Lapband Out!

Crosspost: Hiatal Hernia repair & Realize band placed: 4/26/10, Hiatal Hernia Repair 4/12/12, tiny Hernia repair & lap band removal 3/28/13. I only did well with my band for the first 4 months. I loved those 4 months. When pool season ended, my bariatric surgeon gave me an additional fill. Those 7 1/2 ccs got tighter until I could not swallow my saliva. Although the fluid was removed the next day, my journey into esophageal dysfunction began. I had over 11 fills/unfills before switching surgeons because I was not being heard. This lead to last years hiatal hernia repair. Again, my esophagus failed to recover. Almost 3 weeks ago, I caught a stomach virus & my vomiting never stopped. I even ended up in ED with positive blood in my vomitus. A scope revealed a highly irritated esophagus with ulcerations. Surgery revealed a very tight band.

I am not a candidate for gastric sleeve. I am considering bypass. Right now I believe my esophagus is not back to normal. I am angry that I had faith in the first surgeon who only wanted me to be able to eat 2 bites & be full. I now know that meant: bite 3 & you will vomit.

So I will be withdrawing from the list & wish you all the best.

I'm terribly sorry you went through all this. So many of us are right there with you. I hope you heal well! Wishing you all the best.

 

 

Congrats on getting it out, that's a step in the right direction.  I was just chatting with someone on vertical sleeve talk .com who had mirror experiences to mine (mine sound a lot like yours) and she successfully revised to VSG 6 months ago.  She has no GERD, heartburn or esophageal issues.  Don't give up!

Really? After 3 hiatal hernia repairs, I was told the esophagus would only do worse.

Your best bet would be to let yourself heal well and then get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. I never hurts to talk to different surgeons.

Like all people, surgeons too vary in skill, so you never know.

I'd consult with a few "experts" regarding any future WLS.  I'd want to look at why your repairs failed, what materials/surgical methods were used etc.

Sorry that you've been through so much.  Just concentrate on healing now.

 

All Best

 

I had esophagus issues, I found it depends on you surgeons personal ideas what they tell you.  The surgeon that did my Lapband is a big RNY guy and pushes them.  One is pro sleeve and one is pro anything but, the band.  The pro RNY guy removed my band and felt I would have to have a RNY.  The other two felt the sleeve was best based on my doing so well with the band when I didn't have medical issues with it.

I now have the sleeve.  Talk to several to get the best for you!

How much did it hurt to get the lapband out?  Thanks

You might want to ask on the failed lapband group for more responses.

It didn't hurt any more getting the band out than it did going it.  Now, the sleeve surgery didn't hurt as bad as either of the two.  It depends on how much damage.  May port was totally encapsulated in scare tissue.  They had to cut it out and than exorcize the scare capsule.  That with the removal of other scare tissue had to be performed.  If they just had to remove the band I'm sure it would have been a lot less painful than getting the band.

They called my surgery at 9:15 am and I was home at 1:30.  I had a 25 minute drive home.  I would have felt better if they would have just sent me home the same day getting the band too. 

I felt a hundred times better after the band was out.

In fact, I was trying to leave my nice recovery room before the anesthesia fully wore off. I kept trying to head on out... the nurse had to restrain me from leaving!
It was like night and day... the band caused me so much pain. After it was out, I felt like a different person. The removal surgery, even with scar tissue to contend with, was easier for me than the placement surgery.