Band07

Who are you going to ?

I'm not sure about the liquids for some reason Iv never been a big drinker of anything so the band just increased what was already a struggle with the whole don't drink and eat thing and wait 30 mins. I didn't revise only because of reflux, It was managed with Prilosec well enough but more so because of just sick of the whole lifestyle that came with the band. Yes I could have loosened or unfilled but only with weight gain. Iv not had even a slight bit of reflux since removing the band but I also had a hiatal hernia repair during the revision. I had many barium swallows over the years since I worked in the surgeons office, a few dilated pouches that I would refill for about a month to correct but they never fully corrected. My esophagus is still dilated even in my recent X-rays.

I am so sorry you have had such problems. I have been (happily) banded for nine years but have seen others banded around the same time having serious complications and for some, like you, removal. Equally, as you say, I know many people totally happy with their sleeve but a good friend of mine has had her whole life turned upside down by hers and has simply had to accept that this is her life from now on. All surgery carries risks and I am always concerned when people rush into it without real knowledge. Your post is a good reminder to those looking into surgery - it may not be what they hope. Please don't take this amiss if I just add one thing. Banded people cannot remove all risk. But they can minimise it. And the main way of doing that is by never keeping the band so tight that it physically prevents us eating or causes pain. If either if these things s happening, food is backing up into the oesophagus which can lead to oesophageal dilation or dysmotiliy or damage to the vagus nerve. Nothing is worth that! It us true and in the last few years thankfully the new way of thinking at my office was stay as loose as possible and still lose as opposed to the 3 bite tight mentality that i was banded under.

Take this for what it is, just my personal thoughts and experiences but that being said, I had a lapband for 6 years, Iv had the sleeve for a year and a half and I worked for a bariatric surgeon for almost 7 years. I LOVED my band, I went from 223 to 139 lbs and I maintained around 145 for years ! However, in order to do that I had to keep the band very tight. I couldn't eat anything before noon or after 6 without pain and suffering. When my body had enough I had shoulder pain and chest pain and never just felt full. I was always dehydrated and ended up with kidney stones twice but i was happy to sacrifice because I was a size 6/8 for the first time in my life ! But live long enough that way and it causes problems (severe reflux) and just misery any time you eat or try too. Of the hundreds of patients Iv worked with over the years, very few (maybe 30/40% ) have kept off weight and been successful long term with the band. My surgeon started offering the sleeve and after years of "selling" the band to others (with my personal success as a witness) I asked him to revise me to the sleeve because everyone said how wonderful it was. Well for many it is but for me I hate mine. It's not always the same for someone who has had prior surgery so as I type this today, I have gained almost 20 lbs since the sleeve and it's a fight (that I'm losing) to not gain more. That being said, if I was starting as a virgin patient today; I would choose the sleeve or the mini gastric bypass (which I'm revising too). We didn't know enough about the band in 2007 when I had mine but we now know there are cases of it fusing to the liver or embedding in the stomach wall and the chances are if you go with the band you WILL at some point have a revision. We really don't have all that long term study on the sleeve and while I don't worry and complications, I do think it will be at risk for regain. Do your research, make your own decision but i at least wanted to share my story

Take this for what it is, just my personal thoughts and experiences but that being said, I had a lapband for 6 years, Iv had the sleeve for a year and a half and I worked for a bariatric surgeon for almost 7 years. I LOVED my band, I went from 223 to 139 lbs and I maintained around 145 for years ! However, in order to do that I had to keep the band very tight. I couldn't eat anything before noon or after 6 without pain and suffering. When my body had enough I had shoulder pain and chest pain and never just felt full. I was always dehydrated and ended up with kidney stones twice but i was happy to sacrifice because I was a size 6/8 for the first time in my life ! But live long enough that way and it causes problems (severe reflux) and just misery any time you eat or try too. Of the hundreds of patients Iv worked with over the years, very few (maybe 30/40% ) have kept off weight and been successful long term with the band. My surgeon started offering the sleeve and after years of "selling" the band to others (with my personal success as a witness) I asked him to revise me to the sleeve because everyone said how wonderful it was. Well for many it is but for me I hate mine. It's not always the same for someone who has had prior surgery so as I type this today, I have gained almost 20 lbs since the sleeve and it's a fight (that I'm losing) to not gain more. That being said, if I was starting as a virgin patient today; I would choose the sleeve or the mini gastric bypass (which I'm revising too). We didn't know enough about the band in 2007 when I had mine but we now know there are cases of it fusing to the liver or embedding in the stomach wall and the chances are if you go with the band you WILL at some point have a revision. We really don't have all that long term study on the sleeve and while I don't worry and complications, I do think it will be at risk for regain. Do your research, make your own decision but i at least wanted to share my story.

