Depression. No success. Only setbacks.

I'm coming up on my three year bandiversary, and so far, I've only had issues since my surgery.

I've had to go back numerous times for fills and unfills, and although that sounds normal, it really isn't.   I've gone on a Monday for a fill, Tuesday for an unfill, Thursday to fill back, and back Friday night for an emergency unfill because of pain just moving.  I suffer from severe sinus drainage, so I have days that I can't even drink water because it fills up my pouch and nothing can go through.  Also, I found out I have a leak in my pouch that will only be fixed "for only $7500."  Or, I can come back every three weeks at $100 a visit and keep getting filled.  (Oh, and the surgeon's office is 59 miles away) 

After having so many issues with vomiting due to drainage, I had to BEG and PLEAD with my surgeon and his staff to completely unfill me.  They finally did, reluctantly, and still, over a year later, I'm still having at least 1 or 2 days a week of vomiting because of drainage.  And the worst part -- it happens so randomly.  It's not allergies, ... it just ... happens. 

Tomorrow, I'm calling my family doctor for a referal to get the band taken out.  I've not lost a pound in over 2 years. 

I miss enjoying a meal where I don't have to worry about "Oh god, am I going to get sick? Who's watching me?" 

 

Am I just over reacting?  I'm so upset, frustrated, angry, sad, ....  I feel like once again, if there's one slightest chance of failure, I'm always that person.

First off, it's not your fault this isn't working out for you. Your band has probably damaged nerves at the gastroesophageal junction, causing anything you swallow to get stuck in your esophagus.

While I'm not a doctor, I have some experience with this and know dozens of banded people who have varying degrees of achalasia caused by bands. You need a referral to a gastroenterologist for testing. Egd, ugi and esophageal manometry testing is what you should ask for. If your band isn't empty, it most likely should be, though I have to tell you that some of us with this complication have gotten worse after unfills.

This is something you have to take control of. It can make the difference between a functioning and non functioning esophagus.

Best of luck to you.

Steph

I'm sorry to hear you are going thru this.   I had issues and had it removed.  I'm so glad it's gone.

My surgeon says the band does not work.

 

First of all, there is more than a slight chance of band failure.  This has happened to many of us banders.

If you have had your band unfilled for a year and are still having random committing 1 to 2 times a week, it sound like you need your band out.

I had a referral to get mine out and they and I decided to try once again.  I kept at First; there isn't/wasn't a slight change, many have gone thru what you are going thru.  As your band has been unfilled already for over a year and you are still having 1 or 2 days a week of random vomiting , sounds like you need to get the referral to get the it 18 more moths.  I wish I had gone thru getting it out 18 months sooner.  I just didn't want to admit defeat.  I paid with pain the whole time.

Check out the failed band group.

I am in the same boat as you.  I am waiting to hear from a surgeon to see if my insurance will pay for removal, but even if it does not, it is $6k to remove and it is worth it at this point as I am sitting here at work and am sliming over my huge breakfast of a string cheese.   

I also have the sinus issue that you do, and no matter how many times I ask, they will not do a complete unfill.  I have gained pretty much all of what I lost, at this point my pre op surgery did me better than the band.  

I will keep my fingers crossed that you get that referral and can get back to normal!

 

 

How can they refuse to do a complete unfill.  You are the boss of your own body.  You know if it is causing you issues.

 

For $2K more you can have your band removed AND a revision to a sleeve.  Sleeves do what bands stop doing after a couple of years.

Yep, I had done a ton or research and already had the DH on board with going to Mexico for the sleeve if the insurance didn't come thru.  I than found a surgeon here in the US that would do it for 2K more.  He was the surgeon of another OH member and is no longer doing bands due to complications.  That alone made me feel better that he would give up the $$$ for the sake of his patients.

I had considered revision, but I think for me that is trading one set of issues with another.  After this experience, I am a little put off about another surgical assistant to help with my weight loss, I will just need to resolve myself to work harder to lose it myself and not use any tools to help me (other thank a diet plan and meal tracker)  I am skittish to do anything else, as I have never regretted anything as much as I regret this band. 

I hear ya!  I know just how you feel.

With my regain while the band was out and I was fighting the insurance company, I realized I couldn't do it without help.  Now that I am sleeved, I am so happy I did it.  I will tell you, the first two months after the sleeve, I KNEW I was going to fail at this too.  I would cry to my daughter and she would have to slap me and get me out of my pity party.  

The band doesn't just do physical damage, it causes a whole new set of mind issues.

Good luck getting yours removed.