Hello All,

 

I'm five years out from VSG and lap band surgery. I maintained my weight loss for over three years, then slowly my weight started creeping up. I hadn't had any fills during that five years, so I went for a fill and discovered that my band was leaking.  So fast forward six months of fighting with insurance companies, and finding out I had a heart condition (how ironic after losing 80 pounds) I am having surgery in a week to get a new lap band, and have my stomach restitiched.  I have to pay 2500 for that privilege.  Since it wasn't my fault my stomach stretched due to lack of restriction from the lap band, I kinda feel like I shouldn't have to pay but it's a small price to regain control and get back on the path to my goal.  I'm frustrated and scared, but glad to be getting on with this finally after struggling to lose weight again for a year total.

I'm just a little confused as to why you have a lap band if you had VSG. I've never heard of that before...

they used to do a different surgery years ago, the vgb , not the vsg , that cut the stomach different and then they banded it , but it wasn't usually adjustable, 

 many people get it redone to a proper vsg, or rny , or even a ds , but never heard of it redone with a new band

 very few surgeons still do that surgery , it did not work well and there where many problems with it

I'm just as confused.. In what your describing the BAND isn't what caused your restriction the Sleeve did. Because if you were banded and then not filled. It's sad to think that you did Both and could have lost 80 alone with just one of those procedures

I'm hoping that you've researched the stats on a 2nd band?  their not good  The band doesn't cause restriction of your stomach, it's about learning to eat less, and  hopefully when you get to an adequate fill that is something you will finally experience.

If it's YOUR FAULT that your stomach stretched? how is that possible? the sleeve is also a restrictive WLS and that part is removed. So if your Doctor is blaming you ? Personally I'd get a new Doctor. Because when you start to experience band complications he will also blame you for not losing. 

I Do Wish you Good luck!! ..but I think your being lead down a primrose path 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17593435

High secondary failure rate of rebanding after failed gastric banding.

 

 

Complications associated with adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity: a surgeon’s guide

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/

lap band complications per allergan

http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/lapband_dfu.pdf

I figured out more about your surgery and surgeon and wrote a new reply below.  I hope you don't mind. Good luck

I only wish you Well Dawn..

The Lap Band is nuts and even more so on a sleeved stomach.  Your surgeon is known for putting these contraptions on sleeved stomachs w. duodenal switches.  I did not know that he did them on just VSG.  I think its nuts but I made that clear.  AGB tears apart regular stomachs, I can't imagine the damage it can do with on a sleeved stomach and then what stomach tissue is left for repairs - if needed?  Such extremely high pressure on the esophogas!!!  I can't imagine this and I don't want to even think it.  It is stupid and especially with a heart condition.  Why don't you just get a full DS instead of strangling the little stomach you have left.  My apologies, I went through so much trouble physically, emotionally, psychologically because of my band.  It was a big mind fruck! and I can't believe surgeons do not know better now.   Again, I am sorry.  Just feeling a little too passionate about this subject matter and I am truly sad you are going through this.  I am going to ask my doc about this procedure and see what he things.  I don't get why your doc keeps doing this.  All Best, Layla

Wow! I came here for support and I feel scolded, chided and and judged. My band and sleep together work to find for five years until the band leaked. The band was found to be defective though and I did fine with the band and sleep previously I figured I just have the band replaced. The doctor offered to duodenal switch I did not want to go that invasive after having had an already and invasive procedure. My band did have a slight hill because they do that upon having surgery. So if it's leaking did allow for the sleep to stretch a bit. The sleeve is being re-stitched smaller. That's what the $2500 is about, if I didn't make that clear. I didn't see the need to consider a different combination surgery as I had done just fine for five years with the combination that I had. The sleeve still does offer some restriction by itself. As in the last year since the band leakedI've only gained 22 pounds. Everyone at my dic's office I met with similar issues gained way more. This is a very sensitive subject and nerve-racking to be undergoing another surgery. All of the gloom and doom messages don't help.

Dawn,  I just want to wish you well with the surgery.  Good luck, and heal fast!