Failed Band, but desperately needing something new

November of 2006 I had my band put in and for a year or so it functioned fine.  The band was suppose to be put in laproscopicly, but a full incision had to be made.  I spent nearly a week in the hospital and had problems before and after fills several times.  I seemed to notice that my fills would be either way too tight (water would get stuck) or way too loose (wide open)  With this it caused my weight to fluctuate all the time.  and though I dropped probably 150-200 pounds i was still about 300-350 lbs.  about a year after my band was installed I had to go to the hospital as i had developed a severe ulcer due to too much restriction, (with this I vomited daily and even began to vomit quite a bit of blood (black vomit)  When I complained to my doctor the band was just opened up all the way.  This made it so i had very little restriction and found that I could soon eat and gain most of my weight back, the next fill I had got too small and my stomach swelled causing a whole bunch of problems (slip age, my band with my swollen stomach closed off completely not allowing food or water too pass, I had a large hernia and some how my stomach had fused with my liver)  February of 2009 I had to have my band removed and from then on I have shot back up in weight faster then it took to put it on.  I am 24 years old and 560 pounds.  I am finding it more and more difficult to walk, drive my car and I worry more and more about a day where my heart or body will just give out.  I desperately need to shed the weight, but I don't know if I can do so without another weight loss tool.  I was told when my band was removed that the odds of having another surgery were iffy  because of all the scar tissue and damage done around my stomach.  I wondering if any one on here has encountered any of these problems or has also gone through something similar.  I'm considering DS or RNY if anyone has any comments or can recommend either surgery i would love to have feed back.  I am drowning in my sea of fat and I can't wait to become an actual part of the world again.

If I've learned anything, it's that nothing will happen unless I'm willing to change. There aren't any quick fixes (unfortunatley) You have to start somewhere though. I would suggest getting online to a site where you can log in everything you put in your mouth. I find that has helped me see what the heck I'm doing! Try to stay away from high fat, high carb , high calorie foods. eat 5 or six very small meals ( no greater than 200 cal each) start doing your best to increase your water intake. Eventually get it to 64 oz. If you have a hard time walking see if you can just move your arms , maybe get weights after a while. you can maybe do some modified lifting of your legs while you sit. Don't give in or give up....you are worth so much more than giving up!I will keep you in my prayers

I had a failded lapband, so I really feel for you.  THERE IS HOPE!  I had a revision to the sleeve.  I have restriction now and I am losing.  You need to talk with your doctor about which surgery would be best for you.  Just know that the band fails many people.  If you get the right surgery, it can really change your life.  Being that you are only 24, I really feel you should persue a second try at WLS.  Life is too short!  You need to get better so you can enjoy life.  HUGS!!!!

Thanks, For the support, I am actually in the persuit of meeting with doctors to find out about a new surgery, i moved a decent distance from my original doctor, so I am going to try to start fresh.  I am in the process of looking around and seeing what else is out there.  Im leaning towards a DS surgery, however it is still a couple hours to drive, but on the plus his website says he accepts medicaid which I recently was accepted on, so with that known if this works out I would hopefully be able to get in and started fairly quickly.  Im looking forward to the future anyways.

I would also suggest the sleeve if you have a lot of scaring because there is less cutting and no rerouting with the sleeve. People have a lot of success with it and I am having mine done in a week. Dont give up PLEASE you are to young, keep searching and find something right for you that will work, You can do it and you can get through this and have a good life!!

You were doomed ferom the start! A lapband for someone who needs to lose the amount of weight you do is criminal! Glad you are looking at the DS, it is a very effective surgery and about the only one that will work for someone your size. I wish you the very best and hope you end up at least half the person you are now.

Yeah I say that the band is only for those people who have less than 100 to lose, but even at that in 15 months with the band I only lost 55lbs. I converted to the sleeve. If medicaid will cover it go for it.  You will love it. No food getting stuck (is the best part). So good luck on your journey. Mine has been 1 yr 1/2, but since the last 6 months with the sleeve I have lost 60lbs and you could lose more if you cut the carbs more, but I jus choose to eat like I could for the rest of my life not just to get the weight off. So I am slower than the norm, but I don't care.

My starting weight was 618, I lost a good deal on the pre-surgery diet.(I was on it 8 months) I am now have around 325 lbs. lost. I am not special...the D/S is the greatest surgery available for the extreme BMI person. Mine was 79.
Just study your options and choose the BEST surgeon you can find. Driving a few extra miles should not make a difference in choosing your future.
I wish you all best in making your choice. For me....D/S hands down !!!