JustFluffy

Hi - I posted on the other thread as well. Are you doing a revision to RNY at the same time as your removal? I know some doctor's do it laproscopically - mine is doing a mini-open. He is also removing my port (which is in my chest) . I think he is more worried about that than the removal and revision. Wow - 50% - I heard something similar...I'm really disappointed and have felt like a failure for the past few years (gaining all this weight back), but I'm trying to be positive. I'm going to look at my band as a "training" for my RNY...at least I know somewhat what to expect for the diet...

I did pretty well with my band (the first year), since then its given me nothing but problems. I'm now to the point everything I eat gets stuck in my throat, I end up sneezing, and coughing and then throwing up (most solids). I know we aren't supposed to drink with our meals but the only way I can get my food (even mushies) to go down is to drink a soda with my food - it expands my pouch enough for the food to go down. It is the lesser of the two evils. My esophogus has stopped working and I have horrible gerd (which the soda doesn't help) - but at least I can eat something that way. I can't wait to have it removed and get on with my life. I was lucky for insurance to pay for mine - but am now trying to come up with all of the co-pays for the hosptail and my doctor. Are you going to get a revision to band?

Hey Cassie - glad your appointment went well with your doctor. Mine two does a lot of revisions - I do wish I would have done RNY the first time, but at the time of my surgery the band sounded like the right choice. Hindsight - I'm hearing more and more removals and coversions for whatever reasons. Some it works for some it doesn't. I went this past Monday for my pre-op. This included an ultrasound of my abdomin, the ekg, bloodwork, an exra of my abdomin, the chat with the anethsiologist and pre-regsitration. Then two hours with the nutritionist on my post surgery diet. The diet looked very similar to the band diet - although each step (Clear Liquids, liquids, soft/mushies) will be longer and there will be foods I've been told not to eat for at least six months out. The Vitamins was a big part of the nutritionist. My doctor is more than an hour away and says the B-12 supplements over the counter do not absorb as well so I will have a monthly injection to do from home. That actually made me happy. I can live with one shot rather than the pills that don't seem to be effective. I also found out from my bloodwork that I have a potassium deficiency caused from my hypothyroidism and diaretic...so they started me on some time realsed supplements. It was a long day (Monday), but I have everything taken care of for next week. My doctor is putting me on a two day liquid diet prior to surgery. I will have to be there at 5:00 a.m. - which means getting up at 2:00 a.m.... Please let me know how everything goes with your tests and when you get a date :-)

Hi! Welcome to RNYTalk...I know how you feel about the doctor switch. Sounds like you are getting really close. Insurance is funny - it really is. My insurance (BCBS of Texas) approved me within two days for my revision. A friend of mine (having worse complications than I am) is having to jump through the "hoops". I know you will be glad to be done with their requirements. Let us know how everything goes and definately after your doctor's appointment. I'm having surgery on Monday week (Aug 1) and am nervous and excited at the same time. Best of luck to you :-)

Just an update to any who are reading...my surgery has been postponed a week. - Now August 1st. Hope it doesn't move again...I was psyched and ready, but it is what it is...another week to prepare. Going to the store today to stock the house on liquids. I have to do a liquid diet two days pre-op and I go on Monday for all of my pre-op appointments. Hope everyone is doing well out there and begins posting.

My surgeon places ALL of his ports in the chest area - that is his standard procedure. The belly fat part is interesting to me as well...never heard of that. Hmmm. I do now the chest is not the recommended placement - the chest muscle is more active and you have a better chance of flipping your port (which I've done twice). I've also heard of flipping issues as well in placement in the abdomin - so I think it may go either way...

I guess I will reply to my own post (its lonely here - we need more posters)...I found out today my insurance approved my revision. Surgery is scheduled for 7/25/11 :-)

Hello all - anyone else having surgery in August ? I'm a revision from the Lap-Band. Well my surgery has been moved to August 1st...have pre-op tomorrow :-)

Hello all - I will be having revision to RNY from band in two weeks. I go for my pre-op on 7/18. I'm full of all types of emotions right now. I'm excited, scared, hopeful and anxious all at once! I found out a few months back I was having complications with my band (esophogus) and some erosion. My port has also flipped (for the 2nd time). I changed doctors when I moved from Georgia to Florida a year ago. My new doctor told me the band had to go - was causing too many complications and with my GERD issues I should never have had the band to begin with. I had a consult with with my new doctor, Dr Nye in Pensacola, this past week after discussing RNY. They filed for the insurance last week and I talked to them today and I was told insurance had approved me :-) So a new journey begins - wasn't the one I thought I'd be taking three years ago. I was banded thinking I'd have it forever and had no idea the problems that I would have nor that I would regain all of the hard lost pounds. I'm looking to this with glass half empty - I know it is going to be hard, perhaps harder than when i was banded. I jus thope the glass fills up in the end...just trying to prepare as much as I can.

