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I have also had increasing side effects that all seem to be LB related. I had my surgery in 2009. Everything was going swimmingly for a few years, and I loved my band. I lost 40 pounds. I wanted to lose 75, but never got there, still, I was seeing so many great things from the 40 lbs I had lost. I felt wonderful. About three years in, I started having a hard time eating. I was getting "stuck" all the time. I was having these waves of tightness in my throat, which were later diagnosed as esophagus spasms. They slowly unfilled me. I would feel better for a while, then feel as tight as I had before the unfill. Within six months, I was totally unfilled, but still having loads of restriction. I didn't want to take my LB out because I was terrified of what will happen to my weight without it. I asked my Dr about a revision surgery to a different type of WLS, but he said my weight is not in a range where they will do it for me. Basically, they would take the LB out if I asked, but not do a sleeve or anything else unless I gain all the weight back. I decided to keep my unfilled band in, not realizing how dangerous this would end up being. Within two more years, I was having acid reflux that would have me vomiting acid in the middle of the night. They put me on Meds to help, it helped, but didn't cure it. I was always having small spasms in my esophagus, always tight, and always having some amount of acid reflux. Then things got downright scary. I started having episodes of heart palpitations. Evidently, it can be really hard on your heart to be so tight and have all these spasms and such. My doctors wont definitively say that these problems are all connected to the LB, but I feel strongly that they are. I wish I had never gotten it, and now I am being scheduled to have it removed. It is possible I will need to have a pacemaker placed if removing the band doesn't cure the episodes. Many people who have the band removed still suffer symptoms because of all the scar tissue and other damage the band and constant state of esophagus spasms have caused permanent damage for them. I am hoping with everything I have my symptoms will right themselves when I get this LB out.
I developed ulcers in my stomach while banded, which contributed to the long list of complications. I would imagine that ulcers of the esophagus would be a good reason to have the band removed since motility issues will only exacerbate the ulcers over time.
Back when I had my band removed, things were much easier. It's a shame that they make people climb up so many hills to have the band removed, especially when it's causing so many health issues for you. I hope you can get it taken care of and feel better soon.
Avoid kemmerling, Green Bay, WI
My WLS surgeon said ulcers are a definite reason to have a Band removed. When I was going to my Band classes before my Band he was telling our class that if anyone develops ulcers he will remove our band. He said he finds that ulcers are very hard to heal with the band. So he said he doesn't play around with it...and just removes the band. I don't know if all doctors take the same hard stance...but I felt it was good that he was taking these things seriously.
Recovery time should be about the same as when you had it placed, as long as it is performed the same way. It really is unique to each individual and how they handle surgery and how fast they bounce back. I had RNY in 2001, open. Recovered in a month and back to work. I had a lap hernia repair in 2004, took me almost two months to get back to work.
Hope you have a speedy recovery!
Nik
I don't know if there will be anyone on this forum to answer this question, but I'm going to try. I had the lapband put in in Jan 2008. I didn't do well with it (couldn't follow the 'rules' for whatever reason), had the band emptied about 2 years later and have just lived with it because I didn't want to have another surgery. This year I started having pain and found out I had an ulcer/gastritis. I still didn't want to have the band removed. There is no slippage, no erosion per the endoscopy. I finally decided to let it be removed and it's scheduled for Feb 24. Does anyone know how long recovery is? I have a call into the nurse to get a guestimate, but thought I would check here in the meantime. Thanks in advance.
It does sound like it could be scar tissue or adhesions. Have you brought it up to your surgeon? I tried acupuncture for the lingering band issues I experienced and it did help somewhat. It required repeat visits, however... quite a few.
Avoid kemmerling, Green Bay, WI
Kindly cite your references. I have NEVER heard of the band causing polyps leading to Barret's esophagus or cancer. I would be very interested to see such a publishing. I will gladly call Allergen or try to have a rep get back to us. These accusations sound serious and if they are true people need to be informed. I myself am very skeptical. Imagine the liability here!
Hi Mona! Congrats on 14 years! I am almost 9 years out and doing great. A few more pounds left to go and no problems at all. I am rarely on the boards anymore. Living my life but do pop in from time to time to give encouragement! I do not have any regrets either. Annette
My doc claims revision from band to bypass is best. Sleeve is a good primary surgery. Didn't ask why since I don't need a revision and have lost most of my weight with the band without problems. I don't know hundreds or "thousands" that have revised. Don't even know that many people at all. Just what my doc said and what I have experienced. Hope that helps. Why can't you keep trying with the band? It takes more work and doctors visit for sure than the other procedures. I love my band and have come to depend on the restriction and hard stop I feel when I attempt to over eat. It's a fine line between being too tight and not tight enough. You will learn through trial and error. Don't give up and turn a deaf ear to the negative nay sayers! Most of us successful long term bandsters are out living our lives and no longer visit the boards. I know at least 6 (sorry not hundreds or thousands!). PM me if you want encouragement to avoid negativity. Good luck!