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. I've had the band for seven years. After five years started to get major complications. Ie esophagus damage. Ulcers. Gerd and reflux etc etc. the band is a time bomb A better choice would be sleeve or rny bypass. Good luck to you
Hi Dixiedog,
I'm so glad you're going to give your band another chance. I too have been suffering and have an appt for a fill next Tuesday, December 29, 2015.
I was banded back in 2003 and went from 301 lbs to my lowest of 167 lbs. I then found a resting weight of about 170 lbs. I had to have a revision of the band about a year after it was placed, and that scared me but after that I was moving the same pace of those in my support group that had the gastric bypass or RNY.
I started putting weight on after having a slippage and having the saline removed almost completely. Without any restriction....the weight started coming back as well as my poor eating habits of eating fast (like the food was going to grow legs and run away if I didn't gobble it down). I'm up to over 230 lbs now and I'm desperate to have a fill and START OVER!
I hope you do the same and I'm going to be checking because you've motivated me. You're not alone and I'm not either. I'm going to be 55yrs old next year!
As far as the relationship and job.....those are some heavy changes in your life. Give yourself a break honey....you've got a lot on your plate! (oops, probably not the best analogy) :(
Love and hope.....my new bariatric sister!!
ReplayQueen
Relax! You most likely do not have a leak. Everyone is different and you may need more of a fill than others. I have the 4cc band and get good restriction at 3cc full. Everyone is different and you will do fine. No need to borrow trouble. Hang in there and good luck. I am banded 8 years and 110 pounds lost. No problems at all.
Hi Cal! All lap surgeries need a consent for open procedure before surgery or it can't be performed. Not just weight loss surgeries. No one can predict what they will find or if an emergency will occur. It is for your safety and protection. It could save your life. Get a surgeon you trust and leave the procedure up to him/her. Good luck!
I can totally relate to your story. Had band placed Jan 2010 and finally had it removed 11/16/15. Had the EXACT same issues you mentioned in your post. I gained all my weight back after losing 50+ pounds initially. But after joining this group and seeing all these posts I have realized I can do it and I have decided, along with numerous talks with other WLS people, that I will not endure another surgery. I MUST learn to eat less, move more and make better choices in life in general. So glad to know that there are so many people in my same situation. I do not feel I have failed at all. I know that I just made a bad choice and life will go on after learning from my mistakes.
Hi Sally,
Dr. Thoman was the doctor who placed my band. I saw him when I had issues with my band and he never wanted to un-fill me even though I was very tight. I am getting my band removed next week due to complications due to my band being too tight and he is not the one doing it. I got to the point that I didn't trust his decisions that go beyond being his patient.
I now go to a bariatric center in Santa Maria and feel so much better with the care I am receiving.
Hi Dixie -
I hear the disappointment in your story but you can change this around. I applaud your effort at starting over and would like to suggest that a therapist - specializing in eating/wellness - to help you navigate the coming year. You have an awful lot on your shoulders.
The best way to learn how the band can help you is to find out what is going on in your mind/heart that encourages you to turn to food. I often wished the band was around my brain and not my stomach.
Also - some gentle exercise such as walking to get you started. I find that when I am active, I am more mindful of the food I consume. Also - walking does wonders for relieving stress and anxiety. I often resolve problems or strategize while walking or running.
I know you can do this - losing weight, whether with a band or any other tool, can be done. YOU can be successful!
Kootenay banded in 2006 SW: 225 CW: 118
Ask me how I got rid of my keloid scar!
amcz82
I hope IF you decide on getting a Band that you Do your research, and not just a Quick decision.
The information is out there if you really look for it. I can give you Multiple Medical articles that have been done on the LB.
A few things to consider are the complications that more than likely the Dr. won't tell you about, they often don't, they expect you to do your own research and give you a pamphlet from the Company that provides the LB and they won't honestly talk negatively about their product.
Here is a small list to consider.
Band Slippage, Pouch Dilatation, Stoma Obstruction Gastroesophageal reflux, Esophageal Dilatation, Cholelithiasis, Incisional Infection, Abdominal Pain, Gastroenteritis, Nausea and/or Vomiting, Port Leak, Delayed Esophageal Emptying, GI Perforation Hernia, Band Erosion, Chest Pain, Dysphagia, Infection, Asthma, Atelectasis, Dehydration, Headache, Abnormal Healing, Hiatal Hernia, respiratory Disorder, Thrombosis, Thyroid Disorder, Nausea and/or Vomiting, Constipation, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain Asthenia, Incisional Infection, Fever, Pain Incision, Slippage/Pouch Dilation, Metabolic and Nutritional Healing Abnormal, Port Site Pain/Infection, Port Displacement, Alopecia, Shoulder pain, Vagus nerve Damage, EROSION, Upper Abdominal Pain, Gastric Outlet Obstruction,
The lap Band Is ONLY removable not Reversible, if you need Further Help just message me.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
on 12/17/15 10:46 am
Hi Dixie Dog
OK like you I was in the same boat, I lost about 20kg in the beginning (never got to goal), then over the years I put it back on after having a major unfill after high altitude and bubble in the lap band meant I could not eat - fluid removed and all ok. I had not been able to find the Green Zone again since then, I have for the past 6 years doing the fill unfill fill unfill game.
I am now at my highest weight and have decided to give the lapband one last chance before considering a revision. I do not want a revision, I am self pay. So decided it was much less expense to get the band working again, seeing my lapband nurse weekly for small fills until the weight loss starts again.
This was 7 November, fronted up after a few years of ignoring it all - that did not work! gained another 8kg in ignorance!
I asked for small fills as it was going to be like being banded once more - getting used to the rules, listening to your body and learning when to stop again. I was really hanging out to get to that point when you don't want carbs and sugar. I could remember this time but could not get there before.
So first fill was .2ml, not a whole lot of change, but think a little swelling which soon stopped a few days later - lost a few hundred grams, then another .2ml week after that, same again and lost 500gms, back the next week etc etc I am now down 3kg - most of it the last 2 weeks as I am hitting the Green zone now with my fill level, honestly once you get back to this level it is much easier looking for protein not carb crap.
So I just wanted to be a positive story for you, that it can be done. Do you know what size fills you were getting before? It sounds like they were too much for you?
And pizza - well I am just not interested again - and I was back to eating normally 3 pieces no problems before my fills.
I am eating mainly protein, full and not looking for more.
You can do this, baby steps and baby fills. It is worth another chance, you will feel better for you as this sounds like a tough time for you right now,
All the best
Karen
I haven't had the problem either at least not from the band but I have some meds that cause it. I never had any lick with the mouth moisturizers either! I just drink lots of ice water and try to stay super hydrated. You can always drink more than the 64 oz they say we need, that is a minimum level we need to take in. Other than that I would also suggest speaking to your primary doc about it. I haven't seen anyone on the forum here write about it before so I don't think it is related to the band in any way.
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