Question:
Has anyone heard of having lap band surgery after gastric bypass?

I had gastric bypass nearly 3 years ago.I started at 254lbs.I lost down to 143.I have since gained 20lbs. and I am scared to death that I will gain all of the weight back.I can eat just as much as before the surgery.I heard that it's possible to have the lap band surgery after Gastric bypass.Is this true? How does one qualify?How does a person qualify for a revision.I swear my stomach is back to its original size.I am so depressed.I am desperate and I don't know what to do.Please help!    — MICHELLE R. (posted on March 1, 2004)

March 1, 2004
Michelle: I think you should check with your doctor. He may want to order tests to find out what's going on with your pouch. If your stomach was not transected, it's possible you have a staple line disruption which would allow you to eat more. I think your surgeon would certainly want to check your pouch size before he/she would consent to any type of revision surgery. Other than that, all I can suggest is what I'm sure other long-term post-ops would tell you - go back to the basics of protein, water, exercise. Just because you "can" eat more doesn't mean you should. Lots of folks who post here have re-gained a little weight, and by going back to the basics are able to get it back off. Best wishes.
   — Carlita

March 1, 2004
Michelle my surgeon told me that it is not unusual to gain back about 20 pounds after 2-3 years so that is why he incourages us to lose a few extra pounds below our goal weight. But like he says your still way ahead of the game. Good Luck to you....Nancy
   — nefish

March 1, 2004
First, are you still following pouch rules? Protein/water/vits/exercise! Have you slacked any on these? Congratulations on your lost. You have done great! You should call your surgeon and have a checkup. A simple test could be done. I have never heard of someone having a lap band after gastric bypass, but I have heard of the opposite. I would try getting back to basics as you did at the beginning of your journey. Up the water/protein & exercise! If, this does not work then call your surgeon and be tested and at that time inquire about a revision. This is just my thoughts on the subject.... If, you have faltered in any way on your eating habits in the past and began to eat again as you were pre op.... you must eat healthy foods once more. Weigh your foods (I still do) Eating/hungar pains could be more head hunger! Exercise, when you have the need to eat other than your small meals daily. Anything to get your mind off food at this time. It's like reprograming yourself. Simply getting back to the basics. Eating like a new post op & exercise. I will be 13 months post op on 3/11/04. I have lost -111 pounds/83 inches. I was at goal by my 9th month. My Lap RNY was so easy it was scary! lol No pain/complications/no problems with taking vits...nothing. Other than 3-4 dumpings in the 1st 4-6 months from eating to fast... I feel like I have been living this lifestyle forever. It's wonderful. I must confess I seeked the help from a therapist 6 months prior to my procedure. My obesity was not from the love of food, but from insecure feelings I have had since childhood. Shame it took 50 years for me to finally realize I could not overcome these feelings w/o help. I know surgery would have helped and I would loose weight, but would I keep it off? Would the emotional eating begin again as it always had. Food was my crutch/comfort/best friend....I no longer would accept this fate for myself. I have been reborn and love myself now. Food now longer enters my mind/rules my body/controls me. I emerged a more confident & positive person. I went to seminars/support meetings/spoke with post ops as a pre op. I researched and researched some more. Not just short term, but also long term post ops. I wanted to know what to expect in my journey good/bad. I was totally prepared and positive that this would not fail me and I would not fail it. I was lucky to have a great surgeon with a structured aftercare program & support meetings monthly. Not only the meetings/programs, but we have also had Style Shows for post ops. Our surgeon also has the best staff and dietican available 24/7. I have had 4 blood workups & 1 bone scan. After 1st year... post ops go at 6 month intervals for blood work/check ups. So many surgeons don't have this for their patients and they seem to fall by the way side. I journal everything from day 1 of surgery. I walked my 1st mile upon return home from the hospital. I have not missed one day walking since surgery! I keep journal of food/protein/water/carbs/exercise daily. I weigh/measure once a month on my anniversary date. My goal was to become healthy once more and I have. Off 5 prescribed meds day of surgery. Only my vits and B-12 shot. My day begins at 4am...Call me crazy, but I love working out early. I'm at the gym every morning 7 days a week at 4:30 and walk no less than 7 miles at a good clip. I do weights 3x a week and water aerobics 5x a week (hour sessions) Yes, I work hard, but I'm worth it and the results are amazing. I was at goal by my 9th month/joined the Century Club by my 6th month. My beginning weight was 250 (5'4")I was in 26's now 4/6's. I was 53 time of surgery. I set small goals and achieved them. After 2 months I discarded the scale and weigh once a month. I plan my meals in advance and stick to it. High protein/low carbs/veggies/fruits. I eat now just as I did at 4 months post op. By staying with what got you there helps keep you there! Once you begin to induldge...you fail your tool/yourself for long term success. Of course, most want to return to eating smaller portions of the old foods they loved, but I don't! I'm very forunate since I never have missed/craved/mourned the old foods, so eating healthy is made easy and routinely. No doubt in my mind my theraphy is what helped me overcome the connection I had to/with food. I no longer relate to food the same. I eat to live rather live to eat. I could easily not eat anything. It's like I had brain surgery too... lol Your problem could be medical and a revision could be in order, but if it's not.... you need to examine your options on how to get back on track, before considering another surgery. I wish you the best. I'm sorry your so depressed. I've been there/done that. But no longer. Take control of your life..your worth it! Remember this is just a tool and we must work it! (((HUGS)))
   — Hazel S.

March 1, 2004
I had an RNY 11/2000 and had the lap band put on October 2003. My insurance paid for it. The reason it was done is because I did not have any pouch function. Apx. 5 months posts; was diagnoised with no pouch function (this is verified thru an Upper GI. ) Its not common but can happen if you have an RNY. When they made the stoma the surgeon expects it to shrink; most do - some too much (and you get stricture) a few dont shrink at all. This allows food to fall from your espogus into your intestines - and allows you to 'eat' more than normal RNY. First I would suggest your sugeon order an Upper GI to see if this is your problem first. If it is; my sugeon just submitted to insurance what was 'what'. Had to go to level one appeal before they said yes. At first they tried to make me go thru 'normal approval' which is bogus cause you cant qualify (weight is too low) I talked to the nurse in appeals directly and told her what was going on. It was causing an eating disorder (I could go days without eating) and I could easily overeat since my body never told me when I was full. If you have a non functional pouch; and the upper gi shows it; i dont see it to be much of a problem. I did have to have mine done 'open' because I got adhesions from the RNY; but it was fast healing. You will NOT get any results from the lap band until you get your 'fills' that could be about 4 - 6 weeks post surgery.
   — star .

March 3, 2004
Thanks so much for all of your advise.I love this website!It is such a great place to find information.Good luck to everyone!I appreciate all the great tips!
   — MICHELLE R.