firmly believe things happen for a reason, and in the end it all works out.

 

I have a suggestion – please go and speak to another Doctor or two to get their opinions. I have no idea who your Doctor is, and they are probably a very good one. However if you’ve been having these issues since August, and they are just NOW making their decision, I would be a little concerned. Now if you haven’t been making follow-up visits, then that’s a legitimate reason.

 

There are other options out there besides bypass. You may want to look into a different band (lap band); the sleeve (which is like the cross between a band and bypass); as about a BIB (some Doctors have trials concerning this),

 

Maybe what you’ve learned so far will help in your future. I know a person who had the band, lost weight, had complications, had the band removed and gained only 20 pounds of her lowest. It’s been over 2 years now, and she’s still doing fantastic.

 

Good luck, and know no matter what happens, I am here for you!!

Thank you Tom your reply and suggestion were truly appreciated.

 
Small correction here, a sleeve is not a cross between a band and bypass.  A sleeve is absolutely nothing like bypass, not even close.  They are very very different procedures.  Pretty much opposite procedures.

A sleeve is actually the safest surgery type long term, not a band.

The symptoms you are describing sound exactly like what I was experiencing before being banded. (except you didn't mention throwing up in your sleep too) When my doc went in to place the band he found that there was a large tear in my diaphragm and my stomach was up in my chest area through the hole. So I got "the blue plate 2 for 1 special" during my surgery as he fixed it and placed the band. I just wonder if this is what may be causing your problems -- it's worth looking into before you agree to lose your band. Good luck! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
-K-

Thank you, on the 24th I will be going in for test bef. it's removed.

If the band is giving you this much trouble you would be wise to say good bye to it because 9 times out of 10 it just continues and gets worse. You could have the sleeve instead of the bypass, it basically works like the band but without the throwing up. I'm sorry you are having problems but it may be a blessing in disguise.

Thank you I will definately ask about it.

Wow! I can understand why you're so upset. It's hard enough to make such a life changing decision to have the surgery, but then to be told you may have to have it reversed must be a horrible feeling. I actually had reflux before the surgery, so my doctor had me do the barium test for reflux AND haital (sp) hernia to make sure the lapband was a good option for me. The test showed my reflux was not severe enough to keep me from the surgery. I'm sending good vibes that what you're experiencing is easily fixable and won't require band removal!

Thanks for the positive reinforcement, it really helps.

Well my dr. was right, I had my band removed and have gained back 70lbs., I wish I had gotten the gastric bypass done while he was in doing the removal.  The 45 min. surgery turned into 2 hrs. due to the amt. of scar tissue.  But everything happens for a reason.  My husband didn't want me to have the gastric bypass anyway, but seeing how unhappy I am has made him change his mind (especially since he didn't help me keep the weight off like he said). 

I first talked to my primary and we had a good talk, she said that physically I was a good candidate for the gastric bypass and knowing my busy lifestyle said that I should have it done.  I then went back to see the dr. that did my lapband surgery and he agreed.  But there were steps I had to take again before he could do it.

I had to go thru the psychiatric eval. again, the nutritionist eval. again and see the weight dr. again this time twice, all to make sure that I'm mentally and physically ready for this new life change that this different surgery will bring.  I had to see the weight dr. 2x bec. my diabeties was getting unstable due to the weight gain.  On the 2nd visit it was down to where she said I was good to go.  The insurance was approved a 2nd time right from the start and I didn't know approval is good for a year, which I was concerned about bec. of having to go thru all of the evaluations again and I am now waiting for the hospital to call me with a date. 

There are a few people who know I'm going to have the surgery and have tried to talk me out of it, but I know that the only way I'm not going to eat is if I can't eat.  After making food the focus of my life for over 50 years I now know me. 

So stay prayful for me as I start on my new journey with the different weight loss surgery to be a happy me again and to fit back into my size 12-14 clothes.  

 
I'm sorry the band didn't work out for you but keep in mind, long term it doesn't work for most people.  What you experienced is the natural progression of the band.  I had one too, but I could only stand it for 18 months before I revised to a sleeve.

Since you clearly do well with restriction alone, why bypass?  Why not a sleeve?  The weight loss is the same long term and a sleeve is oodles safer than bypass.  Easier to live with as well.

The sleeve just seems so scary to me.  But I am going to look at it again right now.  Thanks for suggesting it, it's nice to know I still have options.

 
Yeah, it IS scary!  But when you put things in perspective, it is pretty much like having your appendix removed.  Not a lot different.  But I totally agree, it takes time to get to that perspective, especially after having been banded.

Hi there, so sorry you are going through this.  Do you have a Realize band or lap band...generally realize doesn't recommend a primer fill at time of surgery.  I think that before you panic, see what is actually happening to your stomach, esophagus and band...hang in there!  You have done great!
Steph