Thank you for your response. I got approval from my insurance today - and my surgery is scheduled for July 25. It is good to hear from someone that has gone through the revision. Two short weeks - I know it will fly by. Take care of yourself and feel better soon - I'll be joining you in not too long. I hope this site picks up - I've always enjoyed LBT (although left for a while - which is why I'm a newbie now).

Hi Wheetsin. I think the failure (from his explanation to me) is running into complications. He said the tissue of the stomach where the band is paced gets very thin under where your band is placed. If converting to the sleeve - there is a better chance of leakage at this area. I really think it should be taken on a case by case basis. I'm not ideal for sleeve, but it sounds like perhaps you are. My doctor has the most experience in RNYs, has done sleeve and other WLS as well - he has been a surgeon for over thirty years. Saying this - I'm very comfortable with him doing my RNY conversion but would be hesitant with the Sleeve. Like patients - I think doctors are all different as well. You have to be comfortable with their level of expertice. Best of luck Wheetsin - let me know what he says. I actually have my pre-op for surgery on Monday (July 18th) - found out today I was approved by my insurance :-)...I will get more information then.

The majority of band doctor's place the ports in the abdomin. However, there are a few (the doctor that did my band surgery), that place the ports in the upper left chest area. It is stitched to the left chest muscle. Mine is under the upper part of my left breast. The tubing is ran under the breast and to the band.

Oh - another "rule" - If you can't tolerate shredded meat. Don't eat it...EVER.... I have NEVER not gotten stuck on shredded meat (I too was stubborn and tried it - just in case)...If you are going to try solids meats - make sure you cut your portions up into little bitty pieces (like what you would feed to a toddler) and chew chew chew...until there is nada left to chew...and make sure they are not "dry" meats...

Mindy, The first thing you should do is call your doctor. Until you get an appointment, going back to liquids and even mushies would be a good idea. The "shreaded" meats give most bandsters problems. You may still have a piece "stuck" in your opening causing you to PB & Slime. If you have PB'd a lot then you more than likely do have a lot of swelling. Your doctor many need to take out some of your Fluid to help your swelling and give you the ability to eat solids again. The band makes the stomach very touchy. It can take days for it to go down - depends on how inflamed you are. If you continue to become sick on solids, stick to the mushies/liquids. You don't want to continue getting sick, which can cause a slippage. #1 Call your doctor tomorrow morning #2 Stay hydrated and try to get your Protein in (through shakes/supplements) - keep your strength up.

I don't wanna be a downer, but it sounds like to me this is a "am I too full" post. Sounds like you are really close to your sweet spot. It sometimes can take a few days for a little swelling to go down right after a fill (so you may end up really tight the first couple of days after a fill). Looks like you had .5 cc put in on Thursday - you may have only needed .25cc. However it does sound like to me you have good restriction right now. 1/2 wrap may be your limit (is there lettuce, tomatoes.."filling" stuff in there? You may be getting "stuck" on the lettuce). Many banded can't tolerate it. As for the hunger afterwards...at my sweet spot I would always get hungy 2-3 hours after eating. I would try to get in a healthy Protein snack (or shake), to ease my hunger before time for my next "meal". Everyone is different though. However, I don't think you should expect to be full 5 hours after eating. I don't know if it is realistic. (Others may have another opinion). In reality your pouch is the size of an egg...it fills up and you are eating less (hopefully 1/2 cup at a time). Once that food passes - yes you will become hungry again after the digestion process finishes. Hope this helps a little bit. My doctor always placed me on mushies for a couple days after a fill for my body to "adjust" to the fill (as I said before there is sometimes swelling). You may be exactly where you need to be. Give your body some time to adjust - it may loosen up a bit for you. If not you may need a little bit taken out. Tip - when you have the "elephant on your chest" feeling (isn't it wonderful?), stand up and put your hands in the air over your head. It really does help. Also if you are stuck on a meat, mix a little meat tenderizer and warm Water and sip on it...will help loosen up the meat a bit.

