Question:
Has anyone reversed the lap band and then had rny?

I had lap band in April 2003. I lost about 80 lbs and then put back approx. 40. Big sweets eater, that's why I think I might do better with the rny. Any thoughts???    — daisymae (posted on October 18, 2004)

October 18, 2004
Just a thought, but you are not guaranteed to dump with the RNY. I had the RNY done on 2/10/03 and have achieved goal with great happiness, but not everyone dumps with it. I for one do not. Therefore, I have to be careful and stay away from the sweets, saving them for special occasions. If you don't think you could do that, you may end up disappointed with the RNY as well. I would hate to have that happen to you and then have two failures to deal with. Just something to keep in mind. Kathy
   — kathyb

October 18, 2004

   — ELIZABETH C.

October 19, 2004
Problem is... what if you don't dump? Then you had a revision and still have the sweets habit. Maybe what you need to do is slowly ease away from the sweets. I did that with night eating. It took me 3 mos to break the habit. Quitting cold turkey never has worked for me on anything except caffeine.
   — mrsmyranow

October 19, 2004
Carol, Have you considered the BPD/DS instead? I do know a couple of people who have had Lap Band revised to RNY, but ultimately went on to be revised to the DS. I've got a friend who had her Lap Band converted to DS in February - she had a very difficult time with the Lap Band - but is loving life as a DS post-op. I got to be her angel for surgery, so have seen first-hand how things have changed for her. Let me know if I can help! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

October 19, 2004
Hey .. I checked out your profile, but there's not much to go on, such as your fill history, etc. I know it can be frustrating, but before you go through a second surgery, have you considered giving your Band another chance? I also don't know if you have ever posted to the Band message board, but it's something else you might try. I had my band placed 3 months after you, and I am down 56 lb. I haven't made it to 80 yet, but I am not discouraged! :) Here's the link to the Band board if you want to come vent. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/LapBand/posts.html Hope to see you there!
   — Jeanie

October 19, 2004
You might look more carefully into the DS revision option. What I have copied below is a recent decision by the California Department of Managed Health Care (a very conservative group) reporting their decision on the appeal of someone who wanted a revision from a LapBand to an RNY; while the DMHC upheld the denial, they explicitly said it was because they didn't think a revision from LapBand to RNY would be appropriate -- they RECOMMENDED the DS instead! I think this is quite an endorsement for the DS as a revisional procedure.<P> The patient is a 41-year-old female who is 5'6" weighing 304 pounds with a body mass index (BMI) of 48. The patient underwent Lap-Band surgery in 1998. At the time of surgery the patient weighed over 500 pounds. Her weight reportedly dropped to 180 pounds following the procedure. She has been experiencing weight gain and worsening of distal esophageal dilation. The patient is status post multiple Lap-Band adjustments. She wishes to undergo revisional gastric bypass surgery. The Health Plan has denied authorization for the requested procedure on the basis that it is not medically indicated for treatment of the patient's medical condition. Review of the medical literature indicates revisional weight loss surgeries have a high complication rate. A patient who has failed a restrictive operation (Lap-Band) is more likely to fail another restrictive operation longer-term unless a malabsorptive element is added. The study cited above reported high incidence of protein and nutritional deficiency after revision of gastric bypass to distal gastric bypass. Furthermore, a patient with a BMI of 48 may have a high failure rate after a restrictive procedure. A more suitable option may be a hybrid procedure such as duodenal switch. Removal of the Lap-Band is medically indicated to prevent any further esophageal dilation. Revisional gastric bypass is not likely to be of benefit and is not medically indicated for treatment of the patient's medical condition. The patient should be evaluated for consideration of a duodenal switch procedure. Based upon the information set forth above, I have determined that the requested procedure is not medically necessary for treatment of the patient's medical condition. Therefore, the Health Plan's denial should be upheld.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 26, 2004
No judgement here,just observation.It does not seem like the band failed but that you fsiled to use the band effectively.If you have not committed to using your tool correctly then no surgery is going to be successful as there are pitfalls with all of the surgeries.You did great losing the 80 lbs so in actuality you know that the band works.Instead of spending more money on another surgery your money may be better spent on psych and nutrition counseling.Also unless you are self pay if there is no evidence of mechanical failure with the band you may have a hard time getting your insurance to pay for a revision.
   — Lisa F.