Having my lapband removed next week

Anyone else in Calgary had to have the band removed due to failure (constant vomiting for 18 months)?? I am a little scared of the removal but even more scared about gaining weight.

Doc told me that the only revision option in Calgary is the sleeve and I could likely have that done in feb-march. Anyone in Calgary have a revision from band to sleeve.

Feeling quite discouraged today.

Krista

Hi Krista,

I had a lapband done in Ontario in February 2009 and had it taken out in Calgary in February 2012 at about the same weight I started. It was three years of hell...constant vomiting and only able to eat soft (and usually pretty unhealthy) food. When they took the band out they told me I would have to go through the Weight Management Program like everyone else before I could be considered for a sleeve, which would take many months. I'm not sure if things have changed or if perhaps you are already in the program, but I would double check to see if you really are able to get sleeved that quick.

I started the Weight Management Program in Calgary but was not optimistic when they told us there were far more people wanting the surgery than there were surgeries available. They said that people with more co-morbidities would get first consideration, and I had none. Given that I had already failed one surgery, I figured I would be at the bottom of their list.  I decided to take the bull by the horns and went to Mexico and had a DS done in August. Best decision I ever made!

As you can see from my ticker, my weight loss has been phenomenal, and I don't feel like I'm deprived at all. I'm not sure how much weight you have to lose or whether you want something as drastic, but the DS has the best stats for keeping the weight off, and I knew that this was my last chance. I have really had to change how I eat, but it doesn't feel like that big of a deal since I can eat enough to truly feel full (never felt satisfied with the band, only stuffed) and if I want a treat, I can have one.

Don't get too down on yourself. The band sucks. You will feel so much better with that thing out.

Jenn

Hi Jenn. 

 

Thanks so much for your reply.  I appreciate so much your feedback and your input.  :)

 

I was also concerned that if I had the band removed that I would be put to the back of the line because of the "failed" lapband.  I saw the surgeon 2 weeks ago and he said that I wouldn't have to go back through  the Weight Management program because this would be a revision surgery as opposed to a primary surgery.  He assured me that if I chose the sleeve that I wouldn't have to start back at the beginning.  I waited 7 years to get into the Weight Management program and did everything that was asked of me before and after surgery and just feel so frustrated.  He  could see the agony each time I came in for a fill or de-fill and after 18 months suggested that the band should come out.  I really hope that once it's removed that I don't find out that I am back at square one within the weight management program.  So frustrating!  The surgeon has got me in for removal only 3 weeks  after seeing him ( surgery is next week) and he said that I would have to wait about 3 months for my stomach to heal before he would be willing to sleeve me.

 

I am so happy for you and your success with the DS.  What a wonderful feeling that must be to feel satisfied when you eat but also see those numbers going down!   :)

Question for you .....did one of the weightloss surgeons here in Calgary remove your band ( Debru, Church or Mitchell) or did you have a general surgeon do it??

Either way,  I have to get this band out of me but I hope that the sleeving won't take another 7 years to get done.  I hope I didn't misunderstand the surgeon about being able to get the revision done in a couple of months??   I will keep you posted.   :)

 

By the way ....what was the recovery like to get the band out?  Did you end up gaining weight after you got it out before the DS surgery?  That is my biggest fear.  

 

Take care and thanks so much for your input.

 

krista

 

Hi Krista,

It sounds like your situation is different than mine because you have already gone through the Weight Management Program to get the band, so you won't have to start from the beginning. That's great news. My situation was quite different since I got the band done in Ontario and had never been through their program. Sorry, I didn't mean to stress you out.

Dr. Birch did took out my band and the surgery was pretty easy. I went home the same day and was just a bit uncomfortable. I think I took two weeks off work.

The bad news (just being honest) is that I did gain quite a bit of weight after I got the band out. I was just so darn happy to be able to eat again that I kind of went overboard. I gain weight really easily, so I'm not that surprised. I think I gained about 40 pounds between when I got the band out in February and when I got the DS in August. BUT, that doesn't have to be you! If I had tried a little harder I'm sure I could have at least maintained my weight. I'm quite a pig if left to my own devices.

The next three months will fly by and then you will be sleeved. I think you'll have much better luck. The first half of my DS is a sleeve and I find that I just get full fast, which is great. And I feel full and satisfied, unlike with the band when I never felt satisfied so I just turned to slider foods. If I didn't have so much weight to lose I would just have gotten the sleeve. I think it is a great surgery.

Good luck and keep me posted with how you are doing.

Jenn