Lap band, no lap band...lap band again?

Haven't been on here in eons. I had lap band surgery in 2008. After losing about 130 lbs in 18 months, I was flying high. Was down to a size 6-8 and actually liking to shop! However, over the course of the next few years, my lap band slipped several times. Fast forward to 2012 and another slippage. At this point I had reflux SO bad I could not lay down to sleep...at all. Every time I fell asleep, I would wake up in the middle of a severe reflux episode. The decision was made with a local surgeon (who had awesome reviews online) to remove the band, and replace it with a newer. more technologically advanced band than what I had. Well, things did not go as planned. The doctor accidentally cut a small hole in my stomach while removing the band and could not replace it with a new one. I healed and moved back to California, from Texas. Today, my doctor told me that I have a hernia, probably caused by surgery. It hurts and needs to be fixed surgically. He also said I need to lose several pounds, pounds that I have regained since losing my band. He said if I went in for weight loss surgery again, they could fix the hernia at the same time. I just don't know what to do now. Lap band isn't having the success rates they thought it would back when I had the original surgery. There is also a larger percentage of people going back into surgery due to lap band issues. I am not comfortable with any of the surgeries removing parts of my stomach either. Thoughts? Suggestions? 

I answered this! At length. But my post isn't here!!!!  I'll try again. If you suddenly have two answers - I'll come back and remove one.

You say you don't want a surgery to remove bits of your stomach,  but it rather sounds as if, partly due to the band and partly due to your surgeon making a hole in your stomach, you already have been "altered".  

I also have a basic reluctance to have bits of me removed and if I ever lost my band I honestly don't know what I would do.  I am almost sure I would not have another surgery.  Having said that most band to sleeve revisions and band to bypass revisions seem to work well.  Not all! I have good online friends for whom the revisions were definitely not good moves - but from reading on here, they seem to be in the minority. 

I have been fortunate - at 9 years post-op my band is still working well for me. I hope I may never have to make these decisions!

So, sorry, not being much help! But I do understand! 

I think it depends on whether you actually need another weight loss surgery, or whether you just need to 'lose several pounds' -- I don't know what 'several' means.

If I had enough weight to lose that I thought that WLS was warranted again, I would not replace my band.  I, personally, would go with the VSG because I don't want malabsorption.

I have had good luck with my band --- but I know the odds are not favoring it as a lifetime tool ---- so, there is no chance that I would get another band if/when this one needs to come out.

My personal opinion for myself is I would go with the sleeve because I don't need malabsorbtion. So for me the sleeve would be the best option and I was already to have it except my health went down hill and my insurance doesn't cover it.

I was trying to hang onto my band until I could have it done all at one time, band removal and sleeve. Then last year the band pain got so bad I just couldn't live with it anymore and had to have my band removed but no sleeve. Now because of the damage done by my band to my stomach I don't qualify for surgery anymore, I am almost at goal.

My stomach no longer empties correctly and I have a very difficult time eating, I can only eat tiny amounts of food at a time. I have to eat several times a day and only little bits at a time. I can only eat somewhat soft foods and often have to puree things to be able to get them down. Then the fun part comes the pain and cramping from gas and the food backing up, constipation even tho I take stool softeners. If I'm lucky with in a day or so it will pass on thru, but more likely I'll have to take a laxative and wait for that to work on thru in a few days and then I get a couple of days without pain and gas. However within another day or two it starts the cycle allover again and thanks to the band I will have to live with this for the rest of my life.

So anyway if I could I would go with the sleeve since it leaves a normal stomach just smaller and the basic surgery has been around for decades and done for stomach cancer and ulcers so it is a fairly common surgery. It also has a very low complication rate and it actually works like they told us the band would work. The chances of keeping the weight off without another surgery is pretty slim. I wish you the best and hope you will be able to make the choice.

Sounds like you need your Band removed and the hiatial hernia repaired.  Been there, done that.  With reflux as bad as you described the Sleeve is not the best option.  I had some similar issues with my Band (from 2006) and revised to RNY and haven't looked back.  I was reluctant  to have what seemed like such drastic surgery but the funny truth is that I feel more normal with my Bypass than I ever did with the Band and the port. 

Only you and your Doctor's can know what is right for you.  If you only need to lose a few pounds then you shouldn't need any type of WLS.  If you need to lose a significant amount then WLS is really the best way to go IMO.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Please re-read my original post. My band WAS removed.....

I am SO sorry.  Paragraphs help readers to sort through information easier.  

I still wish you good luck - sounds like you are having a hard time.

I've had a lap band for 11 years, and in three months I'm revising to RNY.  I haven't had any lap band issues - the placement is still good, restriction still good, etc, but I just didn't lose nearly enough weight.

With new information showing the long term rate of re-operation, combined with the fact that only about 50% of people have successful weight loss with it, I'm not a big fan of the band.  For anyone considering WLS, I encourage them to consider the sleeve or RNY.

I know that having your stomach cut up is scary as hell.  That's why I went with the band (although the sleeve wasn't around or at least offered near me when I was banded).  However, the complications with the sleeve seem to be so low that it makes it a much better option than the band.  Yes, there is a slightly higher initial risk, but the band is much worse long term with the chance for slippage, erosion, port flipping, etc.  

In your shoes, I'd read a LOT about the sleeve, including success rates and chances of complications vs. the lap band.  I personally think the sleeve makes a lot more sense than the band, given what we know now about long term band complications.  However, if after doing your research, you absolutely, positively are not okay with the sleeve, then I would get re-banded.  While the band has it's limitations, it's certainly better than nothing and better than being overweight.  I'm still morbidly obese with the band, but I know I'd weigh a heck of a lot more without it.

The only reason I'm going with RNY instead of the sleeve is because I am prediabetic with a very strong family history of diabetes, and the intestinal rerouting of RNY helps with insulin levels.  I'd much prefer the sleeve since it's really a low risk surgery and has much more success than the lap band.

I'm not one to mince words...GET RID OF YOUR DAMN BAND !

She has actually said twice that she has already had her band removed.