Question:
3yrs out on Lapband and want it taken out, can I get some help?

My first yr. I lost 65lbs..felt good, but still dealt with some issues, but just pushed it aside as part of it and it would go away...well IT never left and I am now 20lbs bigger than when I had surgery. The IT is I can't eat anything but sweets,alchol...Everything I eat I throw up and I have sever acid reflux....If I have a drink before my meal, I can eat the whole meal...if not I eat 2 or 3 bites and throw up for 30mins....Honestly I may go through a whole day and only eat a bowl of cereal..I have become disabled since my surgery due to arthritis throughout my whole body and severe back and nerve damage..all of which limit my exercise to really just walking very little..I am seeing several doctors to help with this to build up my strength to be able to do more..I suffer severe pain daily. I want this lapband out so I can at least eat a salad. I don't know weather to do a revision or just take it out and join weight watchers and start over..please give me some sound advice. Honestly, I do as much exercise at possible and I eat cereal in the morning and sometimes that's my dinner also..and occasionally I take a shot of gin, so I can eat a decent meal..I don't want to become an alcholic just so I can eat. My doctor is brushing me off and saying he does not want to take it out...I thought it was my choice??????????? Someone help me..I have gone into depression over all this...    — jannyb35 (posted on January 15, 2010)

January 14, 2010
Schedule an appointment with your surgeon... ask for a revision or takedown. Let him/her know what has been happening... check with you insurance, too, to see if they approve revision/takedowns, most do. If you don't want to change to RNY, then they can just take it out. I, personally, would recommend that you do a revision and go for the RNY. I had extreme problems with my band, so extreme that when they took it out they could not do the RNY in the same surgery (too many swollen organs)... so now I am battling to get the RNY as a revision. Keep us posted.
   — Kathleen O.

January 15, 2010
Janet, You have several issues happening here. So let me hit on a little of each one. First, they may not be in order of your email, but you will get my point. The first thing is: You have started to replace alcohol for food 2) it sounds like you might be getting scar tissue forming over the opening of your pouch. That happens a lot with the lapband (or perhaps it has slipped). So liquids go through much easier, but gin isn't the liquid we are looking for. Depression will set in that is why I mentioned the alcohol first. If you can go to your doctor have him do an endoscopy to see if you have a stricture (scar tissue) forming over the opening. Then,your "all over arthritis" and nerve damage, could be "Fibromyalgia". I have it and it just feels like you have the flu all the time with every nerve, muscle aching, but it isn't the joints at all. So, step back, look at one issue at a time, and once you are certain you do or don't have a sticture, then move onto the next issue. One may fix the other. I mean, if you see there is hope your your lapband, then the alcohol will be removed. Then you look at the other pictures and it will take some time but if you need support or just want to find out what to do, you can email me at my profile. I have to admit, I give very honest yet gentle advise. So, don't let the weight gain and alcohol and arthritis and your doctor get you down. If your dr won't help, find one who will. You are in charge, not them. Best wishes. I hope you find some comfort in my email. Look into the Fibromyalgia, it is very important that they pin point the issue.
   — Kristy

January 15, 2010
I'm wondering if you have had appropriate fills? An over fill that was never removed? Saying you pushed it aside makes me wonder if you have been working with your surgeon from day one. How does the gin help you eat a meal?
   — Donna O.

January 16, 2010
Definitely explore the fibromyalgia route as suggested before. However, if you do decide on a revision I suggest you research the Doudenal Switch.
   — Mike A.

January 16, 2010
Wow! I could have written a large part of your post a year ago. I had the band for five years. Many of the symptoms you are describing are most likely caused by a severe slip, possibly with a hernia. I had both. Be very careful of the reflux at night. I inhaled reflux into my lungs at night and the result was asperation pneumonia. Kristy had some very good advice. After having the band removed, (it was supposed to be a slip repair), I wanted to eat everything in site and gained 45 pounds. I went back to my origional surgeon, and he gave me a gastric sleeve. It has been the best decision I ever made! I have lost weight much faster than with the band, no going back for fills, no throwing up or spitting up, and after six months can eat a small amount of most anything I want without restriction. You get full very quickly, but things don't get stuck. Don't give up hope, talk to your surgeon about a revision. I also have fibromialga, the best thing for it is exercise because the tendons and ligaments need to be worked for the pain to go away. Also, you can't loose a significant amount of weight without exercise. Just walking for 30 minutes a day can make an unbelievable difference. Toned muscles also compact and you look smaller (if female). Don't feel overwhelmed by this, you can do it! One last tip is on the alcohol. As you know, that is empty calories and lots of them. A glass of wine or a coctail occasionally will not harm you, but if you want to loose weight and keep it off, it can't be part of your regular program. I wish you the very best of luck, I have been where you are, and know how you feel. Contact me if I can help, I care!
   — Bonnie H.