Five years Post Surgery Looking for Answers

Ok, here goes.  Five years ago I had LapBand Surgery.  I had an 11cc band installed and hit my sweet spot on the 2nd fill with about 9cc.  Within a year I reached my goal to lose 85 pounds and was at goal for about 3 years.  About  2 years of so ago I had a bout with stomach flu and was throwing up.  I ended up having to have fluid removed down to around 3cc.  Around the same time I had to have a procedure done which left me unable to exercise for almost a year.   I went back to have a fill about 1.5 years ago to 5.5cc.  I had been experiencing very bad acid reflux as in waking up with my mouth full of stomach acid and throwing up almost everyday and had gained almost half my weight back.   Two months ago they emptied my band and I have been empty for 2 months. The reflux and throwing up stopped.    Today I went in to have my 1st refill.  The doctor could only put in 3cc with the aid of a scope.  He said that 5cc completely closed me up.  Ok, here is the question.

Any idea why I could have had 9cc 4 years ago and it be my sweet spot and today 5 completely closes me up.  The Doc look befuddled when I asked him.  Anyone experience the same thing?

Number of reasons.

I'll go for the one that interests me because it was my issue.

My body was trying to reject the band as a foreign object and couldn't.  So it was completely covering it in scar tissue, including the little doughnut shape where it created a pouch.

I had, at one point, a fully functional band with 6.5cc in a 14.0cc band.  Prior to being emptied in October 2011, I had less than 2.0cc and couldn't tolerate that.  I was finally revised to a sleeve a year after I began the process, with the band removal being covered by insurance and the sleeve being self-pay.

You could also have a slipped band, a hernia or just a bad reflux issue.  Those are the most common.

I hope you are able to satisfactorily resolve this.

The longer your band is in, the more scar tissue builds up under it therefore causing tightness. This is why so many people end up losing their bands after 3 or 4 years. It is very common and what causes the most issues after around 3 years out. I know how it is because I had to have mine emptied last year, at 3 years. I was just barely starting to have tightness issues and knew what would be coming so rather than cause anymore damage I had it emptied and will keep it that way. I feel sooo much better with it empty as I can finally eat healthy food again. I hope this will clear up for you but also start preparing your mind that you may need it removed if it continues to cause acid as that can harm your whole esphogus and teeth if it goes on too long. There are thousands of us that have been down this road.

Great, thinks for the info.  I guess I should feel lucky I had full use of it for so long.

This doesn't mean that you'll have to have your band removed immediately. But, keep in mind that it's something to be concerned about because the more scar tissue that builds up, the harder removal can be.  But if your band is still allowing you to eat without pain or difficulty (with less saline in it,) I would think you'd be okay.


I developed some pretty serious adhesions while banded from multiple surgeries. Thankfully I had a very skilled surgeon to remove my band.

Wishing you the best.

Daniel, I had similar issues with reflux and vomiting. Unfills helped me for awhile, as did PPIs, but eventually, those stopped working, even after I had my band completely unfilled. Two weeks ago, my band was removed in an emergency surgery. Like Carmel Blonde, my body was rejecting the band. I ended up with a prolapsed band. I had my band for a little over 3.5 years. Please be very careful and document everything you are experiencing, so you can discuss with your doctor the best treatment options.

Judy

I think all your other issues were covered as Judy and I have a very simular history. What I have to add is; Due to the difference between the lap band and the realize band is that ALL the fluid can be pulled from a lap band but not a realize band.  If they take fluid out and think they are taken it all out and than add back you are really getting more.  But, based on mine and the others that already posted, it is most likely the scare tissue building up and closing down you band.

 On October 17, 2012 at 10:44 PM Pacific Time, pineview01 wrote:
I think all your other issues were cover as Judy and I have a very simular history. What I have to add is; Due to the difference between the lap band and the realize band is that ALL the fluid can be pulled from a lap band but not a realize band.  If they take fluid out and think they are taken it all out and than add back you are really getting more.  But, based on mine and the others that already posted, it is most likely the scare tissue building up and closing down you band.

Explain, please...thanks, just need to know.

There are differences between the two.  It has to do with vacume or suction or such.  I found the original info online and verified with out center's PA.  They confirmed that not ALL the liquid can be 100% pulled out at each fill of the realize band.  With the lap band 100%~ can be pulled and measured.  You have a realize band were you told different Steph?  If so I need to go back again and ask.  I wouldn't want to spread outdated info.

I can't find the site right now will keep looking.  I did find this though
The lap band is low pressure and the Realize is High-volume/low-pressure.  I was also told the Realize has one smooth surface instead of pillow's in the lap and they think this will work better. 

Gastric Band

LAP BAND AP 360° fill capacity Soft and molded (pre-curved) 7 baffles (mini reservoirs) Low pressure

REALIZE Band 360° fill capacity One smooth inner balloon High-volume/Low-pressure

 So even though I had a "complete unfill" there's still fluid in there?  Yes, I was told all the fluid was out.