Five years post Banding and Four months post Revision

It has now been 5 years since I was Banded.  As many know, I loved my Band.  It helped me lose 270lbs.  Then suddenly it started tightening and causing me a lot of problems.  Previous to that time, I had the picture perfect Banding experience.  Not one unfill, not one problem of any sort.  I lost 100 lbs in 4.5 months after being banded on no fills.  I was in love with my Band and felt it loved me too.

Once my surgeon and I met, after a perfectly normal UGI, he decided to ask the insurance to approve a removal and revision to the Sleeve.  Since I had done so well with the LapBand as a restrictive procedure, he said, he knew I would do well with the Sleeve.  I have.

I was approved in less than an hour.  He and I were amazed!

I have been very happy as a Sleever.  I did have some reflux as many do, started on Prilosec and on the 24th, exactly 4 months post Sleeve, my reflux stopped completely.  I have not taken my meds again and have not had one problem.  I read this happens frequently.

I am able to eat anything.  I do not have an intolerance for dry solid proteins, I am happy, losing and feeling like I made the best decision.

My Band had left a lot of scar tissue and my tubing was wrapped around my internal organs.  I was fortunate.  Very fortunate to have it removed before it caused serious damage.

Take it from me, IF you have a LapBand, have never had problems, and haven't had a recent fill - then you start having nightly reflux or frequent stuck episodes, PLEASE SEE YOU SURGEON ASAP!  Do not ignore your symptoms.  I am glad I didn't ignore mine!

Thanks for sharing your story and your success .... Congratulations!

Thanks Kathkeb!

I am trying to get this thing out of me.  I was banded in 2007 and started having the same problems as you describe. I am waiting for insurance approval.

Good Luck!  I hope they approve you fast!

 

Thank you for sharing your story. I am so glad your band problems have been resolved by your revision and that all is going well for you.

kate

Thank you Kate!

I'm glad too!  I was so afraid of gaining back up to almost 500lbs.  I don't ever want to weigh that much again!  Never!

If you don't mind me asking. What kind of insurance do you have? Mine won't cover revision. It's a "one per life time" wls procedure.

I have United Healthcare. I paid cash for my Lapband and have paid cash for all of my plastics.

Welcome to the sleeved life!!  It's everything I thought the band was going to be.  Congrats!