Question:
revision..lap band to rny

I had lap band dec 11 2007....have had nothing but problems and hardly any weight loss. I have a consult on May 19th with a great doc in Joliet Il. I am wanting to have the band taken off and switch to the RNY. My insurance company will cover so I'm not worried about that but when I was at the seminer the doctor said he does do the revision but there are some risks...I am a little nervous buts it something i really want done. If there is anyone out there that has done this I would really like to get your opinion and if see if you have had complications. thanks    — SWESTMOR1 (posted on April 26, 2010)

April 26, 2010
I don't really have an answer to your question. But I do have a question for you. Why do you think the lap band did not work for you? and what kind of problems did you have? I just had the lap band done myself and wonder about those who were not successful and what happened. Can you tell me a little about your situation?
   — monicae

April 26, 2010
I am considering the same thing and wondering if I should go to ryn. I have been out 5 and one half months since I got my lap band and am wondering if this is a stupid idea. I am at 210lbs. And I have only lost 10lbs since my surgery. Very discouraged and am pretty much able to eat anything .
   — pandavenise

April 26, 2010
Hi. I don't have the exact situation as you, but it is close enough that I feel like I can answer based on my own experience. I had the VBG (stomach stapling with a silastic ring to form thr pouch) in September of 1997. Due to a mechanical failure (lost ring) I was revised to a proximal RNY in May of 2000. The surgeon who did the revision had done enough of them that he refused to just re-do VBG due to the high failure rate. He would only revise to RNY which was more than fine with me. When I went in for my consult I had to watch a video about revisions. According to the video, revisions carry increased risks due to longer surgical time and to possible adhesions that they may encounter when they get in there. Also, there is just an overall increase in the possibility of complications. My revision went off without a hitch, took less time than expected and I was THRILLED that there was less post-op pain than with original. I did develop a pretty bad post-op infection at two weeks out that landed me back in the hospital for 5 more days but still, overall it was very much worth it. Make sure that the surgeon doing the revision has a good bit of experience doing them as they ARE more of a challenge. You don't want to be someone's training case! Good luck!
   — Kellye C.

April 27, 2010
Hi. I don't have the exact situation as you, but it is close enough that I feel like I can answer based on my own experience. I had the VBG (stomach stapling with a silastic ring to form thr pouch) in September of 1997. Due to a mechanical failure (lost ring) I was revised to a proximal RNY in May of 2000. The surgeon who did the revision had done enough of them that he refused to just re-do VBG due to the high failure rate. He would only revise to RNY which was more than fine with me. When I went in for my consult I had to watch a video about revisions. According to the video, revisions carry increased risks due to longer surgical time and to possible adhesions that they may encounter when they get in there. Also, there is just an overall increase in the possibility of complications. My revision went off without a hitch, took less time than expected and I was THRILLED that there was less post-op pain than with original. I did develop a pretty bad post-op infection at two weeks out that landed me back in the hospital for 5 more days but still, overall it was very much worth it. Make sure that the surgeon doing the revision has a good bit of experience doing them as they ARE more of a challenge. You don't want to be someone's training case! Good luck!
   — Kellye C.

April 27, 2010
Hi I had the same thing going on with the lap band as you. I had it done July 24, 2008. I am having RNY on May 11,2010.I cannot take this band anymore.I did everything I was told to do. I lost 26lbs the first week and lost 5 more at 6wks out. I did not lose anymore weight, I gain weight. I now weight more now then I did when I first went to have the lap band. I am scared but everytime I get on the scale I am less scared.. I wish u luck with whatever u do.
   — JANIECEMOM