I had surgery in April 2008 and my port is in my upper left chest area. I have always had problems with it being sore there (there are a lot of nerve endings that run in that area of the body - is what I've been told). I had to have port revision surgery three months after being banded because the stitches holding my port down came free and it flipped. Now three years post op my port is free (partially) again. Word of warning - just be careful - we use that area of the body more (muscles) in daily activity than those with their ports in their abdomins. I will tell you the soreness from the bra does get better as you heal, but it may or may not get better. I am not an advocate for the port being located there because of all the complications I have had. I'm not trying to scare you - but it is a reality. Hopefully you will have a better outcome than I did. Some people don't have any issues at all. Let me know if you have any questions..I'll try to answer the best I can. Forgot to respond to the reasoning: It is my understanding from the doctor that did my banding surgery that it is there more for convenience (for the fills) and also was told it will not impede or interfere with any organs as those in the abdomin (more specifically the tubing can interfere with the intestinal wall).

Adge, Know you are not alone. I'm glad you have come to a place to talk to others about your struggles. There is a lot of good advice and support here on this site. So many of us are successful with the band, intially. Some continue their success and others struggle. Some struggles are due to medical complications, other struggle through band adjustment and changing lifestyles. Being banded isn't easy - it is hard at first physically - and can become harder mentally as time passes. I too have had my struggles - have jumped on and off the band wagon so many many times. Discovered in the past few months I have medical complications from my band, and it will now have to be removed. My best advice is to find your support (whether its friends, family and even here on LBT) and see your doctor. Sometimes when your fill is too much you end up eating around your band and gaining; if it is not enough you overeat because you aren't at your sweet spot. It is very difficult to find your "sweet spot"...even for of us banded for a while. It isn't always your fault...don't be too hard on yourself. I hope you find your feet again and wish you the best...

Hey GeorgiaGirl...so glad to hear from you! I blame the markers of the road...I'm "not" directionally challenged...and the way I figure it I ended up doing a 7k - lol I'd looked into the Sleeve but my doctor advised against it. He says that out of all of the WLS out there when revising from Band that it has the highest complication rate and 1 in 4 fail. I've done a lot of research and tend to agree with him. Another one of us banded has had issues as well and Dr. B advised Plicitation which scares the hell out of me. Most insurance companies also see it as experimental. I'd rather chance a revision surgery on a proven surgery not one so new. My new doctor says for me RNY will give me the results I need - all the problems I've had and weight regain the Sleeve (with complicaiton rate) and esophogus issues that I've had are his reasoning. He is a good surgeon and I value his advise - he has been around a long time and has a very good reputation. I'm sorry you've had so many issues as well. A second opinion never hurts...I know many of us have had issues one reason or another. And Others have also been very successful. Everyone is different - and one doctor's opinion isn't always golden. I don't have a facebook account. I had one before my divorce, lets just say I haven't picked it back up. You can always e-mail me....I will try to stay in contact more. Take care of yourself and see a doctor whether it is Dr. B or another...a leakage is a leakage and I think you need to find out why you can't get restriction. Right now your band is useless without it and could end up causing you more problems. Just my opinion. I don't know when my revision/removal will be. I'm still waiting on insurance. Hope to hear something in the next few weeks.

Hey Girl - been a really really long time...I've had a rough time. I've gone and gained all my weight back (long long story) - will have to talk about it later. Long story - lost my benefits with divorce, changed doctors when I moved back home and ended up with GERD issues...got sick and had to have my Fluid removed and believe I have a flipped port again. My doctor can't access it and with the GERD problems - he said the band has to go. We discussed my options and I've opted for RNY (after a lot of soul searching and research). Now just waiting on insurance. I've been sick this week - can't eat or drink anything. Today is the first day in a few days I've kept anything down. Hope you are doing well.. Your long lost sis - Leslie

I've had a hard last two years, year one I did great with my band. I've moved and changed doctor's...and ended up with esophogus issues (dilation and now it isn't working at all), really bad GERD and I have little fluid. The problem is my doctor cannot access my port to take out what little fluid I have in my band (3 in a 10 cc band)...My band has to come out. I'm now waiting for insurance approval for revision to RNY. Hope everyone else out there is doing okay - looks like no one has posted here in quite some time...

