Trouble with lap band

I have had the lap band for 2 years and i have had some problems ever since.   My IBS started with the surgery.   I have had my gallbladder out a year out.   I have been in the ER numerous times with abdominal pain what turns out to be IBS.  This past time I was almost certain it was the band since it was just to the left of the band (rather more toward the center of my body).  I think I am frustrated with it since I keep eating sweets.  I admit I am a chocaholic.   I have had some mental issues,   I am not sure whether to see if my doc can just switch the LB to Realize or to swithch to RNY.

Hi there, first thing to do is see your doc. If you don't like that doc, start with a new one. I too had trouble with my band. Mental Healthy wise I wasnt ready to have this sugery. I knew this when my surgeron started bullying me when I didn't lose weight on his time table. This resulted in two things. I avoided him. Made and cancelled appointments for 1 year. Didn't use the band as the tool it is. Lost some weight but not enough. Now my band has turned from all the vommiting and I have GERD. My unsurance compnay denied the RNY because they said I was non-compliant with the first doctor. They made this decision by looking at my total weight loss, nothing else.

So, I share this story to let you  know what may lay ahead for you. I've spent the last two years in therapy to address the mental health issues that kept me from going back. That resulted in a transfer addiction to red wine and that took me so long to see the care of another doctor.

I wish you the best of luck. Sounds like you'e had a horrible time. Take the first step and get to a doctor who will treat you right all around. Good luck.

How are you doing?are you working with the band now? It is very easy to create a transfer addiction. I have learned that an addict is an addict and I am.Addicted to food and nicotine.

 I am not working with the band. It has turned and needs to come out. Currently working with doc to get an approval for RNY from my insurance company. 

I hope you get that approval. I am sorry that you are going through this situation. I wish you the best.

I had the band two years ago in Dec. and am scheduled to have the gastric bypass on 12/7/09.  I'm contacting you because in the last two weeks I've started having a lot of pain where I feel the band is located.  I am not nauseated but eating does make it worse.  I'm wondering if my band has turned as you say.  Can you tell me what symptoms you had and how you know this has occurred?

I'm unsure if I should contact my Dr. or just wait until he gets in there on the 7th???

I appreciate any information you can provide.

Samantha

Think duodenal switch.

I have met with my surgeon and first step is to take out the band and wait.   See if my problems improve.  If we figure it is not the band than I can always get rebanded.  However, the bypass is not doable since the old stomach cannot be scoped.   The only surgery she said is doable is the sleeve.   Right now I am working on getting the removal done hopefully before the holidays.

 Why aren't you eligible for by pass? I'm having the band out and hopefully bypass if I can get the surgery approved.

I have Intestinal metaplasia which is the transformation (metaplasia) of epithelium (cells that line hollow organs and glands and those that make up the outer surface of the body), usually of the stomach, to a type that bears some resemblance to the intestine. It is considered to be a risk factor for the development of adenocarcinoma