Question:
lap band revision to RNY

I have had my band for about 3 years. Lost 137lbs. Very satisfied with current weight 150lbs. I have been having a very difficult time eating. Have a difficult time even swallowing water at times, lots of "pb". Doc says band is in wrong place completely they are talking about revision converting to RNY anyone have this done? Did weight regain occur? Is it necessary to go thru the "presurgical" steps for revision? I had my lap band done in mexico, I did not have all the presurgical steps. I now have insurance that will cover wls. Thanks for any info.    — marlo (posted on December 22, 2008)

December 22, 2008
Hello, I have not experienced what you are describing, but I have heard of problems with lap band and it is usaully removed and another WLS intervenion is performed. I do not know if RNY is the way to go but follow your gut feeling. If I was in your situation I would probably go ahead and do it. I had lap band 12/07, I lost over 100lbs and feel very comfortable. Lap band is pretty successful but in some cases a revision is needed. I would not let them remove it and leave and not perform another procedure. Statistics are not wrong, you will regain the weight. Remember Lap band is restrictive and you eat less, that slows your metabolism down a lot. So when its removed your appetite will return while your metabolism is slow which will result in weight gain. Take care and I hope you make the right choice. Santos in Bronx, New York
   — cancelsbronx

December 22, 2008
Thats a hard decision since your at a good weight. Is there no way to fix your lap band? I had RNY 3 months and Im thrilled with my results. BUT I will forever have to deal with the malabsorption issues. I would also think you will need to go through all the pre-op steps, after all it is a surgery. Goodluck
   — urbrat2

December 22, 2008
I had the lapband in 2004 and a revision in 2007 to RNY, u lost really well with the lapband I know quite a few people including myself that didnt lose well at all with it. The lapband in my opinion is a waste of time, when your Insurance Company approves you for weight loss surgery you can get whichever one you want, my lapband doctor at the time didnt tell me that because of course he only does lapbands and didnt want me to switch to a Dr that does the RNY. I work in the medical field and a lot of insurance companies are starting to think twice about the lapband because the longevity of it isnt good. When I got the RNY it was one of the best decisions in my life the lapband was one of my worst but you learn from your mistakes and are able to help others along the way. I weighed 214 on surgery date for lapband lost about 50 pounds in 6 months and that's it, by Jan 2007 I weighed abt 220 lbs. I was 224 on surgery date in May 2007 for RNY and currently I am 130 about 10 lbs from my goal. I do understand that nothing is a magic bullet but please if you get a revision go with the RNY so you will not have to deal with the lapband problems again in 3 more years, ask yourself do you want to continue to have to have surgery to correct the same problem over and over again???? I did have to follow a presugical diet to shrink the liver so I am sure you will to. I know alot of fellow lapband patients (maybe including yourself) will not agree on my opinions of the lapband but I can only speak on experience. Take care and please keep me posted I would love to follow your new journey...Happy Holiday to all
   — crlindfw

December 23, 2008
I have spoken to several people who went from Lap Band to RNY and were much happier with the RNY. I saw a revision surgery on "Big Medicine" on TLC (tlc.discovery.com/tv/big-medicine/big-medicine.html) where they removed a band that had slipped or broke and was not working and did the RNY so I am certain it's possible! ...You might check out the revision board here in "forums" and see if you can find people who have had the experience in this double surgery that you can talk to and ask questions of. Good luck!
   — .Anita R.

December 23, 2008
I highly doubt they would reivse you to RNY because of your current weight. If they did in the beginning you would lose too much, too fast and be underweight.
   — Katrina B.

December 23, 2008
Marlo, I suggest listening to the doctors. If your band is in the wrong spot, it SHOULD be removed. I recently watched a program where they removed a band that had slipped. It's not an easy thing to do. However, as long as you are dealing with skilled, experienced surgeons, I don't think that you have too much to worry about. Please be sure that this is what you want to do though, before allowing them to do the RNY. You may start to lose some more weight, that is possible. Make sure to ask the surgeon all your questions. Write them all down first and make sure that you take the list with you. We all think that we can remember our questions in our head, then when we are there, we forget half of the things that we wanted to talk about. Be prepared by getting all the information that you can. I really doubt that you will put weight back on though. The RNY seems to have a greater success rate than the lap band does anyway. I just want to say good luck to you and that if you ever need anyone to talk to, us Canadians make pretty good friends! LOL
   — anitak