Lap bang to RNY

Had my appt with the surgeon today and all went ok. The only issue was that the surgeon said he's is one of few that  removes lap band and do RNY in the same operation. He removes the lap band and then 8 weeks later after healing will do the RNY. 

He knew I was upset and then  decided that he would book 3.5 hrs of surgery time , then remove lap band and if he sees no issues will go ahead and do the RNY. 

I have a surgical date of Jan 25 

and have 2 weeks of opti fast to start 2 weeks before my surgical date. 

the bummer is that If  he does only remove the lap band and wait 8 weeks I'll have to do the optifast all over again. 

Is anyone out there had this issue or know someone who has. 

Want to know if you have a lap band and are having surgery what was your experiences. 

Thanks 

simon

I had my lap band removed followed by a revision to RNY  December 4 at TWH.  I had  also been told  that they would remove the band and only proceed with the RNY if there were no problems with my stomach.   I had two scopes done of my band before surgery,  so they were pretty sure everything was OK but they never know for sure until they begin the surgery.  I wasn't able to find a lot of people in the Ontario forum who had gone from a band to RNY.  

Thank you for your reply. Yes you are right not too many go band to RNY. 

I did my program in Windsor and all through my program was told no problem don't worry they will remove when the do the RNY. But when I finally had my surgeon appt he's said he has taken out hundreds of the bands and kept stressing how inaffective they really are.  He said he will remove the band allow it to heal and then 6-8 weeks later do the RNY. I was so upset as this was the final step before the surgery. Stated that he has never done a lap band to an RNY. 

Wow I was so upset. I too had a scope and all was good 

I don't know what situation  your band is in  but mine was put in in 2013. And for the last 10 months to a year has been totally deflated. Was your band deflated also??? I guess the longer the band is in the more tissue damage it can create. 

all my band did was make me vomit. 

He said it depends on how much damage the band has done. What condition was your band when removed????. 

So after talking a few more minutes he could see how upset I was and said  "" look this is what I will do. ? "" he had me sign consent that he would remove lap band and possible revision to RNY. And booked 3.5 hrs of OR time to do both  procedures.  But kept stressing that he would only do it if he went in and seen the lap band has not made it more difficult to do the RNY. 

I don't know what to think it's like I'm unsure of what is going to happen. All I can do is on the day of surgery ask him nicely to take it out and do the RNY.  

It's  a crap shoot for me. It's a maybe yes and a maybe no. 

My hopes are that its going to be done and don't have to go through all the pre op stuff again including the optifast. now one thing he did say was that a lot of all of his co worked have done the band with revisin but said he's not comfortable doing it that way. That coment was concerning. Oh well it is what it is right.   

Thanks again I wait for you reply. 

simon. 

I had my band for 12 years and never had problems with it until 2 weeks before my RNY surgery date when it suddenly tightened and I could only tolerate full fluids. They did an x-Ray and scope and it hadn't slipped or eroded but I was sure that something was wrong with my stomach and, like,you I worried that they would remove the band and do the RNY at a later date. Luckily they were able to do everything at once. Interestingly alot of the research on band to RNY revision indicates that there is a better outcome with less complications  if the two are done separately. However, who wants to go under the knife twice. 

12 years wow. I only had mine for almost 3 yrs. 

did everything go ok after surgery post op and do you have any issues now from the lap band or RNY 

It's great having your experience as you were the only reply to my post. Very rare I guess to go lap band to RNY. 

I too think your right the highest success would be to do each surgery separate.  But don't want to redo prep of opti fast twice. 

I have to do it for 2 weeks then surgery. 

I feel more hopeful after reading your experience. 

So tell me about your RNY and your progress and how your doing now. Your surg was dec5 th so your only a few weeks post op. 

Do you have any pain issues and do you have any stomach complications. 

Your story sounds like a great success and I'm glad you have done so well so far. 

Wish you all the success in the world 

great talking to you and thank you. 

Simon 

I have had no issues since my surgery. I had very little pain although it was difficult to bend over and I still sleep in an upright position. I did not need to take pain medication once I got home,  can walk easily and have been driving since Friday. I was tired for the first couple of days when I got home but my energy is back now. I don't think my experience is typical and everyone has different reactions to surgery. I had some family issues after the surgery and didn't have the luxury of taking things slowly.  I think the fact that I was forced to move around helped get rid of the gas that everyone complains about being so painful.  I am still on full fluids so don't know how I will tolerate solids. I will tell you that food tastes different and  when I eat it is not enjoyable. I find the protein drinks very hard to take without diluting them and have had   problems getting enough protein and fluids. I was also surprised to find that I was hungry although it may be 'head hunger'. Also my weight loss has been slow. I lost 14 pounds while on optifast, gained it back after the surgery, and have now lost the same 14 pounds, so in effect I haven't lost any weight. I am not discouraged however because I figure the weight loss will come. I have read that the weight comes off slower after revision surgery anyway.