"BTW, you can't see a flipped port on endoscopy but you can with simple xray or fluoroscopy."

I was typing fast there and taking shortcuts. I meant fluoroscopy. He didn't do anything other than try to find the port for a fill and when he couldn't find it after poking around for a while, he said "it's flipped." and scheduled me for surgery.  Maybe he was eager to do a surgery again. Surgery is the answer for a surgeon, right? When you have a hammer, every problem is a nail. 

I was kind of mad at myself afterwards. I really should have insisted on a fluoroscopy or xray before agreeing to have him go in to flip the port. What a waste of time and money.  Really, this whole band has been a waste of time and money. 

In hindsight, I would have asked for his partner, Dr. Chappano, to look for my port. Herrera always had some difficulty finding my port, even though he put it in and it was on the chart. Chappano never had a problem finding it the few times I went to him.   In fact, if someone is thinking of going to North Florida Surgeons, go to Chappano. Don't see Herrera. I thought it was kind of telling that the last time I wanted to schedule an appt with them, Herrera was available the next day but I had to wait two weeks to see Chappano because he was booked. Of course I scheduled with Chappano. I won't see Herrera again. 

Hi all,

I had my lapband March 2007, only lost about 16kg (34lbs?) total over about 7 months, had issues after a flight to South Africa and had to have near total unfill after not being able to eat for 6 weeks... Since then I have played the game, fill the band, too tight, unfill the band too loose... I am talking .1ml measures up and down each time.... Just could not find that sweet spot anymore... 

I gained all of the weight back + another 5kg more when I wasn't looking.... De Nile is not just a river in Africa!  Had started to see my band nurse again in November 15 and gave myself 6 months to get working with my band and losing weight again... In that time I have had at least 6 fills (.1ml) and 2 unfills.  Have lost a very lowly 4kg, and it has been a struggle.  I am still high protein low carb generally, and have since Nov dropped the carb stuff that had crept back in to my diet...

I started to have some severe reflux issues and waking in the night running to the bathroom... choking... So band unfill some more... continued having same issues.  Decided enough was enough and that I was now ready to revise to Gastric Bypass.

This is a huge decision, I wanted the band in the beginning as was less invasive option etc.... My surgeon was apologetic for doing the band at that time and says he wishes he talked me into bypass originally.

I have had all my Pre-op consults and thunderbirds are go!  Surgery date is 19 July and very excited, scared and nervous all at once.  I have started the good habits in advance of needing them - have never been good at taking vitamins, but have this nailed now.  I am starting daily exercise now too - which I never adapted to with the band.... I want to be one who enjoys exercise!

So that is where I am at, hoping not too major adhesions for the revision - my surgeon is great said it does not matter - will sort them when removing band and then move on.... He may be removing Gallbladder too, it has been giving me some grief lately and think may have passed a stone recently.

Reading and researching like mad, looking forward to making it too goal this time!

Kazzy2

NZ

It's in my chest/breast and back too. When I take deep breaths, it gets into my shoulder some. 

Hey Nic! I'm 2 weeks post op for removal and am still having chest and shoulder pain. How long did it take to go away?

You WILL have scar tissue from the band, everyone does.  A revision surgeon can do it with no problem in one surgery but your standard issue surgeon will need to do it in two surgeries AND it's very likely to be much bigger than you want.  It is sooo important to go to a revision surgeon. The only time a revision surgeon can't do it in one surgery is with a new slip or erosion.  Otherwise the Standard of Care is to have it done in one surgery.

One big big issue you need to look at is esophageal damage.  The band causes a TON of esophageal damage and in that case your only good option would be bypass.  Bands by nature are a high pressure device sitting a few inches under your esophagus.  It is always pushing food and liquid up and your esophagus is always pushing it down.  The two are at battle all the time and eventually the band wins the war.

A sleeve is a medium pressure procedure and in an otherwise healthy esophagus it is no problem.  But for an esophagus with damage it is a big problem.

If you do have esophageal damage then bypass is your best bet and the reason is... it is a zero pressure procedure.  Your food is pulled down through your esophagus with the aid of gravity.