Here goes everything. 5 years out.

Hello, everyone. 
I was banded in October 2007.  I have lurked around here(this site) off and on for years (prior to and since my surgery). I started at 300 lbs.  I had some initial success with the band even though I think that I only had a "good fill"  once.    That is, a fil that allowed me to eat less of quality food.  I usually just ate less of poor quality food or slider foods or just avoided eating  because it (pb'ing) was so exhausting.  So, I lost 60 lbs.in the first 3 years and went from a tight size 24 to a comfy size 16.  

Then, last year I had a series of unsuccessful fills and stressful events in my life (job change after 10 years, family illness, quit smoking after 27 years).  As wonderful as quitting is, it is a stressful event.  I gained it all back.  Today, I am 310 lbs. My last fill was March 2012.  My surgeon says it's "not your fault" and feels like I have tried to "work the band long enough". He has recommended a conversion to RNY or VSG.  I am considering it because I am uncomfortable, miserable, ashamed....but I do not want to go back under the knife. He has agreed to support whatever decision that I make and will continue to fill my band. 

I get another fill tomorrow.  My plan is to ask for a small fill because I believe my band is sensitive and does not require a lot of adjusting.  What has happened 8 out of 10 times is that I get a fill that looks perfect to my doctor under flouroscopy,  Then the next morning I can't swallow my own spit and spend days with reflux and sleeping inclined to avoid trouble in the night. I, then, go in for an unfill and my stomach feels like a bottomless pit.  I have not found the happy medium/sweet spot. 

I've read others post that their band is very sensitive to very small fills that make a big difference . So, tomorrow I will ask for a small fill and pray that it helps me. I also read somewhere that being very hydrated prior to a fill is important so I'm drinking a lot of water.  In the past I would eat a big meal before my fill.  My fill tomorrow is at 4pm and I will only eat breakfast.    I do not want another surgery.  I want my band to work as it has for so many people here. 

There are things that I need to do, too. Exercise, use support tools, and make better food choices.  Of course, if that was easy for me then I would not have needed surgery.  I'm giving myself another year with the band before I consider moving on to one of the other surgical options.  I'll be posting here and open to your feedback.  Thanks.

Moonchild1968

 

I had a very similar experience with my band. I was either way too tight or a bottomless pit despite numerous adjustments under fluoroscopy.

My surgeon began to talk revision and I held out, wanting my band to work so badly. I exercised regularly with a personal trainer as well as regular swimming, but without the diet portion under control, it made only minor differences in my weight range.

Finally I agreed to the revision and it was a sad day because I had put so much work into my band.

Then I got my sleeve and the world changed. I was full on a small amount of food and lost much ,if not all of, of my hunger. I could eat in the morning or in the summer or in a plane or anywhere without problems. I have not vomited once since my sleeve. It was working like I had wanted my band to work

I was finally able to stick to a low carb diet because I could actually eat protein again. I lost all of my excess weight and more. It's been wonderful and I'm only sad I wasted so much time on my band.

I want you to know there is life after the band and in my case, a much easier one! Best of luck to you!

Lindsey

Lindsey, thank you, for taking the time to respond and share your story with me.  It is very helpful information. 

It's just that we put so much into the decision to have bariatric surgery, never-ever thinking that it won't work for us.  I promised myself that I wouldn't be "one of those people". It's hard to accept, but it helps to know that others have been where I stand and found there way out. 

Shante'

I got my band the same month and year you did. I am now empty for over a year and have lost a little more weight but not alot. If I were you and have the opportunity to revise to an effective surgery I'd jump on it in a minute. Insurance companies are cuttting bariatric surgery left and right and you never know when yours will change. We have since learned that if you have over a 100 lbs to lose that the band is basically a joke, it isn't effective for that much weight. I too weighed over 300 and should never have had a band but the thinking back then was that the band was almost as effective as RNY but that has long since been disproved. You can try another year but I'd bet good money you will still be in the same spot a year from now so why wait to live a healthy active life when you can start now. Many of us never felt a good restriction with our bands so you are just part of the group. I lost my chance for revision because my insurance was changed and now at best I have to wait another 4 yrs to qualify for Soc. Sec before I can try with medicare,  hopefully I don't end up with horrible damage from it being in so long, like some others have. So don't waste your opportunity when you have such a supportive doc who is willing to help you now rather than later. If you haven't had success with the band by now chances are slim you will in the next year, for many of us it just wasn't the right choice.

Hey, Paul.

That's right. ALL of the information back then said that the lapband was at least as good as RNY, with only a fraction of the risk. I read everything I could find on the band back then and I was hard-pressed to find failure in it.....

My sister read my post today (and the responses) and asked me NOT to wait another year before considering a conversion. Coming from a persn that was VERY reluctant to support me with the band 5 years ago, it was a very surprising eye-opener.  She pleaded with me to let this fill (tomorrow) be my last one before seriously considering another surgical option. 

((sigh))  I will.

Thanks.

I don't know how old you are --- but I would have to second what your sister is telling you.

Unless you really believe that the next year will be different (magically??) then why wait?

I will say that with any WLS, your comment about committing to exercise and better food choices are going to be key factors in any success.

VSG may make it easier to lose initially, but over time you can eat all day long (a little bit at a time, but all day long) --- and you are always going to be able to over-consume liquid and soft calories ---- so make sure that you have your head and eating habits in the game ---- but don't wait a year if you don't have to.

 It doesn't sound like the band has worked for you. Using myself as an example, I'm 7.5 years out. I lost 50 plus lbs, about half the weight and basically maintained within a 10 lb up and down for over 6 years. I only had one fill that was too tight and haven't had a fill in over 5 years. I eat a lot less than pre band, have difficulty with fruit, must eat slow and chew well, but have to use my head to avoid slider foods and limit carbs. I am thrilled and dissapointed at the same time. I don't see that the band has worked for you. You might be thrilled with the sleeve.   

Your surgeon is very ethical. I believe he is no longer placing bands. Listen to him............REVISE!

I think he's still doing it. I  went to a seminar of his earlier this summer to learn more about revision/conversion surgery. Most people at the seminar were researching for initial bariatric surgery.  The band was promoted as WLS option, but as the option with the "lowest risk and lowest success rate".  I didn't hear it like that 5 years ago.

I stand corrected. There was one of his patients at the Atl. Meet & Greet last year that was one of his patients and had gone to the "informational seminar" with one of her friends, and she was saying that Dr. Steinburg didn't even mention the band and she was very surprised.