Yes it is possible to resleeve. Regardless of what others will tell you it is possible to restretch you stomach, some people are more likely than others for a lot of reasons. My "sleeve" is very large, my surgeon used a 42 Bougie and had to start with a larger sleeve because of scar tissue. It easily stretched out in just a years time. I have X-rays to prove the size and for me, it wasn't about cutting carbs or increasing exercise. I needed a tool that worked for me as long as I work for it and I don't have that. Be sure though that it is the sleeve that is "broken" and not you before restoring to another surgery. I obsessively researched resleeving for months as well as pouch resets and back to basics before deciding to revise to MGB. I'm scheduled for 4/23. Best of luck for whatever you decide.

Thanks guys ! I'm scheduled to revise to MGB on 4/23.

Who is doing your surgery ?

Guilty ! Lol that's me, just trying to get as much information as possible as I think of things. It's really not that big of a deal for me, I'm 99% of the time the DD and prefer to drink water because of the high calorie content of alcohol and it always puts me up a couple of pounds. The only time I would actually miss it would be on a vacation.

I don't drink a lot but do enjoy the occasional margarita every few months, how long after surgery and how does it effect you now ?

You're right Rocky, I know we've talked before and I had told you I was fine with it, they however they always think the worst lol I know there are so many on here who have not had any problems at all, I was just hopeful hearing a few stories would calm their nerves a little lol

My family is a little ( a lot) worried even though Iv produced numerous articles discussing the decrease in violence over the last couple of years. Please share your experiences so that I can share with them.

You will feel so much better having it removed ! I loved mine and never even realized how it was affecting me until it was gone. I can tell you even though I'm gaining weight I still know I'm much healthier than I was with the band and I definitely don't miss PBs, sliming, back and shoulder pain and feeling stuck for hours after every meal !

Wow that is unfortunate you had to go through all that ! I swear to you that would have been my first suspicion if you had posted on here that you had the cough, I can't believe it took your doctors a year to figure it out. Though I have actually worked in the bariatric surgery field for over 6 years so Iv seen that quite a bit. Yes Iv also read MGB is a cure for that but just today I watched a video in which Dr. Rutledge said that it is not necessary to fix a hiatal hernia if doing a MGB and any surgeon who says it is, is not experienced with the procedure.

http://www.slideshare.net/mobile/DrRRMD/fear-confusion-about-the-risk-of-cancer-after-bariatric-surgery

https://sites.google.com/a/clos.net/mini/billroth-ii/billroth-ii-and-cancer

Form what I read it prevents it but Iv also read conflicting reports about the risks of cancer, some say it does not reduce the chances.

That's not what Iv heard with the MGB, most Iv talked too have to avoid or severely limit most dairy with the exception of yogurt and especially high sugar foods to avoid terrible gas, bloating and dumping all of which scare me to death lol I had some dumping symptoms (nausea, sweating, cramping) the first six months with my sleeve whenever I ate anything too fatty or greasy so I think that is a likely sign I could have it with MGB as well. I'm okay with it, anything that keeps me making good food choices is an added bonus ! Lol

I went today and bought some Premier protein to try and I also found a high protein organic nutritional shake that I bought singles of at Kroger in vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. It only has 10 grams but it has lots of other vitamins and nutrients in it. I'm desperate to find at least one that tastes good as I usually hate them all I also plan to order some nectrin syntax protein soon. I'm struggling right now with my farewell to food tour ! I know it's terrible but there is a good chance I'll never be able to eat some things ever again and I have this overwhelming desire to have them one more time ! Lol I haven't gained any weight luckily but I still work out a lot. I was only asked to do one week of pre op diet but I want to start increasing my protein and water now to help with healing. I already take B12 and biotin and a multi vitamin daily.

Wow Iv never heard of that before ! There is a closed group on FB called MGB and Iv found everyone there to be very supportive and willing to help. A lot of them are 6/7/8/10 yrs post op! Maybe try there as well .. Good luck !

I really think you will feel great and will be anxious to get back home and start your new life ! I bet you won't need the extra days at all and will prob be itching to go after 3 days

Also, just FYI, when I consulted with Dr. Ortiz he wanted to plicate my existing sleeve and not actually revise the sleeve so be aware of what each surgeons idea of "revision" is.

Thank you so much for all the encouraging words !! After sleeping on it I'm again feeling confident in my decisions! Though I'm also a little mad I have to admit, not that they love and care for me but that also part of their argument was that "not everyone was meant to be skinny" and "god made me this way "and the more I think about that the more mad i get ! I AM meant to be skinny and more importantly healthy and confident with myself !! And I'm pretty sure, poor genetics, slow metabolism, horrible food choices and an addiction to sugar made me this way ! Lol

Yes ! Actually I was just logging on to see if anyone has heard of this. That is what Iv been told he does.

I had just come from my Crossfit class and I was sitting there still sweaty form the workout I had done, I reminded them how hard I was trying and still gaining weight! I even brought out my original before pics and they all said they never even remembered me being that big ! I understand they love me and they are worried and it makes me sad but it also scares me because I don't want them to be right. I have researched SO much, I think it's just overwhelming for them and for me as well, I mean surgery is scary but on top of that there is worry about flying across the country, going to another country, and to a city once known as the most dangerous city in the world !! I admit, it's a lot of variables !! but, I can't do it without the surgery and I want so badly to feel better again.