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I would not recommend the lap band. I've had mine since 2012 and am currently in process of a revision to a sleeve. At first I lost a few pounds 40-50, then after about a year it slipped. Doctor took the fluid out and had to wait a month before I got it filled again. Same amount which was max but this time no restriction. After another year of frustration and gaining most of my weight back I went back to get a revision. My insurance denied me. In the meantime I tore my meniscus, with my weight so high I had a very hard time walking so I'd make it to work to sit and home to sit. I tried many things suggested by my doctor to no avail. I joined yet another weight loss clinic to have my loss recorded. After spending well over $1000 I quit because Ins didn't cover it. Tried probably a year later to again be denied. Their reason was I didn't do enough exercise. I could barely walk or stand for any length of time. So I kind of gave up and kept gaining. I eventually the doctor did a knee replacement and my knee is great! 3 weeks after my surgery I got plantar fasciitis in my other foot. If you haven't ever had it, believe me it is excruciating pain. That last about 15 months. Now I'm retired and decided I'm sick of being fat! So I went back to my surgeon and said let's try it again. Next month will be my 4th month then they will schedule my surgery. I just want to get it over with. When I initially enemy in for the lap band the doctor tried to talk me out of it because it's not as successful. But I had my mind set on it. Shortly after he quit doing them. I should have listened to him
Sorry this is so long, I hope it helps.
Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping to connect with some of you that had a revision from Band to RNY (the majority of the posts that match are several years old).
I was banded in 2007 and have yoyo'ed and am now at my pre-surgical weight again after 12 years. I met with a bariatrician that recommended that I go to RNY for my revision, and I'm in the process of joining the program and getting surgical approval (including possibly 6 months of medical weight loss program before qualifying).
In those 12 years of yo-yo'ing, I've tried pretty much everything and always slide back, and at this point, I've stopped trying, as my metabolism is a mess from all these years of insanity. Going to RNY is the next logical choice - I need the malabsorption and all the other mixed blessings to lose weight at this point (as the doctor said, I don't have a big enough hammer to get this done).
So, all that said, I have some questions for those of you who have gone this route.
- Were you able to do both procedures in the same surgery, or did you have to go in twice, and if so, why?
- How was the healing process for you? My doc is saying 4 weeks off work, not 4 days, as it was with my band. Since I have a desk job, I'm hoping I can still work from home after a few days while finishing the healing process (my brain isn't having surgery, after all).
- How did you handle the change emotionally/mentally, compared to your band? Was it more reminders of how to eat and think, or is it drastically different?
- Any tips or things to keep in mind?
Thanks in Advance!
Surgery, 8/22/07. In it for the long haul!
I had an open RNY in 2004. Up to 6 yrs ago things were ok. Then I was experiencing alot of pain after eating even the most soft or liquid and ending up self vomiting to get it out. After a year I had an endo done and the doc said my anastomosis was tightening up. He widened it but lasted only a couple of days and back to the same. Had a second one with same result. Forward to present. A year ago I went to a different doctor and he put in a stent to keep the opening from closing but the stent wasn't suppose to be a permanent solution. During this time I was having the same vomiting problems but not as often. Stent came out a month ago I am back to the same. Short of putting another stent in which isn't fixing the problem, I am reaching out and asking those on this forum if you have any suggestions. I want a revision but I live in Wisconsin and there doesn't seem to be any surgeons I can find that do revisions. Appreciate any insight. Cindy
I stocked up on a lot of protein powder and broth. I did not realize I would only be having a tablespoon at a time, so it was a long time before it got used up.
Real life begins where your comfort zone ends
Wow! Thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate it! And I know you are going to be successful!!!
I just had my band removed three weeks ago. My original RNY was in 2005. I do not recommend the band for the following reasons:
- Cost. They aren't covered by most insurance plans. Most of the places that sell these bands use predatory, sleazy loan companies to finance their procedures. You will end up paying 2-3 times the amount of the loan by the time you pay it off. I got screwed out of more than $20,000 - over and above the cost of the band.
- They don't work. I had three "fills" after experiencing no weight loss and no sensation of being able to eat less. I was told that my band contained the maximum amount of saline. When my band removal surgeon tried to remove the saline at my first visit, it contained no fluid. The band had a hole in it the whole time, and the saline was just leaking out whenever I got a fill.
- Nasty side effects. I had chronic pain in my side around the injection port under the skin, which felt like a bruise. The band commonly slides around, causing intermittent problems like acid reflux and regurgitation of food. I couldn't swallow a lot of weird things, like smoothies. For some reason I couldn't swallow anything for the first hour after getting up in the mornings. Often the band will erode into your esophagus over time, which causes life threatening complications. I also used to get painful upper belly cramps after eating certain foods, I haven't had any since the band was removed. I had to sleep sitting upright to prevent reflux and regurgitation at night.
I'm now trying to arrange to get a Duodenal Switch, which is really the best revision surgery for a RNY. It has the best long term weight loss and you lose the most weight. The drawback is that it's a complex procedure and not many surgeons perform it. I've read that some people get gastric sleeves, but they don't provide as much weight loss and they fail after a few years as the stomach grows back to its original size. There's no malabsorption to help you keep the weight off as there is with an RNY or DS. Also, it's a lot harder to "undo" a RNY for a gastric sleeve (they have to move the intestines back to where they were before the RNY), so it's often an open surgery.
Hello, I had a revision on 1/16/2020. Just to give a little background information, I had RYN 2008 weighing 256 pounds. I got down to 183 pounds and stayed there for about 7 years. I slowly started gaining the weight back in 2015. So in 2016 I had the lap band over bypass surgery. That was the worse decision ever. I had complications left and right. I started going to a weight loss surgery clinic And the doctors there told me that they would remove the band and do a revision to the original RYN. I had to start the nutrition phase over again and see a psychiatrist several times. I met all the requirements and My insurance approved the revision. At the time of surgery I was 218 pounds and exactly one week later I am 205 pounds. I'm still on liquids though. My surgery was Thursday and I went back to work the following Tuesday. It's going good so far. No complications so far. My first post op appointment is Friday 1/31. I looking forward to it.
I was recently converted from a gastric sleeve to an RNY due to GERD. I am below weight and at this time malnourished due to the GERD prior to surgery. Since surgery, I have little to no appetite. I'm taking in well over 60-80 ozs. of fluid a day, but struggle to get 60 grams of protein in. My blood pressure is low and my doctor is concerned because of my dizziness, weight loss and I'm also on blood thinners due to a stroke. Prior to surgery my blood pressure was always very normal. Has anyone else had problems with their blood pressure?
I believe the RNY is the same as a gastric bypass per my surgeon. The RNY was the only option offered to me due to all the issues I was having.
@Kay
That is great to go to someone highly recommended and people close to you referred you that 100% 
So Im sure your very comfortable and never stop asking questions!
Good Luck!
