Slipped band - need advice!

Hey everyone - been away a while.. had my beautiful baby,  he is now 3 months old.

I had to go see my bariatric surgeon due to some pain/aching i was feeling in my belly - after two upper GIs  they told me today that my band has slipped and will have to be surgically corrected.

I have to make a decision - take it out?  have band corrected? revise to bypass..

i could really use some advice.. 

I was only banded for 4 months before i got pregnant - was successful but had alot of vomitting in pregnancy - which is most likely cause if slip.

i know it's a personal choice - but what would you do in my shoes?   if you had RNY - do you regret it or would you do it again in a heartbeat?


thanks - Valerie

My lapband never worked so I had a revision to the RNY.  Simple, easy, complication free and reached goal in less than one year.  For ME, it wasn't a matter of choice but necessity.  My only regret was that I didn't do the RNY first and much sooner.  With my band I vomited daily and it caused me to develop a huge hiatal hernia which had to be surgically corrected.  Good luck in your decision, I guess I would recommend sitting down with your doc and getting his/her opinion.

I had that talk with him today.  He told me really - it was up to me.  If i was heavier than I currently am (187) then he would probably push me to bypass - but said technically my band has failed at this point - and i could either try again, give up, or go the other route.      Said he could redo the band, but coudln't promise me that it wouldn't slip again.  and his slip rate is less than 1% even counting me.   He also told me that the fact my band slipped would put me at a higher risk of 'leak' complications for RNY - but i honestly dont' even remember what that is from when I did all my research on surgery types.     I'm just at a loss..   my hubby has RNY and is almost a year out and 100 lbs thinner..  and he's done great.  He can't have steak or Bread or anything really cold.. but other than that - he's great.   I think he wants me to go RNY or well I guess I could say that it makes more sense to him - but i want other opinions. 

Did you have any trouble with your insurance approving the revision?

I can't believe he would do a RNY on you only being 187 (unless you're short which would raise your BMI).  I didn't have any trouble with insurance cuz I was 242 with the lapband and 240 with the RNY-not a very successful band in 2 years huh?  My BMI was right at 40 with co-morbidities. 

I've always heard the slip rate increases after one slip but I don't know how common that is.  I have a friend whose band slipped and she had a revision to a RNY also without any complications.  I have no idea why a band removal would put you at higher risk for a leak.  I would need to do some research on that one.

yeah - i'm only 5'1 - so at 187 i think my BMI is like 35.8 or something like that  (from memory of what nurse wrote yesterday).

I am so sorry to hear that you have a slip, but glad to hear that you have a beautiful baby boy!  How exciting is that!

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably still stick with the band, maybe the sleeve, the whole malabsorbsion thing still scares the crap out of me, but that's just MY opinion, since I so hate taking pills of any kind.   I'm not going to bash anyone's decision on what type of WLS they have, it is THEIR personal choice.  Which ever surgery you have, you still have to learn to work that "tool of choice".   When I chose the band, I knew that I would have to have fills, eat according to the band rules, etc, etc.  I'm not the perfect bandster, I still have ice cream, still eat chocolate, yes I have lost slow but that is perfectly fine with me, I didn't get fat overnight, and sure didn't expect to get skinney overnight.  Ultimately the decision is yours, do your research on all of the surgeries, DS might also be an option. 

What ever you decide, do it for you, and how you feel about it.  If you are a person of faith, pray on it.

Wishing you the best on what ever avenue you decide.

Blessings,
Avis

Avis, I hope I didn't offend you with my post cuz I in NO WAY meant to bash lapbands.  Mine was never placed properly or managed properly.  It was the 15th one my doc had placed and he gave me 8 fills in a short period of time so absolutely nothing solid could pass through it.  I didn't find out until it was removed (by a much more experienced doctor) that it was not placed correctly.  I honestly tried to follow the rules but since I was unable to swallow anything solid, I ended up eating junk cuz it was the ONLY food that would stay down.  Anyway, just wanted to clarify in case you thought I was being judgemental as that was not my intent.

Steph,

No I was no way being judgemental towards you, in any way.  It didn't work for you, and I understand that.  I just don't believe there is any "one" cookie cutter perfect surgery for anyone what ever that surgery may be.  There are a few of us that have done great with the band, Chris, Kris, Tracey, Nina, etc, etc.  There are a lot of folks that have rocked the RNY, yourself included, and I'm not even going to start naming folks that have, cause I don't want to leave anyone out.  I just think that it is a personal decision, how much education you get from your surgeon, your follow up care, and most importantly, how much "You" work your chosen tool, and how you follow up with the nutrition  that you need for that specfic "tool".  I just know for me, that I suck on taking vits, I just don't have the dicipline to be a good RNY'er.

hey lady,
Interesting how your phrased that - tha tyou just dont have the dicipline to be a good RNY'er. So ironic to me, coz, as i have said MANY TIMES, Lord knows i dont have what it takes to be even a decent bandster. I have never thought of it as dicipline.
Thanks!
Liz

Love my RNY, Lord willing i wont have to do it again, but would in a heartbeat. Best thing i have ever done FOR ME!
With that, i am also the first to say, research research your revision from band to RNY or band to another band. Lots of info out there, that way you can make an informed decision! The RNY isnt for everyone
Liz