Recent Posts
I would like to get the sleeve. I understand my stomach might have to heal. I've heard conflicting things, one, I will have too much scar tissue for a traditional sleeve, and then also, sure a sleeve will be fine to do. I AM eating more, but for the first time in 9 long years it's like where is my stop signal?? I had it with the band.
The problem I had with the band, was after eating, vomiting up the food, then water, then any pill that I would take to help me, severe pain, bloating that wouldn't go away. I wanted an unfill, then they said it was slipped and had to come out. So, I just let them take it. I was in so much pain, so much pain, it was too much for me. I will put up with a lot and have with the band, but pain while eating 1/8 c of food. No, I wasn't happy and I knew something had to be wrong, it was 2 episodes that had me rushed to a hospital because of severe stomach pain. It came out. I enjoyed the freedom I had with the band, I liked the band, I know it had a lot of problems associated with it, but I never experienced severe problems until recently.
The gastric sleeve is an option for me, I would have to go to Mexico, because I am not 100 lbs over weight. I understand I have to find a GOOD, EXPERIENCED DR IN REVISION SURGERY, as well, as a dr who is good overall. That is what I'm looking at this point. Researching, trying to find the most experienced dr with revision for me. I can afford the cost. But, there is no way I can afford the price of the USA prices.
You WILL have scar tissue from the band, everyone does. A revision surgeon can do it with no problem in one surgery but your standard issue surgeon will need to do it in two surgeries AND it's very likely to be much bigger than you want. It is sooo important to go to a revision surgeon. The only time a revision surgeon can't do it in one surgery is with a new slip or erosion. Otherwise the Standard of Care is to have it done in one surgery.
One big big issue you need to look at is esophageal damage. The band causes a TON of esophageal damage and in that case your only good option would be bypass. Bands by nature are a high pressure device sitting a few inches under your esophagus. It is always pushing food and liquid up and your esophagus is always pushing it down. The two are at battle all the time and eventually the band wins the war.
A sleeve is a medium pressure procedure and in an otherwise healthy esophagus it is no problem. But for an esophagus with damage it is a big problem.
If you do have esophageal damage then bypass is your best bet and the reason is... it is a zero pressure procedure. Your food is pulled down through your esophagus with the aid of gravity.
I fully understand. Thanks
With 
I will succeed.
HW: 280 - LW: 190 - GW - 180
Unfilled 8/15/11 - WT: 209
1st Fill 11/29/11 - WT: 215.5 - 3cc
2/20/12 - New Goal - Get n Onederland
2nd Fill 4/26/12 - WT: 224.0 - 3cc
Z
Thanks so much. You are correct, its not an emergency and I can make time to research. I am in Kentucky and have a lot going on for the next couple of weeks. I would appreciate setting up a day and time so you can talk to me. When I figure out how, I will send you my phone number. Thanks so much.
With I will succeed.
HW: 280 - LW: 190 - GW - 180
Unfilled 8/15/11 - WT: 209
1st Fill 11/29/11 - WT: 215.5 - 3cc
2/20/12 - New Goal - Get n Onederland
2nd Fill 4/26/12 - WT: 224.0 - 3cc
Z
I ended up having a band/bypass revision by a different surgeon than the one who placed my band. My original surgeon has moved away. I will tell you that other surgeons are very particular about taking on a patient that they did not operate on the first time. I had to get approval by a three-surgeon panel to start with a new surgeon, and they only agreed to take me on if I was going to have a revision. They do not take on any patient that wants to keep the band! Apparently, the band is becoming quite obsolete! By the way, I am almost three weeks post-op, and am very happy with my decision.
SW:223, CW: 134.2; GW: 125, RNY: 5/27/16
Hello,
I have had my band for for almost 8 years and lost weight for a while, but I am back up to my pre-surgery weight. I want my band out for many reasons; I haven't been able to eat meat/fish for several years because of getting stuck, I can't eat salad or raw vegetables without getting stuck, and I have heartburn and nausea frequently. I eat chips and soft foods all the time because they go down with less sliming. I can't eat healthy because of the band.
I last saw my surgeon 2 years ago with these complaints and he said of course I am going to gain weight eating the things I eat. I understand what he is saying, but I don't feel that he got the point of what I was saying and why I was eating the things I am eating. If I eat the things the way he recommends I get stuck/slime/feel nausea/throw up. He unfilled me but I haven't gotten better, only worse over time. I feel like he dismissed me at that visit, I know I am not a model patient for the lap band, but I am a patient that needs help.
I have an appointment to see him soon, and am scared he will say no to removing the band. Can he do that? Just say 'no I won't remove it'?
I did call some other bariatric surgeons in the area, but they all told me they don't do anything with the lap band anymore, even just remove it.
Any advice? Thanks
Whoa... wrong thinking here~~
It is not his choice if you remove it or not. That is not his decision, he has nothing to do with that decision. It is his decision if HE will agree to do it, if he doesn't, find a new surgeon~
Who is paying the fees here, you or him?
You need something and that is an attitude adjustment. This is YOUR life, YOUR decision, and you will do what YOU want to do. That is how this process works.
Any surgeon is going to want the surgery business if push comes to shove. If you can't find someone then you need to get your ins co involved. Doctors don't want the follow up care from other surgeons, that's not where the money is. The money is in surgery. Some of these surgeons would remove a band from their dead cold mother if a buck was in it for them.
I think everyone has that fear to some degree. What you can bank on is total regain (plus friends) without restriction.
You are older, wiser, and you are a vet. You have been around the block a time or two. You aren't a newbie. You know what you need to do. Do you want weight loss bad enough to do it?
Either way, the band is going to go eventually. Better now than after it's an emergency.
Hi WLSVet:
I having great flying privileges and would like a heads up on any good doctors in Mexico that do removal and revision. Thanks for any help you can provide. I have fallen a long way since band unfilled. Back to square one but now I'm not covered by insurance.
With I will succeed.
HW: 280 - LW: 190 - GW - 180
Unfilled 8/15/11 - WT: 209
1st Fill 11/29/11 - WT: 215.5 - 3cc
2/20/12 - New Goal - Get n Onederland
2nd Fill 4/26/12 - WT: 224.0 - 3cc
Z
Would you mind sending me info you have on revision doc you found in Mexico
With I will succeed.
HW: 280 - LW: 190 - GW - 180
Unfilled 8/15/11 - WT: 209
1st Fill 11/29/11 - WT: 215.5 - 3cc
2/20/12 - New Goal - Get n Onederland
2nd Fill 4/26/12 - WT: 224.0 - 3cc
Z
I will b self-pay if and when I get revision from the band and would like info. Is there any other way to get info besides facebook. I don't have an account and would rather not get one.
Thanks
With I will succeed.
HW: 280 - LW: 190 - GW - 180
Unfilled 8/15/11 - WT: 209
1st Fill 11/29/11 - WT: 215.5 - 3cc
2/20/12 - New Goal - Get n Onederland
2nd Fill 4/26/12 - WT: 224.0 - 3cc
Z
The band is not only a bad surgery but it is also not expected to be used long term. So a revision could alo help you to have a better (more successful) surgery. I also believe for some folks a time of counceling can also be helpful to deal with some of our mental trip ups and triggers. So the ideal thing would be a revision and counceling both.
FluffyPuff · 2 replies · 1323 views
Member Services · 0 replies · 1130 views