Hi Wheetsin, My band too has to come out (was banded April 2008), although not for slippage issues - I've had other complications. I originally requested my surgeon to revise to Sleeve. He told me it has a 1 in 4 failure rate and also to keep in mind that it has the highest complication rate of Band to other WLS Revisions. He said Sleeve wasn't for me - every patient is different though. I'm waiting for RNY insurance approval - has been a hard process for me. I too didn't want the malaborption issues either which is why I wanted the Sleeve, but after talking to my doctor and researching RNY (for me) is the way I'm going. I've gained back all of my weight the band helped me lose plus twenty pounds in the past two years. I know I need the medical assistance and am ready to get the band out and start living my life again. I'm not trying to sway you or anyone else one way or another...just wanted to pass a long the information for you to digest. Best of luck to you.

Hi...im very excited for you...will be relieved when insurance makes decision...do you know your date yet?

Hi, I'm waiting on my insurance to approve my band to RNY revision. They have approved my port revision (three months ago - which I had to wait on pre-existing condition clause) until now to have. I was banded April 11, 2008 by Dr. John Bagnato, Albany GA. Assessment day I was at 271, with a pre-op diet I went into Surgery at 259 pounds. By my first fill I was down about twenty pounds - or perhaps I should say attempt at a first fill - my port had flipped. So I had to schedule revision surgery, which I had in July. I think lost an average of 15 pounds a month. I found out right after my revision surgery my husband was having an affair - emotionally I was a wreck but I think it gave me a push. By November I was down to 214 (my lowest weight). I worked out, followed all the rules - strictly and even ran in a 5k. My marriage continued to deteriorate and by December I asked for a divorce. We separated in February. I ended up moving to my hometown in Florida (four hours away) in March. It never dawned on me the impact of moving to another state would have on my health due to my band. I ended up getting sick and had to get an unfill a few months after moving to Florida. I went back to Georgia for one fill which I had to have removed due to esophagous spasms. When my divorce was final in October 2009 I lost my benefits. I quit my job when I left and it took me four months to find a job (and it didn't offer benefits). But with two small children to feed I didn't feel I had much choice. So no doctor, no follow-up. I tried to find a doctor in Florida to see me, closer than four hours away. No one would take me. I tried everything. I finally found a doctor in Pensacola that would see me. He was able to put in 1cc (I have a 10cc band) in November 2010. I went back in March for my second fill and he couldn't access my port. By the way my port is in my chest, stitched to my left breast muscle). He said it has to be moved. We filed the insurance and they denied me due to pre-existing condition (June 2010 is when my insurance took effect, so I had to wait until June 2011 for anything related to my band). In May I started having port pains and reflux issued - I had an upper GI done. I have mobility issues in my esophogus and some erosion...so I'm told that the band has to come out. I had an appointment Wednesday of this week with him. He confirmed it and we discussed alternatives. I had been reseraching the RNY for a few weeks (once he told me bye bye band)...so now I'm waiting on insurance approval. I'm curious how many of us are out there? and if it is specific to the doctor or type of band? Is there a specific timeline when the failures/complications begins. For the longest time I blamed myself - thought I'd done something wrong. It appears after getting back on LBT (after a two year departure), I'm not the only one. I really hope this RNY site takes off...looking forward to talking to everyone...

Hello all...I too will be a Band to RNY revision. I'm waiting now on insurance approval. I have gained back all of my weight lost along and decided well that cellulite may be lonely , so lets add another 20 pounds to it... I'm glad to find others out there to talk to about these issues. Sometimes the Rose Coloured Glasses mentality can be frustrating...I know the band does work for some, but I unfortunately cannot include myself in those numbers. I look forward to talking to all of you. Leslie

Hi Teri, I haven't had the surgery yet, but I too will be a band to RNY conversion. Congratulations on your weightloss! It is awesome - I agree with you...I too didn't "get along with my band". I guess itially I did, but after about a year I started having complications (other than port revision six weeks out). I hope this board gets up and running, LBT is a good site - hope this one will grow as well. I look forward to chatting with you - I may have tons of questions... Leslie