Questions about Revision Options - LapBand to ?
I was banded May 20th, 2008. I have had more problems than good times with my band. I have had an empty band for the last 2.5 months due to a band slip. I have not regained any weight , but mostly because what I do eat ( that is healthy) comes back up. The "bad stuff" stays down, for the most part.
I have an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday afternoon to discuss what to do now. When I had my upper GI today they mentioned removing my band, Said it would most likely slip again if it was fixed. I am frustrated because I have only lost 30 lbs since my surgery. I lost 25 before surgery and don't want to regain the 55 pounds. I am in no pain with the band. I just feel like my food gets stuck no matter how well I chew or how slow I eat.
I know people are very pationate about their surgeries and their choices and I understand that. I am not wild about having something that is permanently changing my body, but not strictly ruling it out at this point.
I am interested in learning more about DS and VGB. If anyone would be so kind as to share if they have been revised after LapBand to either of these surgeries and what it took as far as insurance approval etc to get this accomplished.
I appreciate anyone's help.
Thanks-
LizzieNJ
275/252/222/175
Consult/Pre-op/Current/Goal
AP Small 10cc Band
Surgery Date May 20, 2008
1. First Fill - July 7, 08 - 2cc fill
2. Second Fill - August 6, 08 - 2cc fill (Total 4 ccs)
3. Complete Unfill - November 3rd, 2008
4. Third Fill - November 17th, 2008 - 2 ccs
5. Complete Unfill - March 9th, 2009 - Band Slip
6. Recheck - April 1st, 2009 - Still Slipped
7. Recheck - May 18th, 2009 - Still Slipped
8. Met with Surgeon - May 20th, 2009 Scheduled to have Band Slip fixed
I revised to DS after the band didn't work for me either. It was a choice of DS or RNY really, and I picked DS mainly because it would be guaranteed to cure my diabetes.
When I spoke to my surgeon he recommended the DS because he thought I needed malabsorbtion as well as restriction, and the sleeve and proximal RNY are mainly only about restriction.
Sleeve stomach though (which is part of DS) is much easier to live with than the band - all the good stuff stays down! As with all the surgeries you have to watch out for the carbs, but I can eat lots of protein and fat and still lose weight. I'm not at goal yet but its within sight.
Can't help you with insurance though - over here we have to pay.
Sal
DS revision from failed lapband
275/252/222/175
Consult/Pre-op/Current/Goal
AP Small 10cc Band
Surgery Date May 20, 2008
1. First Fill - July 7, 08 - 2cc fill
2. Second Fill - August 6, 08 - 2cc fill (Total 4 ccs)
3. Complete Unfill - November 3rd, 2008
4. Third Fill - November 17th, 2008 - 2 ccs
5. Complete Unfill - March 9th, 2009 - Band Slip
6. Recheck - April 1st, 2009 - Still Slipped
7. Recheck - May 18th, 2009 - Still Slipped
8. Met with Surgeon - May 20th, 2009 Scheduled to have Band Slip fixed
I had an RNY in 2002, and have been researching a revision, and I have personally decided on DS.
I might have to pay for my revision as well. I have found a surgeon who does RNY to DS revisions, and am doing thier work-up, and then once I have finished, they will be submitting it to insurance. So, only time will tell.
I encourage you to visit the messageboards, and post (or X-post) the same questions... lots of good info on the other boards (DS, lapband, RNY) people who will speak up about the insurance hoops & personal experiences.
I hope I helped!!!!
-Jamie
RNY 2/26/2002 DS 12/29/2011
HW 317 SW 263 BMI 45.1
SW 298 CW 192 BMI 32.9~60% EWL
LW 151 in 2003
TT 4/9/2003
Normal BMI 24.8 is my GOAL!!!
GBP (RNY) 2/26/02 298 lbs, TT 4/9/03 151 lbs, DS 12/29/11
HW 317 SW 263 BMI 45.1/CW 192 BMI 32.9/GW 145 ~ Normal BMI 24.8
**Revision Journey started 3/2009 Approved 12/12/11**
275/252/222/175
Consult/Pre-op/Current/Goal
AP Small 10cc Band
Surgery Date May 20, 2008
1. First Fill - July 7, 08 - 2cc fill
2. Second Fill - August 6, 08 - 2cc fill (Total 4 ccs)
3. Complete Unfill - November 3rd, 2008
4. Third Fill - November 17th, 2008 - 2 ccs
5. Complete Unfill - March 9th, 2009 - Band Slip
6. Recheck - April 1st, 2009 - Still Slipped
7. Recheck - May 18th, 2009 - Still Slipped
8. Met with Surgeon - May 20th, 2009 Scheduled to have Band Slip fixed
I was banded May 20th, 2008. I have had more problems than good times with my band. I have had an empty band for the last 2.5 months due to a band slip. I have not regained any weight , but mostly because what I do eat ( that is healthy) comes back up. The "bad stuff" stays down, for the most part.
I have an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday afternoon to discuss what to do now. When I had my upper GI today they mentioned removing my band, Said it would most likely slip again if it was fixed. I am frustrated because I have only lost 30 lbs since my surgery. I lost 25 before surgery and don't want to regain the 55 pounds. I am in no pain with the band. I just feel like my food gets stuck no matter how well I chew or how slow I eat.
I know people are very pationate about their surgeries and their choices and I understand that. I am not wild about having something that is permanently changing my body, but not strictly ruling it out at this point.
I am interested in learning more about DS and VGB. If anyone would be so kind as to share if they have been revised after LapBand to either of these surgeries and what it took as far as insurance approval etc to get this accomplished.
I appreciate anyone's help.
Thanks-
LizzieNJ
Are you sure you are interested in VBG? Not a lot of success there. Banding just doesn't work. Have you considered a sleeve? VSG? IF you can do well with restriction alone a sleeve is a great option.
One concern I have, if you didn't lose well with the band because of band problems and food choices will you do well with just restriction alone? I was banded too, hated it. But if you get really honest with yourself you will realize that if you can eat bad food then you can eat good food. If you can eat ice cream you can drink a protein shake. If you can eat chips and crackers you can eat dried veggies.
When people don't do well with the band because (partly) of food choices maybe malabsorption is a better bet?
275/252/222/175
Consult/Pre-op/Current/Goal
AP Small 10cc Band
Surgery Date May 20, 2008
1. First Fill - July 7, 08 - 2cc fill
2. Second Fill - August 6, 08 - 2cc fill (Total 4 ccs)
3. Complete Unfill - November 3rd, 2008
4. Third Fill - November 17th, 2008 - 2 ccs
5. Complete Unfill - March 9th, 2009 - Band Slip
6. Recheck - April 1st, 2009 - Still Slipped
7. Recheck - May 18th, 2009 - Still Slipped
8. Met with Surgeon - May 20th, 2009 Scheduled to have Band Slip fixed
I am going to try and have it fixed next month and then go from there. If that doesn't work - then I will look into a revision to another surgery.
275/252/222/175
Consult/Pre-op/Current/Goal
AP Small 10cc Band
Surgery Date May 20, 2008
1. First Fill - July 7, 08 - 2cc fill
2. Second Fill - August 6, 08 - 2cc fill (Total 4 ccs)
3. Complete Unfill - November 3rd, 2008
4. Third Fill - November 17th, 2008 - 2 ccs
5. Complete Unfill - March 9th, 2009 - Band Slip
6. Recheck - April 1st, 2009 - Still Slipped
7. Recheck - May 18th, 2009 - Still Slipped
8. Met with Surgeon - May 20th, 2009 Scheduled to have Band Slip fixed
