My explanation for my failed Band

ok where do I start. My surgery was Dec. 11th, 2008 so it has been a year. I lost all total 57 pounds and then the dreaded happened. Even with exercise and diet the weightloss stopped. I got very disappointed and when I gained a pound or two i got depressed wondering what I was doing wrong. Well along with all this my port incision would not heal properly, it would almost heal then open and start draining clear serum fluid. The doctors at that time said that in some people it could take upwards to a year to heal well I just kept working to get this thing healed. Over the period of a year i had 4 fills which all totaled 8cc's in a 9cc band my last fill was December 5th of this year I went back on my surgiversary in which should be a celebration they checked the band only to find out out it is leaking I only had 3 cc's left in it. I was devastated. This left a bad taste in my mouth not for my doctor but for the insurance company who continues to ok these bands which i didn't want on the first place I wanted VSG  and they would not approve it. Now I am told that they approve the VSG and so my doc is putting in for what they call a revision/removal with VSG 3-4 weeks afterwards. I am not getting my hopes up either way the band has to be removed. So thats my story and believe me after losing 57 pounds I started to feel better and my doctors were astonished by the loss and would not give me my first fill because of that I had to wait I lost all that in 4 months, man it was great while it lasted.

OMG! That has been one hell of an ordeal for you. I am so sorry. I hope this revision will make you happier and healthier honey. You let me know if you need anything. WELCOME BACK DUSTY!!!!! (((HUGS)))

UGH....so sorry!!!  I'll keep everything crossed that you FINALLY get approved for VSG!!

i know heather m had a revision to vsg and is LOVing it. i'm sorry you had to go through that though. very scary. so you have to do two surgeries? they can't do the revision while they are in to take the band out?

Hi Nicole,
    He told me that if there isn't to much scar tissue on the stomach  he will do it right then, but if  there  is alot of scar tissue on the stomach it will have to rest for at least 3 weeks. He just said that with scar tissue they have to staple through it and it has a tendency to leak if there's alot of it.

i think heather was told the same thing but they were able to do it so hopefully you'll wake up and have your vsg. good luck!

Dusty, to clarify, my band slipped after a horrific vomiting episode. Dr. Schweitzer had to go in surgically to see if he could fix the slip. If he couldn't when he got in there he planned on doing the VSG. He never mentioned doing it later if there was scar tissue. When he got in there I had massive scar tissue and my stomach was adhered to my liver via scar tissue. The 90 minute planned surgery lasted 5.5 hours. I had my band removed, scar tissue cleaned out, and got the VSG done all in the same shot. Dr. S oversewed/double sutured everything and kept me two extra days in the hospital for observation. I passed the leak test and I've been GREAT since. Just to avoid the double surgery I pray for you that you have no scar tissue. I was the biggest advocate for the band because I did so well with mine, but now at 3 years post op and having had my own revision plus knowing so many people who have had an issue needing revisions I would NOT recommend anyone get the band. It's just not a long term solution.

So sorry you are having so much trouble, but 57 pounds is nothing to snarf at. My husband is fighting with his band right now too.  He lost about the same as you and just got a fill last week but cant tell a difference.  The doctor did check to make sure all the fluid was still there and it is. He said he feels hungrier now than before. Glad you are getting your revision. Dont feel bad, you did a good job with what you had in there. I had to have my band removed in june after only 3 weeks, im just now getting to the point of maybe kinda thinking about doing another surgery. im scared to death after everything i been through but im steadily gaining back what i lost. 

Oh and about the port. I had my last surgery in June and I think (think) my port is finally healing up.  I have had it draining since then and have even had to get ulstrasounds and cat scans to make sure there was no tunnel but *knocking on wood* it finally seems to be looking good.

Wow! that sucks so much! i will be praying that this little (ok, big) snag gets fixed and you can continue on your weightloss journey!

Dusty, I am sorry to hear you have had so many problems. I have heard great things about VSG. I really want to wish you all the best. I hope you can get all done with 1 surgery. Keep your head up and I will be praying for a speedy recovery and uneventful surgery for you.


                                                                                Julie