Have you had for over 5+ years? Replacement??
I had Lapband surgery in 2004, so I've had my band for 7+ years now. Is there anyone else out there with the "old style" band or who's been banded for 5+ years? I'm started to have complications such as reflux, very sensitive to fills, not finding the sweetspot, one month I can tolerate 1.66cc and the next go around I can't even tolerate 1.00cc. I met with the physician yesterday and he suggested a replacement, there is definately a difference between the bands today and the one I have. Has anyone else had the same problem, any suggestions? I went into surgery at 260 and normally maintain at 170, but with the complications I'm back up to 200. I'm good with the band, wouldn't want anything else, just more concerned about old vs. new, replacements complications, etc. etc. Thanks for your support and I hope everyone else is doing well!!
on 10/22/11 2:53 am, edited 10/22/11 2:57 am
I had my band placed in Sept, 2005, I still have my original 4cc 10ml band, and I've gone through that as well, if I got to the sweet spot, I would get reflux and regurgitation at night, which would cause band slippage, if saline was not removed in time, and when I got a slight unfill, I could eat too much, never finding a happy medium for 2 straight years. I decided enough was enough and changed surgeons WHO SPECIALIZES IN LAP BANDS ONLY, my previous surgeon was pro RNY, they don't seem to be interested in finding the sweet spot if you ask me, I sometimes wonder if they are "revision happy" these days in this bad economy and my new surgeon gave me dynamic fills where you stand slightly and they can gage your sweet spot more effectively.
I was thinking about giving up on my band too about 3 years ago, I think a lot of people just don't have the resources to change surgeons. Also I noticed the longer between fills the better the fill will be. Also I avoid any thing with carbonation like the plague, it actually stretches my pouch, I have not had a fill now in about 2 years and I have great restriction with no side effects of reflux.
I am happy I never did reach a revision point since I don't think any other weight loss surgery is safer than the band long term, I care about my health in old age so I don't want to do anything else more invasive than the lap band at this point, especially when I have friends that had RNY 7 years ago seeking a band because they no longer have restriction.
FluffyPuff · 2 replies · 991 views
Member Services · 0 replies · 835 views
