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My doctor wanted me to get the band removed asap after discovering it had slipped even though I wasn't having any problems. There is a healing time period of at least 3 months before he would do a revision. My doctor will only do a VSG for me because I don't have a high BMI like I did originally when I started this venture. He won't do lapbands anymore. Funny thing is my insurance will pay for a new lapband but not a sleeve.
For your health and safety, get the band removed. You will have time to make your decision while you are healing.
My experience is your insurance will cover the band removal but not a revision. Not all insurance companies are the same so hopefully you will win the battle. My doctors fought for me but to no avail so I am going to self pay for a VSG.
Hi Shelley,
I was wondering what your status is now. I, too am having symptoms and seeing a surgeon on Aug. 14th to see what he recommends. I had a gastrectomy which showed a wide opening & elongated stomach, which this Gastroenterologist has never seen before. He suspects internal hernia and scar tissue so suggested laproscopic surgery by my Bariatric surgeon. I am 5 years out and 1 1/2 years ago started gaining weight & struggle to keep from gaining more. I too have had several surgeries so scar tissue is probable. Hope you have some answers soon. Take care.
Blessings,
Emma
Hi Ginnie. I remember you from a few years back. Did your surgery go ok? I hope you're feeling well.
6'3" tall, male.
Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.
M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.
I'm scheduled for a band removal later this month. I think the band is doing some good, but my weight peaked at nearly 100% regain 8 years out. At 11 years out, I have dieted down to about 50% regain. I anticipate revision surgery in October or November.
The sleeve sounds safe and good (I'm a relative lightweight), but I'm scared of regain again. The surgeons assure me that regain is rare with DS, but described a bunch of potential surgical and long-term problems (even diapers!). The DS surgeon would be happy to do a DS if I want, but says it is unavoidably more dangerous than the sleeve.
Are there any long-term band-to-sleeve patients who can tell me about your experiences with with weight loss and regain? After a few years, is the sleeve any different than a lap band would be? If you have stayed at your target weight, how did you do it? If you haven't, what got in the way?
Any other thoughts?
Listen to your gut. Having a regular lap band sucked I couldn't imagine having one over a bypass.
The darn band did damage to my stomach and when I had my revision to the bypass I had to have a 2 inch piece of my stomach removed.
Last I knew the statics for band over bypass were not good. Not much weight loss and issues with the band fills.
If I were you I would make sure my tool was still in working order and then get back to basics. Protein first, some veggies, plenty of water, vitamins. Track/Measure everything you eat.
Dr. Sanchez Lapband 9/12/2003
hw305/revision w280/cw197/gw150
Revision from Lap Band to Bypass on 2/4/2015 by Dr. Pohl
Hi, It's been a while since I've been here. To make a long story short, I had the Gastric Bypass done in January of 2011. My highest (starting) weight was 290 and my lowest weight after the bypass was 210. I never met the goal I had for myself and have regained weight and am at 260. I am scheduled to have Band over Bypass surgery in 2 weeks but my gut feeling is telling me not to do it. I've been obsessively trying to find information and reviews for this procedure, but haven't really found much. Has anyone had this procedure done? What are your reviews on it? Thanks.
Thank you so much for responding! I am so encouraged that you have kept the weight off for so long after a dramatic regain with the sleeve. Thank you!!!!
