Lap Band failure! considering sleeve FRUSTRATED!

So, 2 years ago this month I had a lap band placed..all was great the first 6-8 months..I lost 36 lbs in total, then it all went to heck in a hand basket! We are military and we have moved twice since the band was placed. 1st off, let me start by saying I've never been filled past 4.5cc's... The 1st 3 months of our move last years, every type of dense protein I would eat, would then take 2-3 hrs to vomit up...it took 3 months for insurance to find a Dr for me to see. I had horrible chest pains after vomiting and was very discouraged. An ER visit removed 2 cc's so I could at least eat fish and mushy beans. New Dr left it alone for another 2 months then added back in 1.5cc's. We moved again...same thing happened! and yet another ER visit. I've gained back 25 of the 36 lbs I've lost and am near tears every time I think about it. If my insurance agrees, I am considering a Gastric sleeve..but I have to 'prove' the band failed and see a nutritionist again for 6 months (which I have been seeing for 9 months now) I would like to know if anyone has had a revision, is it working for you and general feelings. Thank you for letting me vent and to answer questions... I have eliminated 90% of all carbs from my diet, minimal to no refined sugar when possible, exercise 3 times a week.. the military says 'obviously you need to work out more' yeah? ok

I have been banded for almost 10 years. Ow and I am finally throwing in the towel. I wi**** would have worked in my case but after several valiant attempts of fill, unfilled and one baby later, it is truly time to remove it. I am considering sleeve, or nothing and going at it on my own. Either way, I never expected to have it removed but even unfilled, I has become a bit of a nuisance in my life along with some complications that are not going to get better. Good luck and try not to blame yourself like I. Did for quite some time.

You know what is funny is that I have noticed a lot of people with auto immune  having issues with their bands.

I mean a lot of people have issues with bands but there are some people who belief for some reason that the band kind of irritated their auto immune...

Good luck

Sorry you're going thru this!  One thing about the VSG is less after care.  I'm having a multitude of issues with my band, still getting stuck w/o fill, etc, best of luck to you!

Unfortunately this is becoming more and more common. Everyday it seems another person or 2 writes the same thing. Quite often they revise to the sleeve and a few to RNY but anything seems to be better than the band these days. Myself I've been empty for 2 yrs and just waiting to be eligible for medicare so I can revise to the sleeve. I hope it all works out for you!

I'm sorry you're going through this.

If you haven't already joined, there is a group where we discuss some of the issues you've listed:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/failed_lap_bands/discussion

I wish you the best.

When I try to go here it says I can't any ideas on how I can join this site? thanks.

I believe some of us have bodies that are very sensitive to inflammation and bloating, which doesn't go well with the band.  I had mine for 4 years.  When my body worked with my band, I did well, but that became less and less.  I finally revised to the sleeve last year.

My every day life is SO GOOD with the sleeve....what I am struggling with is my food addictions and eating habits.  Once I was able to eat ANYTHING, but just in small portions, I literally started eating EVERYTHING again.  UGH.  My fault.  The sleeve is awesome.  It works JUST LIKE the band is supposed to work, without getting stuck or sliming.  Just a full signal, and you are done eating. 

Hugs to you Red. I am sorry to hear you have gone through this. The first thing I would do is to start documenting everything. Go to mydailyplate or myfdittnespal.com amd log every bit you take. Then log all of your exercise. It is my understanding that you can print off your pages. Next, document how it went eating each meal. Get a new wls where you are at, noiw. take in your logsw, ask them to get the ER reports, previous wls notes, etc. Including fills and unfills. I would ask to have the rest of your fill removed to let yourself heal inside. If things don't get better and you get stuck on dense protein, still, that in itself is a reason to have revision. You may need a UGI or endoscopy as well. Document, document, document. Ask that all logs be attached to your records. Including the times you puke.

When my body decided to reject my band I continued to get stuck even though all  my fill had been removed. After waiting 8 weeks my surgeon said it had to come out. I was really heartbroken because I truly liked mine. My UGI was absolutely normal but they frequently don't show a problem even though there is. My surgeon revised me to a sleeve but I haqd a horrible time after, which is not normal. Now I am doing well and am getting used to working with my new tool. Sleeve is not a perfect wls but none are. For me it was the only option that made sense if I couldn't keep my band.

I wish you well.

Sue