Are you happy you had LAP-BAND?

YES!

May 2010 Realize Band implanted, hiatal hernia repair, uneventful recovery
Aug 2010 fill 3 cc
March 2011 fill .5 cc
Summer 2011 began to have epigastric pain at night.
Sept 2011 stomach virus
Sept 2011 pain upper right quadrant, duration 2-5 hours increasing, then subside quickly
Oct 2011 barium swallow, band fine, slow esophageal emptying
Oct 2011 upper abdominal ultrasound positive for gallstones
Oct 2011 gallbladder removal
Feb-May 2012 increasing GERD symptoms, nighttime epigastric pain radiating to shoulder, neck, jaw, back.  Palpitations gradually increasing in frequency
May 2012 had cardiac work up, stress test, echocardiogram, negative for heart disease.  BP was elevated, so new drug Rx, resolved palpitations/hypertension.  Epigastric pain persisted.
June 2012 upper GI with barium shows stoma at band is nearly closed.  Barium drips through, but no stream.  Barium is backed up into esophagus.  PA removes all saline (3.5 cc confirmed, clear, no sign of infection).  Under flouro, barium is still in esophagus, emptying slowly.  PA and Radiologist are concerned, but decide after I drink 8 oz water to schedule me for follow up 5 @ weeks.
July 2012 follow up, lost 4 lb.  still having problems eating anything fibrous, but able to eat, at least.  Barium swallow shows smaller than expected stream thru band, but also shows slow esophogeal motility, but not so slow as to require follow up.  PA states that since I'm tolerating food, losing and have a bit of a motility issue, she won't fill me, but cautions me to stay on the band diet and if I'm able to eat everything and quantity increases over 1 cup, to come in for another evaluation.
Oct-Dec 2012 In early October, became very intolerant to most foods and started having nighttime pain again, GERD symptoms.  Symptoms subsided for two weeks, then returned.  Taking PPIs for GERD, probiotics and experiencing extreme constipation. BMs only every 8-10 days.  Bloated miserable, having pain, feeling like food is stuck.  November, saw GI doctor and he ordered EGD, soft low fiber diet.  December EGD negative for Hpylori, celiac, erosion, Barrett's.  Prescribed Amitiza for constipation.  Antispasmodic for GI spasms.
Symptoms improved.
Feb symptoms (intolerance of meals, feeling stuck, etc) returned.  Consult with GI doc, schedules GES.  Results normal gastric emptying times, but abnormal esophageal retention.  GI doctor follow up in 2 weeks.
March 2013: barium swallow:Dx achalasia, severe esophageal dilation due to LES failure to open in response to swallowing.  Discussed options for removal/revision and further testing.
April 2013:  scheduled for esophogeal manometry test.  More than likely my band will need to be removed.
High weight 290 lb
Surgery weight 281.5
Band emptying weight 225
Current weight 202
Goal weight 170

At all times my PCP, Gastroenterologist, Cardiologist and Bariatric Surgeon were in communication.  Procedures, records and test findings were shared.

Preexisting IBSd. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, GERD.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction/Spinal Stenosis
Left knee osteoarthritis-replacement recommended 

Still taking all medications I was taking pre-band + amitiza, antispasmodic and additional hypertensive drug  

Wags1104, I think you got a unanimous yes on the VSG board.  I think you'll be much happier with the sleeve in the long run.  

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/4616276/Would-you-do-i t-again-if-you-had-the-option-to-go-back/

Sadly, I have to say that if I were to do it over again I would choose the Sleeve.  I love my band and it worked well for me.  I lost 120 lbs in 9 months...however, it's been a challenge to manage overtime.  If for no other reason, I would choose the Sleeve because it's a restrictive procedure (like the band), but doesn't require fills!  

Best~

Lisa O.

I've had both the band and the sleeve and for me, the sleeve is the hands down winner. 

Lap Bands frequently require follow-up surgery for repair, replacement, or removal and if you were to require a sleeve down the road, revisions surgeries have a higher risk of leaks. 

Surgery does carry risk and if you and your family are seriously concerned about those risks, I would think the 1 sleeve surgery would be more appealing than the likelihood of multiple surgeries associated with a lap band.

For me, the band was so miserable, I couldn't encourage anyone to waste her time with one.

Best of luck in your decision,

Lindsey

I too have had both the band and the sleeve, and if you feel that WLS is the only option left for you...then please have your husband come on over to my Failed Bands Group, and educate yourselves on what you'll have in store for you, if you proceed with getting a band.

 The link to the group is in my siggy.

Consider reading through the revisions forum.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/a,messageboard/

Look at all the people who are desperate to have bands removed. And their insurance won't pay for a revision surgery... or they have too much damage from the band to safely revise. You'll see a recurring theme... "the band failed."  It's because the band is the worst choice for most of us. There are a few who have had success. (But even the information given by the manufacturers includes the disclaimer that the band will most likely not last a lifetime. That means you're signing up for multiple surgeries, almost guaranteed.)

YES! Almost 2 years out and wish I had done it years ago.

I did not want my insides rerouted so the band was my choice!

its hard work but so worth it!

I'm so happy I had lapband surgery.  I have no regrets at all.  I would definitely do it again.

I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. It saved my life.

If you have any questions or would like to chat on the phone I have free long distance and would be happy to chat with you.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss:  156 lbs

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