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Well I'll throw my 2 cents in here too. The band didn't work for me either because of several reasons1) I was too sensitive to ever get good restriction, I was always either too tight or too loose 2) I was already eating 1000 calories or less a day 3) I have COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. So there really wasn't anything to change with my diet and I can barely walk much less exercise. I should have had a malabsorptive type surgery but my surgeon would only do the band because I have a clotting disorder and he was afraid of excessive bleeding. So I was basically doomed from the start but I still tried my best to make it work, it just wasn't to be. So be very sure of your discission or you will end up needing a revision. Good luck to you!

Hi there.  Welcome.  It is so nice to see someone investigate all their options before making a final decision.  I know I didn't and I now regret it. 

I have a large AP lapband that holds 10 ml.  It was placed 3 and a half yrs ago.  I have lost 70-75 lbs, dependent on the week.  After about 6 months my port completely flipped and I  was unable to get fills which is the mechanism that that guides the resteiction with this surgery type.  As I was self pay it was another 6-9 months before I was able to afford to have the surgery to repair the port.  At the 2nd surgery I had additional fluid added since I had gone so long without a fill and ended up much too tight-I was getting stuck on thin liquids.  I had some fluid removed, and haven't been able to find a consistent level of restriction since. 

This past January I got a small fill, and had to go back in less than a week to have half of that removed as I was throwing up daily, even just liquids, and had Reflux to the 9th degree.  I'm on a PPI twice per day and get woken up just about nightly from acid forcing its way up my esophagus despite sleeping upright on 3 pillows and eating no les than 3 hours before bed.

I'll be seeing the band Dr tomorrow and begging him to remove my entire fill and maybe just maybe removing the band in total if I don't get a relief from my symptoms.

 

Michelle,

I'm so sorry you're having issues.

One thing in your post grabbed my attention.  The "sleeping on 3 pillows".  You probably already know this, but I've heard over and over that sleeping on pillows while good, isn't enough.  You need to put bricks (or something like that) UNDER the head of your bed frame.

Please excuse me if I'm telling you something you're already trying.  Just thought I'd put it out there just in case it had been overlooked or no one had told you.

Hope you get some relief soon.

P.S.  I've also heard long time bandsters say that they make sure to drink some tea or a glass of water about an hour before bed.. thinking that maybe it will "rinse" things and help to prevent reflux.  Again, just an idea.

Thank you so much for your concern.  I kinda prop the pillows up against the headboard and fall asleep pretty much in a sitting position.  Unfortunately I've always been a stomach sleeper and mid-night I'm woken up coughing and choking on acid rushing up my throat.  Unfortunately I've found I can't even drink too close to bed time since that makes sure the reflux will occur.

I'm so disappointed because I had recently developed heartburn before my original surgery and the band cured it.  I'd give anything in the world to go back to my pre surgery heartburn I had rather than this awful reflux that wakes me up choking me every night.

Thanks again.

Thank you to everyone *****plied to my post. I appreciate it. I know that there are numerous weight loss procedures, and each one has its pros/cons. I'm just glad to of found a website where people give their opinions, can share their experiences, and give me valuable insight on each type of procedure. I am thankful that there are so many different types of procedures as I'm sure that everyone is different, and not just one procedure would work for everyone. I understand that with any surgery or procedure that there could be failure. I have heard several people state that they have had failure with certain procedures. I appreciate your honesty.

In the beginning I had considered gastric bypass. It was very popular, very effective, and one that was most talked about. I hadn't really researched all of my options. I think I was more impressed with the rapid weight loss, and didn't think through all of the pros/cons. I would love to lose the weight & get it all off but I also want to be sure that I choose the option that is best for me. I think there are a few that I have crossed out as options as they are not popular, not effective, or ones that just aren't for me. The thought of having anything removed sort of scares me, so I'm not sure that a procedure like that would be for me. (I may eventually change my mind.....) 

I do know that I would like to have a procedure that is reversible if need be. I am anemic so the thought of more malnutrition sort of worries me. I would like to have a somewhat quick healing process, minimal time in the hospital because I have a small child, and one that would not interfere with future pregnancies.