The WLS that failed (X-post)

My bandwagon has taken yet another unexpected detour. I had planned to have my band removed and revise to the sleeve in one procedure. On Friday I had surgery, but it didn't go as planned. My surgeon removed my band and port, but she and 2 anesthesiologists were unable to pass the bougie through my esophagus into my stomach. The juncture of my esophagus & stomach are closed up tight. I'm not sure how I'm able to eat so easily if that's the case, but the bottom line is that I can't have any further bariatric surgery (assuming my insurance will pay for it) right now.

I was too doped up to think of questions to ask my surgeon, but I'm supposed to call her office on Monday the 30th to find out what's next. She wants me to see a Memphis gastro-enterogist with whom she discussed my case in the hope that he can "stretch" the juncture, perhaps 2-3 times, via upper endoscopy. Then if everything looks OK in 3-4 months, we can revisit the idea of sleeve surgery.

My surgeon no longer thinks my band caused this problem. For sure it caused my esophageal dilation (because it was too tight), but the problem is beginning to look like an independent, primary condition rather than a secondary one. Coincidentally, my brother has also been having weird problems with his esophagus that could be "sympathy" pains or a hypochondriacal sibling rivalry, but it also could be a congenital one.

Thanks to all for your support, and stay tuned as Jean learns more than she ever really wanted to know about her esophagus. I'm so flabbergasted by this turn of events, I don't know what to think. I couldn't be more astounded if they'd found Jimmy Hoffa's body or a space alien in my abdominal cavity!

How disappointing is that! I'm glad at least they have some possible solutions that can get you back on track again in a few months. I know it is one of my fears...to go through all the preparation and wake up from surgery with some reason why they could NOT do it. It's not like we can see our insides to know what is going on. That is one of the scary things about VSG...we can't see our stomachs to know that things are doing okay in there. Good luck and keep us posted!

So sorry for this unexpected detour!   (((HUGS)))

Sorry you're having such a rough time. I hope this can all be resolved soon.

 It can be a familial problem - my husband, both of his sisters and his father have al had to have dilitations repeatedly.  I know that doesn't help you and your situation but just thought I would share that it can run in families.

Hopefully you'll be dilated and be able to convert to the sleeve soon. I'm a failed bander - had mine removed in 2007 and hope to be sleeved in Sept.

Goodluck.

Interestingly, my original band surgery in 2007 was done by a different surgeon (one who lost his KY medical license due to drug abuse allegations), not the surgeon I have now. So in a sense, my current surgeon "ain't got no dog in that race" (as we say here in TN). Her newly-added medical partner is a surgeon *****fuses to do bands, and the general atmosphere of that practice now is not pro-band.

As for the congenital business...I saw an ENT doc about 25 years ago because of a persistent cough, and he said I had silent reflux. I didnt' believe him then....

I'm glad you mentioned sleeping positions. I absolutely cannot sleep in a recliner (I don't even have one, but I know I can't sleep in reclining 1st class airplane seats). I tried elevating the head of my bed 8" (my gastro doc's suggestion) and couldn't sleep that way, either. But sleeping on my left side, yes, I can do that, because it's my favorite sleeping position anyway.

 

Sorry to hear about the detour...I know you must have been disappointed. Hopefully in a few months things will be resolved and you will be able to proceed. Good luck.

Amazing how the remainder of Jean's original post that was put in the lapband forum was left out of this... where she stated the band didn't fail... it was a "failed SLEEVE"!!!