***I NEED HELP****

Long story short I was banded October 2010 - Lost 15 lbs prior to Surgery.
Initial weight loss was slow and I lost approximately 23 lbs which was
during the first 8 months after my surgery.  I have been back to the Dr.
for fills, I got one in October as I started gaining some weight back, but I
was still having a hard time keeping my food down and was unable to eat 
anything before 2pm. 
I thought I would be able to start loosing weight again but did not.
So I went back for a fill on December 16th 2011 after that my problems
worsened, I continued to have problems with keeping stuff down, so last
week I decided to go get a 2nd opinion.
This 2nd dr did any upper GI and also a EGD, after having seen the upper GI
he told me there were a couple of things that went wrong.
1. My band had moved (but upwards)
2, It may never have been placed in the correct position.

Having said this I was given 3 options and I am so torn up and depressed about.
1. I can have the band removed
2. Replaced
3. Gastric Bypass

This 2nd dr has not guaranteed me that the same thing will not happen again
and was told that 39% of all Banded patients have some type of revision within
the first 5 years.

Any thoughts on this.....WHAT DO I DO ...... PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE

Sincerely,

Audrey

Get it OUT! The sooner the better. Most bandsters revise to VSG, but RNY and DS are both good options as well.

There is a failed band group on FB. The link is below.

Thank you Maria for the link, I appreciate you.

Audrey

Hi Audrey,

Yes, my band was not placed correcly to begin with.  It has been re-positioned for almost 2 years now.  I have done okay, but it's a real struggle to lose weight.  I think all bands are pretty much psycho at times unless you keep a VERY LOOSE fill.  I can't control my addictions with a very loose fill.  If I could, I wouldn't have needed surgery.

In fact, I am going to see my surgeon next week to have some fluid taken out.  My band has been acting psycho for weeks now, not allowing me to eat solid protein that much.  I am turning to junk and putting back on a few pounds.  I am hoping a slight unfill helps, but I will also mention to him once again that I would like to revise to the sleeve,

If I were you, I would beg for the sleeve, or happily take the RNY. 

Hi Melly,

Thanks for responding, got the results of my EGD , found out I have Gastritis and Esophagitis ( diialted esophagis). Now waiting on what the dr wants to do.

Thanks for sharing your story, and keep in touch.

Audrey

Check with your insurance to see if they will cover a different surgery. Some have a one wls per lifetime. You would be stuck just having it out. If they would cover another procedure I would say get a sleeve. Those who have had to revise from the band to the sleeve love it. That is what I would do if I had problems with my band.

Something to ask the Dr. about is having a total unfill and letting things rest for about 3 months and see what happens after that. Sometimes the thing will work right then. I only suggest that if your insurance gives you trouble about another proceedure. Have the surgeons insurance person go to work with this, they are the experts and they will know what you will need to convince your ins. company. Don't let one turn down be the end, file an appeal, file another until there is nothing left, if it comes to that. In the meantime get that unfill while you wait. Oh, and wait, if they would only cover a replacement of the band, do it. Some will have problems with that one, too, but there are people on here that have had no problem since. Jean M. is one.

Good luck to you, and please keep us posted.
Sue

Thanks so much Sue,

I am just so disappointed, disgusted and depressed about this as I followed
"nearly"  everything ..... I found out today that  my EGD showed gastritis
and esophagitis with a dilated esophaegus, have not got the final
report from the Dr. so I am not sure if this was from the band placement and or
the repeated nausea and throwing up.
Last thursday when I went to see him, myhusband insisted that they remove a little over
2cc from my band and I have not thrown up since then.
This dr. states they will work with the Insurance company to get a revision to probably
the Bypass.  
I will keep you informed, thank you so much.

Audrey

 

I would for sure get it out if it is causing gastritis because you would most likely continue to have it even if it was repositioned. I'd go for VSG myself but like Maria said there are several other surgeries. I would suggest you read up on them so you can make an informed decision. Know how each one works and whart would be best for you, don't just let a doc decide for you. Good luck!!!

Thank you so much!!!!

MANY of us here kow that "disappointed, disgusted and depressed" feeling all to well! :-( Also I think that most bandsters that have complications are compliant iwth the "band rules". Hope you are able to revise to something better and safer soon!

Good luck!