How many of us have had to/need to be revised from the "Band"?

Phyllis- thank you. I am feeling much better. Getting it out was very easy. It's only been three days and I feel great! I love not burping constantly!
I am ready for the sleeve. My insurance is pending. They want to see if I still want the surgery after this. Duh! Yes, of course. I know I am a lightweight (190) but i have never been a normal weight. 140 here I come!

Who in the world wants to go through so many surgeries - right!  When I was in the O.R. on the table, the team had me laughing like crazy - I was scared stupid too (the idiot nurse blabbed her mouth about the surgery possibly having to be open.  Somewhere stored way deep in the back of my mind I knew this but did she need to say it right before I got my fat ass on the table - Thank God it was Lap) !  Freezing I said out loud I can't believe I am here again . . . I Iove to have surgeries  - NOT!!!  We all just laughed again, but really who would have thought.  The Lap Band truly is for people who do not mind having multiple surgeries even when they are fairly healthy.  Wish they would have told us that before we signed on.

Here's the thing, I think we have a better outcome when we allow our bodies some time to heal after band removal.  I certainly believe it has made all the difference for me.

I am glad you got your band out and are moving forward.  Just try and get as healthy as possible.  Load up on your vitamins and such.  I used to have a grilled chicken salad basically every day.  Please eat your salads, vegetables, and fruits NOW!  Once you get sleeved, that option will be gone for a bit .  It is all gravy though!

Best,
Leila

Thanks Leila! It sounds like you are healing well and happy with your choice so far ( I have been following your story).
Yes, drs. Should make ppl aware of the many problems are encountered with the band, such as permanent damge! The way they try to sell it makes ppl feel like it is their best option. Surgeons know the low weightloss statistics but still pu**** It is a fast surgery for them and quick money! (my 1st surgeon puts them in in 20 min and probably makes 10,000.) Just imagine their thinking...hmm..this is a money maker. I can make $ filling, unfilling, "fixing them surgery", and removing them surgery.
Unfortunately I was a sucker for the BS and learned the hard way.
Sleeve here I come!

Hello!  I am glad you were able to be sleeved.

I was banded four and a half years ago and it is a failure.
now it has to be removed because of trouble with my esophagus.

my question is were you able to get insurance approval for the sleeve?  ALSO why not have it done at the time of the removal?  I worry about going through two more procedures.  But the surgeon already told me i may not be approved for another weight loss surgery anyway, but the insurance should approve the removal.

thanks

Hi, so sorry you are having trouble with your band.

What is your exact diagnosis?  When you say "trouble with your esophagus" do you have a dilation?  Is it not functioning?  If your doc did the proper testing, he wrote down some sort of diagnosis ESPECIALLY if he is recommending band removal.

If you have documented trouble with the band, if it is a danger to you and it needs to be removed -NO MATTER if you do not have a 35 BMI with co-morbidities or a 40+BMI  YOU QUALIFY for a revision if your insurance covers bariatric surgery.  Now if you have the "1 bariatric surgery per lifetime" then you can't dispute.  BUT they must approve band removal if they cover bariatrics.

Your surgeon should be fighting for you and if he/she is not, then you should go elsewhere.

Yes you can have a revision at the same time of your band removal - as long as your stomach is in the right condition.  Originally I was going to revise at the same time of Lap Band removal to a plication.  Glad I did not.  I was sleeved 6 mos after my band was removed and I am happy I waited because it gave my delicate esophageal and stomach tissue some time to relax and heal.

Good Luck with everything!

Best,
Leila

thank you.  my esophagus has stretched.  the surgeon is writing a (aS SHE puts it "scary letter") to the insurance to get another bariatric surgery approved, but the band removal will be covered as it is essential that it comes out.  i feel so sick all the time.
she said it might be best anyway to let things heal before another surgery. 

thanks for your reply Leila.

I had my band in 2007
had about 3 additional surgeries to fix my port:(infections etc) had a really rough until band eroded in june 2010. after 20K spent. if you ask me now I wouldnt get another band even if it was free...

finally had sleeve on Oct 2010 , I feel like a normal people ,eating what a want ,when I want ,just in a smaller amount..
Patty

I had my band removed last June because I had band induced achalasia.  I basically could not eat, lost 26 lb in the last 3 months with my band.  I've been told that I must not have complied with band rules.  Wrong.  I was absolutely compliant.  

In less than 9 months I progressed to 0% motility in my esophagus.  Due to band damage, I cannot revise.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18663546