Wow, are there surgeons still willing to install and maintain Lap Bands? Don't waste your time!

If your husband and you have too many fears, try another wellness program like WW. The truth is, if YOU made up your mind, your husband will need to follow. And you have to make the decision weighing all possible consequences.

All best to you.

Glad you are doing well!

All best

Hi Sally!

You posted in 2012 that you had an erosion.  I don't know how you still can be standing for 3 years with an erosion.  I also don't know who would remove your band and revise you to another weight loss surgery with the condition of your stomach.  You would have to heal for months after band removal.

And no doctor can make you have a revision.  That's nuts!  Get your band removed once and for all.  Sounds silly to think a surgeon has to revise you.  They would need to have a huge malpractice policy to pay for a lawsuit.  Their license to practice medicine could be revoked if they did that against your will.

I simply had my band removed and No revision for 6 months when I DECIDED to have a revision.  Now the surgeon will have to do some work on your stomach because of your erosion . . .though I suspect you would not be breathing after 3 years with an untreated hole in your stomach.  Hmmmm?

Travel if you need to to get what is necessary.

All best to you.  I remember you from the early days here.  Surely one of your kids or grandkids could get you where you need to go.

All best, Layla

Good luck with everything Kelly

Hey all best with your band removal Sally!

I am in NYC so I can't recommend anyone in CA. I can say that my removal was not a bad experience at all physically. The port area is ALWAYS a doozy. That hurt/felt uncomfortable for a while. Emotionally I was a wreck lol. I did not revise until 6 months after removal. I felt like a normal pre-op. So you will be fine. Hope this doc is good for you.

, Layla

Hi Brandy!

You need to stay in the positive.  You have just been banded so embrace your journey.  Find a band support forum that is all sunshine and rainbows.  SERIOUSLY.  It is what I would do.  I am not saying to ignore any issues nor prevent what you have control of.

If you were pre-op I would have discouraged you from getting banded but now that you are banded, try to follow all of the rules and do your best.  You cannot worry about what may happen because it has not happened.  Many of us were happy when our bands worked and when we had the weight off.  I have no regrets even if I had to play it out the same way I did again.

All Best,

Leila

God, you've had problems with your esophagus for at least 5 years.  It amazes me that your doc even began to fill your band.  The same issues, no different for you.  Your esophagus is not working with that band on it.  Unfill completely and get removed if you can.  Soon you will not be able to revise.  Sorry if I seem harsh but this has gone on so many years with you.  The band does not work for you.  Face it before you destroy your espohagus completely.

Nothing but love - sorry it is tough.

All best to you Karen! 

Your probably just venting and really know you need to go to your surgeon for diagnostics of your band issues.

Unfortunately you are 9 years in and most band fail way before then.  Even still it may be something minor but no way of knowing until you  undergo testing.  Could be a leak, dilated esophogas, slip or maybe your stomach has gotten smaller???

All Best to you.  It is rough but you need to go through the motions and emotions.

There was one other successful BOB on this LB Forum.  She was deliriously successful and happy until she was not.  She had her band removed in an extreme emergency situation.  She later got to revise her RNY to a DS.  She almost died.   I found her again on the Pro    Boards.  I can't write that name here.  But yeah, she was first then Heather and I believe there was communication between the 2.

They may not do a DS in Charlotte - hell they don't do RNY to DS revisions mostly nowhere.  You have to find one of the few select expert surgeons to do that conversion.

Forget the incisionless tightning procedures - they do not work - ROSE, Stophamyhx (however it is spelled).  They are always coming up with a new name - throwing in staples, sutures, or clips.  Whatever, it has not worked.  Hmmm the POSE results are still up in the air???

Your other option is to not have surgery at all.  Can you track you calories and exercise - yeah I know but no matter what we have to do it anyway.

I wish you well.

Layla

Odd your doc did not give you a complete infill.  That is the way to go.  You need the pressure removed from your stomach and esophagus.

All Best,

L

It sounds like you should get some fluid taken out of your band.  Getting more put in with the way you describe your present state would be begging for trouble.

Good luck!

Congrats Kate and may you have a good complication free lifetime with your band. 

All best, Layla

Hi Kate!

Hope all is well with you.  I am good.  I think this poster's doc may be extra careful as this is not her first banding.  Nothing like a virgin stomach for sure.

Take good care,

L