Did the BAND really FAIL????

I don't know that I can say my band "failed" but I have recently experienced complications. I was banded on 2/23/2012. I was way freaked out by the thought of having the surgery just because I had never had any type of surgery before. All went well. I recovered well and got to restriction in the first month. Then as I lost weight each month, I had a fill to keep the restriction. I hit the 6 month mark and had lost 60 lbs. Then I stalled out. I didn't blame my band because my doctor changed my thyroid meds. Any who. Over the next 6 months I only lost 5 more pounds. I still felt great and loved my band. I still do.

Last month I got up and went jogging, came home and took a nap and when I woke, I could feel something was a little different. I could eat fine but drinking water seemed to get stuck a little. I also got where I was not as satisfied with my one cup portion. Right before I had my band installed, I went out and got a bunch of one cup size bowls and that has been my portion size period. My family knows those are my bowls and no one bothers them because it's too small for them anyways. I even got baby spoons and forks so that I would not take big bites. It worked. I hardly ever got stuck unless my sinuses were bothering me. I have worked out faithfully. I have a room in my house with a treadmill, eliptical, mini trampoline, and recumbant bike (excellent to work lower tummy muscles). I also recently joined my local gym because they have an indoor heated resistance pool (it is awesome).

When I started not to be as satsfied with my cup of food, I thought it might be time to go get a fill. I hadn't had one in 6 months. When I got to the appointment, I explained to the PA that I thought I needed a fill because of being hungry more often but I was having a little problem getting water down. They had me do a barium swallow and it showed all was fine. I was relieved. We talked a little bit more about my issue with the water and they decided to make me eat some nasty oatmeal and do another barium swallow. That time it showed that my esophgus was dilated. They took 1 cc out of my band. I had 5.5 cc's in the 10cc band. They told me to come back in a month. During that time, I kind of freaked out because the PA didn't give me a lot of information about what was going on when I asked about how it all worked. I contacted my surgeon's office and they set me up an appointment to go and talk with him. When I did, he told me he was disappointed that I had only lost 65 lbs. I am 5'1" and my beginning weight was 265. We talked about doing a revision to a sleeve and then he sent me for an upper GI EGD. That showed that my esophagus was no longer dilated but my band had slipped up. I have a revision surgery scheduled for May 30.

I'm kind of upset because I have loved my band and I am scared and freaked out again about having to have another surgery. I'm also kind of excited about it because it is sooooooo time for me to get this weight off. I wish everyone good luck with your band. I have been so fortunate that even with it slipped, I have not been stuck, thrown up (ever) and only had a sore throat. I am also 41 years old and learned a long time ago to listen to my body. Fortunately I have also had a great surgeon who listens to me and is willing to check things out if I don't feel right. Some people may never have issues with their bands. It is very frustrating when you do, and scary. Please take care, listen to your body and send prayers my way that a revision gets me closer to my goals. I'm not giving up no matter what.

 
Good luck with your revision!

I am praying for you, and wish you nothing but the best success.

Did you get your band in 2012 or 2011?

It was 2011

She got her band in 2011. As you can see, sometimes bands are EXTREMELY short lived! :-(

Seems that way!  But the reason I was asking was because she stated she was banded on 02/23/12, so I  just wanted to clarify.  

Trish...Sorry to hear that you've had issues with your band some people are more prone than others to have esophagus issues...is your surgeon part of the Centers of Excellence? Also did you have pre op testing to test if your esophagus was strong enough to push food through? This is done BEFORE getting the band to ensure you are a good candidate it's not full proof but it helps....typically esophageal dilation happens when the lap band is TOO TIGHT and instead of the food being pushed down your esophagus into your pouch-- it stays in the esophagus and dilates it.