Lost my lap band this week....

 I am pretty sad, but I am not going to let it get me down. I had been having horrible stomach pains, so bad that they where doubling me over, so DH took me to the ER. A cat scan showed that my band had moved slightly from the last time I had a scan, they where afraid that it was cutting off the circulation to my stomach so they did emergency surgery to see exactly what was going on. Because it was an older version of the band it could not be moved without cutting it (the VG is kind of like a zip tie, once it's pulled closed it kind of locks and can't be opened again) so they had to take it out. 

I am schedualed for a revision in 3 months, but I have to decide between the sleeve and gastric bypass, and I am not 100% sure about either one. 

Sorry to hear you lost your band, if you really loved it you can always get another one, but many people revise over to the Sleeve or Gastric bypass...but many have complained that they had more restriction with the band than with the Sleeve so be careful about that.  Also you really need to evaluate what caused you to get your band removed in the first place and weigh whether or not it's in your best interest to get another one.  Good luck.

 Thanks so much for the post and the well wishes, unfortunatly another band is not an option for me. My body tends to over produce scar tissue, and the amount that was created around my stomach after my band surgery makes it near impossible for them to put in another one without going up higher on my stomach which leaves me with a higher likely hood of a slip down the road. 

They are not sure what caused my slip, I have never kept my band too tight, I don't vomit and I don't over eat. They think it happened either while I was pregnant and vomiting daily from morning sickness, or earlier this year when I had a violent stomach virus that hospitialized me for two days b/c they could not control the vomiting. 

Tripmom, you may want to go to the VSG and DS boards and talk with people who have actually had the surgeries to find out their experiences with the surgeries.  I know people who have had the VSG and the DS and while there are some who talk about having less restriction years out than they did right after surgery  there isn't one of them that came from the Lap-Band that would go back to having the Lap-Band.

It's more than just restriction. 

 Thanks for the post! I am going to head over the VSG and DS boards and check it out. I know the DS is not really an option  for me as none of the bariatric surgons on my insurance do the surgery and I am not in a position to pay for it out of pocket, but I have heard (and seen!) the successes of LB's who had sleeves and it inspires me and makes me hopefull. Although I am scared to death of the revision, I know it's somethig I need to do. 

Courtney, I am sooooooooooooo sorry you have had to go through this ...yet I am glad you were able to get to the ER in time to have it assessed and have an intervention before further complications.  I hope you are feeling better now and are on the mend.  ((((((((Big hugs)))))))))) you will have my best wishes and full support for whatever decision you make in terms of a revision ... get yourself well informed, do research yourself as well as consult with professionals then make a determination that best suits you and your cir****tances best as only you would know...  Wishing you nothing but the best ... sending tons of positive energy and love and hopes for a prompt recovery.

 Thank you so much Martita! I am reading and reading and reading on both surgeries, and so is my husband, so that we can make an informed decision that is right for me. I know we are both leaning very heavily at the moment towards the sleeve. I am sore and sleepy from the pain meds, but feeling much better then I did a few days ago and I am happy to finally know for sure what is going on with me, and to get the chance to finally feel better. 

Thank you so much for the well wishes and positive thoughts, they mean more then you will ever know. 

I am so sorry you had to go through all of that.  I hope you ae feeling much better now and will heal quickly.

I got the sleeve.  I love it.  Do lots of research in your three months and the right decision will come to you.

Take care

 I was hoping you would chime in, I know you love your sleeve, and honestly that is the direction I am leaning in (pretty heavily). I am feeling better, still sore and having shoulder pain from the gas, but I am moving around pretty well and decreasing the pain meds pretty quickly, the hardest part is dealing with the baby since he does not understand why I can't pick him up, or cuddle with him on the couch and it's breaking my heart to see him so sad. I will make it up to  him as soon as I can though! 

Since you had one surgery that failed you please take your time and make sure you are making the right decision with all the facts this time.  Here's some info and links to help you start researching all THREE of your options:

www.DSFacts.com

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4391498/RNY-insulin-carbs-we ight-regain-Articles/#36305662

www.lenoxhillhospital.org/press_releases.aspx

www.dssurgery.com/procedures/compare-surgical-procedures.php

Also please visit the failed surgery forum, the revision forum and each forum for the surgery types.  Take your TIME!!!  You want to get this right.

~Becky