LapBand, get 'stuck' all the time - revise to Sleeve?

I too have gone thru this.  I also had fluid removed did better.  Than as I lost it tightened instead of losing.  I had more out and can eat/drink better.

The fact that I just keep losing and it keeps tightening, they feel I just keep building scare tissue.  I have choosen to get it out as the port pain is just getting worse and they can't do a fill/unfill without so much pain I can't take it.

You might want to go to the revison boards with this question.  Lots of great info there.

Hi  pineview01,

The Revision Board is a great suggestion, thank you. I wish you well with your journey.

Kathi

Your welcome and Thank You!

If you are following the rules, are not too tight, and are still feeling discomfort and gaining weight, then by all means look into something else. 

Being constantly stuck is not only uncomfortable, it will encourage weight gain as we eat foods that don't cause that feeling, which are often the things that aren't' good for us. (But you already know that.) It seems some of us with bands never can get to a comfort level where there is enough fill to promote weight loss but not enough to cause discomfort.

The port problem won't be there with another type of surgery, and the port won't go away unless you have it surgically removed, so if it bothers you the only real solution is to remove it.

You seem pretty strong in your desire to have your band removed, so pursue it with your surgeon, and especially ask about potential complications, costs, and time frames.  You might do well to post on the Revision board as well as the Sleeve forum to hear other experiences.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 Hi Judy,

Thank you so much for your response!  I will go to the Revision Boards, as you another member suggested.

You are correct about the port, although my surgeon said he could move it to a more comfortable location. My concern is, what if it's not more comfortable? One would think he would have put it in a comfortable position in the first place. And it is already difficult for him to locate my port when he has done a fill, or unfill, in the past.

I've started medical and psych evaluation the process for a revision, however, I'm going to make an appt. to have some MORE saline removed. It's best if I see if that's helpful BEFORE taking the giant step to another major surgery.

Thanks again,
Kathi

It is upsetting to my family as well. They know the "stuck face". I hate that it is such an issue for them. I always try to reassure them that I'll be ok, but they know when something is not going down well and when I am in distress. I too look forward to having mine out and not getting stuck at various times for NO apparent reason. Good luck!

You are strikingly beautiful, Kathi!  Nice new avatar! 

 Such a wonderful compliment, thank you Nic M!!

I know what it's like to get stuck and it is not fun.  And if you're getting stuck at every meal. . . you poor thing!

While you wait to figure out what you want to do (revision, relocate port, etc), just get the thing emptied.  You don't deserve to suffer with stuck episodes multiple times a day!!!

My band has been empty since May of 2010 when I got severe gastritis after being treated for a sinus infection (the antibiotics got my stomach inflamed), and haven't had a fill since.  Hmm.  I've actually been empty almost as long as I've had fluid in it.  Luckily, I haven't gained any weight since then.

Anyway, even with my band completely empty, I still get stuck on occasion. But it's nowhere near as bad as what you're having to deal with.

I hear you on the port thing.  Mine's not annoying enough to do anything about, but leaning on counters or even trying to use some of the machines at the gym weirds me out.  Not to mention that it's flipped and covered in scar tissue.  Fun times!  

Hang in there and I hope you get some relief soon!

Hello, I have had my Oband since 9/11/2011. I have not had a fill since 12/2011n since my insurance changed my original dr will no longer see me. I had to find a new dr. We did the endoscopy which showed that I had severe gastris. My port hurts if I push on it. If freaks me out a little. I just had my gallbladder taken out 3/2013 since test showed that it was bad. BUT I am still getting food stuck. I have been trying to eat really healthy. I chew my food very good. I recently started taking chia seeds due to the high percentage of soulable and unsoluable fiber to try to get more regular. I took chia seeds this evening, and then ate a handful of almonds. Again.... chewing very well. I havent been able to get it past my port for over 3 hours and it hurts. IF I drink anything I just end up throwing it up. I guess my main question at this point is, Do I need to go to the hospital if it wont pass? I want my oband/port out SOOO bad. Ive had it for 18 mo and lost about 30lbs. WHOHOO!!! Ive actually lost more since I started doing the Fat Loss Factor diet. I just want to STOP chokcing. This is defenitly the worst its ever been. I usually can get it to pass, painfully... but I can get it to pass. This time I cant. My surgeon keeps telling me that there has to be a Medical reason to have it out or Medicare wont pay for it. Isnt choking every time I eat goood enough?:? Help!!! Anyone out there. I dont know what to do anymore. Im tired of being afraid to eat. For a long time there I did just that, If I ate 1 meal a day I was doing good. I have no appeitate at all. period. I have to force myself to eat. I have a feeling this is what has stopped my weight loss. My body is in starvation mode. So when I do eat those "foods" that go down easy.... like chocholate. IT just keeps it all. Does anyone know if Medicare will pay?

 

Thanks, Jaimie