Five years post Banding and Four months post Revision

Thank you for your post!  I've had bad acid reflux for a couple of years now, and it's recently gotten worse.  I've rarely felt full in the almost 7 years since banding - only stuck.  I finally went back to my surgeon this week and told him I needed a break and asked for an unfill, which he gave me.  He listened to my symptoms and immediately sent me for an upper GI.  As I was having the UGI, the Radiologist told me that NOTHING was getting through to my stomach.  I had to wiggle around and take deep breaths for the barium to trickle into my stomach (which is what I've gotten used to doing sometimes to get the food to move through).

My surgeon wants to do the right thing, which is to remove the band and revise to VSG, while repairing the small hiatal hernia I also have.  I'm hoping insurance (UHC) will cover at least part of the cost.  I'm dreading starting all over again - any feedback (good and bad) about your revision would be greatly appreciated!

I have a good friend from my support group that had the exact result from her UGI.  Her doctor told her the Sleeve would be the worst surgery for her because of her motility issues.  Make sure your surgeon makes a good choice on your revision.  I would hate for you to have further problems.  Her surgeon made her wait 6 months before revising her to the RNY.  She had absolutely no motility left.  The Lapband had destroyed that part of her stomach.  I hope your stomach is okay!

My UGI showed, slow motility, but motility was present.

I do love my Sleeve.  I had gained 42 lbs when my Band malfunctioned and I've now lost that and much more.  I know I made the right decision.  I just love never getting stuck, never vomiting (have not vomited once since I got my Band out) and I love being able to eat solid, dense protein.  I never kept my band tight.  I had very little fill and yet, toward the end of my Banding life, I couldn't eat dense protein without sliming.  The scar tissue had grown up around the band so severely.

I wish you luck with the approval and more luck with your removal and revision.  Life doesn't have to suck so badly!  It will get better and you will once again be able to eat properly and sleep a night without the dreaded acid reflux. 

I am now off all meds for Reflux and sleeping through the night.  Finally!