Band emptied today

I have been going back and forth about a revision. I had a slight fill .5 about a month ago and have had nothing but problems. It is hard to think about getting a new band when I have never been able to have full restriction. The most I have ever had in my band is 1.5 in a 4 cc band. Now I know the new bands are different but with the once in a lifetime surgery I want to make sure I make the right decision.

Has anyone else ever done a lap band revision? Anyone else have a problem with fills? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

According to Allergan:

~~Special Notice

the manufacturer of the LAP-BAnD ® Adjustable gastric  Banding system has designed, tested and manufactured  it to be reasonably fit for its intended use. However, the  LAP-BAnD ® system is not a lifetime product and it  may break or fail, in whole or in part, at any time  after implantation and notwithstanding the absence  of any defect. causes of partial or complete failure  include, without limitation, expected or unexpected  bodily reactions to the presence and position of the  implanted device, rare or atypical medical complications,  component failure and normal wear and tear. in  addition, the LAP-BAnD ® system may be easily  damaged by improper handling or use. Please refer to  the adverse events section in this document and to the  information for Patients booklet for a presentation of the  warnings, precautions, and the possible adverse events  associated with the use of the LAP-BAnD ® Adjustable 

gastric Banding system.~~

Note, it says it is not a lifetime product ***AND*** it may break or fail.  So even if it doesn't break or fail it's not going to last a lifetime.

Still want to think about getting anoher band?

Sending hugs your way.....my dr did not recommend revising to another band. He said the damage done on my insides would make a second band more difficult and would probably cause even more problems. So, I revised to a sleeve and I have no regrets. Best of luck to you.....I know how you feel.

I've yet to hear of a long term success with rebanding, mainly because the band is not designed for long term use. The band causes severe damage to the stomach eventually and like Gordita said it doesn't work well at all and just causes more damage. There are better and more long term surgeries to look at. Wish you the best, now is the time to research your options.

 

You're not alone sweetie. The band doesn't work long term for most. Some not even short term. My advice would be cut your losses and revise. Good luck!

I am a band to sleeve revision.  Even though I am only 4 months out, I am already 15/20 lower than I was with the band 3.5 years.  It is so much easier even as a revision which are slower losers.  I have restriction which I could never get right with the band.  I had damage from the band so another band was never a consideration.  The surgeon had suggestion moving the port and trying again.  After he got inside he realized that wouldn't have been an option and the band would have been removed even if I had wanted to try again.

My insurance went to a 1 in a Lifetime WLS policy while I was revising.  They approved the band removal but I had to fight to get the sleeve.  Think hard about what you want before using up you options.

Hi Donna,

I revised to a sleeve 3 weeks ago after having my band for 7 years.  With the band I always had to know where the bathroom was, because so much food got stuck and I'd have to vomit.  Turns out my band had slipped and caused a hernia.

Now when I eat with the sleeve I feel what I thought I would with the band - full.  Not stuck, but full and satisfied.  No vomiting, no fills, and no more looking to find the bathroom in restaurants.

Check out the VSG board - a lot of the folks there have had a revision too.  It is totally a personal decision, and I wish you the best of luck!

My surgeon won't replace a band with another band.  To him it just doesn't make sense if you have had issues with this band you are likely to have them with another band.  HOWEVER, there are people that had the old 4cc band that got a new band and have been fine.

I would probably revise to the Sleeve if you don't have issues with reflux and the purely restrictive surgery has helped you lose the weight you need to lose.  I lost my band last month and am not a candidate for the sleeve so am considering RNY.  I wanted to try to go without a revision but I'm already struggling with portion control.

I loved my band and am mourning the loss of the tool that helped me lose 100+ lbs. but I didn't have a choice.  

Prayers as you make this difficult decision!

Lisa O.

 

Just wondering why you had your band removed???