Getting a lapband "re-installed"

Hi, I am new to these forums, and I hope I can get some helpful, friendly advice, and also provide some. Some history for you :- I am currently 21. First had lapband installed when I was 15 (2000) by Dr. G. Fielding. I was ~160kgs and 195cm tall. About 2 weeks before my 20th birthday (June '05) (5 years later) I started to get some abdominal pain, and major pain even when trying to sip water. I was ~110kgs. The water/fluid just wouldn't go down (like if the band was way too full) I presented to the emergency ward at the Redcliffe hospital, where I was basically told to take some panadol and go to bed. I tried hard to explain to the doctor about the lapband and that I knew what the pain was etc and why it was happening, the doctor didn't speak english very well and turned me away. At this point I had an idea what had happened (the lapband slipped). The pain got worse and three days later I fronted up to the emergency department, again tried to explain to a doctor what was wrong. I got tired of saying the same thing over again and I asked to speak to a doctor that had experience with lapband surgery. Eventually I got someone who understood what I was on about and I was immediatly admitted and transferred to the Royal Brisbane. I was severely dehydrated. Some tests were done and 2 weeks later the lapband had to come out. I asked for the surgeon not to take the lapband out unless absolutely necessary. Anyway, long story short, the lapband had to be taken out due to the distance it had slipped and the damage it had done. When I left hospital on my 20th birthday (9th July '05) I weighed 90kg. 12 months later, I unfortunately re-gained all of the weight I had lost, due to depression and other factors, as well as taking for granted the level of control the lapband gave me. I am now 170kgs, and having lots of severe health problems such as back pain, heel spurs, diabetes and coeliacs disease. I had lost 1 job because of the weight gain. I would really like to know what, if any, chance I would have of being able to have the lapband done again? I beleive that this is the only solution to my eating disorder, since it worked so fantastically before. I also beleive that the design of the lapband has changed since mine was first inserted (changed from being hard plastic to flexible silicon type material) is this true? thanks for your time and sorry for the long post. Ashley.

I just wanted to say I am so sorry that you are going through all of this! The battle of obesity is so difficult! I have a lap band. I am from the States. I had my placed in 2004 and it is the silicone band. I'm not sure the answers to your questions, but I hope you can get some help for the problems! Keep posting and let us know how you are doing! I also take some mild antidepressants for depression. It really helps. I'm not sure if that is an option for you. Sending positive thoughts your way! Janet

I've had many anti-depressants and so far none of them agree with me... Bad side effects etc... I've had my new job for 3 months now and one of our workshops has closed down and it looks like I'm going to lose this job now... Thank you very much for your friendly reply. Ashley

Hi Ashley, Wow what a hard time you've had. I live in a regional area and had to go to the ER once... yup you spend a lot of time educating 'overseas' dr's dont you. I now keep a little info pack so if I ever have to go again I will take it with me, along with my surgeon's phone number. I am going to post your post on the main lapband board and hopefully the more experienced will be able to help. Sharyn

Hi Ashley, Sorry you have been through so much. Here in the states a slip is treated by unfilling the band and letting the stomach resolve itself....if does not then surgical intervention is needed. After removal your stomach should have returned to normal (hence the weight gain) - I know that people do have their bands replaced after errosion so I do not see why you would not be a candidate for the surgery again. The important thing is to find a great surgeon who will be available for your after care years down the road. There have been changes in the buckle system as well as the installation method of the band that are now reducing some of the complications like errosion and slipage and I would recomend that you look into it with a qualified lap band doctor. Come visit on the lap band forum any time. Good luck, Lynn

Hi Ashey, sorry to hear about your problems. Your original surgeon, Dr Fielding, is one of the pioneers of lapband, isn't he? My own surgeon here in the UK trained with him. My understanding is that once your insides are all returned to normal, there is no reason why you cannot have another band put in. We have several regular posters on the Lapband board who have had bands removed and have either already had them replaced or or hoping to in the near future. There have been major changes with both the materials used and the method of implanting which mean that the modern band is much less likely to lead to complications than the old ones. Get the best advice you can - if your local medical practioners are not up to date on banding, make the journey to someone who is. Good luck. I know that I would regain all my lost weight if I had to manage without my band! Kate

Just wanted to thank you all for the helpful replies. It's good to know that there are friendly thoughtful people out there like you... Dr. George Fielding is one of the "pioneers" of the lapband surgery, as many of you may know he also has one himself. I am very interested in having the surgery again, however there are a few limiting factors, 1) time off work 2) cost 3) waiting period

Ashley, you might find it useful (as I do) to go on the main lapband baord rather than the Australia one. Virtually everyone on there is from the US although the number of Brits, Ozzies and Canadians is creeping up. So our experiences of the medical systems may be different but we all have the same surgical procedure and once I got used to thinking in pounds for my weight I have found the site invaluable. The advantage of the main lapband site over the country one is simply the number of posts; lots! Whereas on other sites there may only be one a day or even less. Kate

I get errors in internet explorer when I try to post a new topic! It won't let me type in the text box!

Ashely that happened to me too. I couldn't post on the main boards using Internet Explorer. I have to use mozilla firefox browser for this site to not have any problems. You can find it here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ it's just an alternative browser to Internet Explorer. You can have both on your computer and just jump between the two. Sharyn.