Bandarella

Medicare does cover the sleeve now in most states. Call them to check.

Band over Bypass...BoB

I don't have a sleeve, but have researched it pretty thouroughly hoping to revise. A friend of mine is a sleeve expert and explained that ghrelin is a hormone produced in the gastric fundus and in other organs of the body. For many sleevers, it is reduced enough to completely dim their hunger. In others, not so much.It sounds like you are experiencing head hunger. If you're thinking of a particular food (craving) that's head hunger. If you are willing to eat anything' including healthy foods, you're truly hungry. Time to seek the help of a nutritionist to support your WLS. Best of luck to you!

With my first pregnancy, I was sick the entire nine months, vomited blood, went from 141 lb to 112 lb by 24 weeks, 130 at term. The baby was born on his due date 7lb 13 oz. I weighed 117 when I was discharged. He's a healthy 5' 11" 190 lb Executive VP of a major corporation. It's your body that sacrifices. My metabolism was never the same after that pregnancy. I would get a bit of an unfill (recommended before the start go the third trimester). It will help you eat healthily and maintain your metabolism. Congrats!

I developed arrhythmia about 18 months post op. Had a stress/echo and it was negative for cvd. It went away with my band removal several months ago, but returned in late December with a vengeance. I did a 7 day and 24 hour holter and was Dx with pcp and SVT. I'm on metoprolol at night and it's helping but not completely. I saw the electrophysiologist and he said that a vasovagal response CAN be brought on by stimulating the esophagus. With my history, we're seeing if I can learn to live with the reduced arrhythmia or if we should do catheterization. I don't want to undergo another procedure, especially if the irregular heart rhythm is being stimulated from a non cardiac source, I've read of others having similar experience after band surgery, fainting, palpitations, etc. This is purely anecdotal. Hope you get some answers from your holter test!

I have esophageal dilation from my band causing achalasia symptoms. I was told RNY might be an option, but after removal was told the tissues at the lower esophagus are too damaged to tolerate further surgery. I would see an esophageal surgeon to consult on your options. They generally work closely with the bariatric department and can give you a better idea about further surgery. Good luck!

You need to see your doctor stat. Most Bariatric doctors deal with all things gastrointestinal, so I would start there. Take your temperature. Fever is a sure indication of infection. There have been instances of tubing getting wrapped around the bowels... Call your doctor. Best of luck to you.

I came across this site long after my Lapband surgery looking for some support with complications. I belong to a Facebook group for those dealing with regain and revision. I joined that group when my band complications made it pretty clear I would be losing my tool. Other online forums aren't as active as this one, so I joined. I'm a little discouraged, since the banders here seem to be closed minded about hearing about late complications of banding. I get why, since I was a very active proponent of banding, had great success and shot down anyone who dared say that bands = long term trouble. One thing I've noticed in researching my complications is that male banders don't seem to have as many serious complications. I have a family member who is doing well almost 5 years post op and he hasn't had one problem. He is, however sympathetic to my situation and has done a bit of research on complications and acknowledges that they do happen much more frequently than stated in the manufacturer's disclosure. There is a strong mindset within this community that following a set of rules for eating and drinking will ensure that one will suffer no serious complications. The problem with this is that there isn't just one set of "rules", every surgeon has their own technique, surgical finesse, different staff and rules for living with a band. Every patient is unique too. We come with our own special set of circumstances, lifestyle, unique physiology and baggage. There are just too many variable factors involved to say that we will be successful by following our doctors rules. I think that anyone who has a band and is successful AND complication free is very, very fortunate. I am truly happy for them. I know what losing 75% or more of excess weight can mean, I know the thrill of appetite suppression! being satisfied with 1/4 cup of food, fitting into smaller, more stylish clothes means. I know about having less joint pain, fitting in chairs, airplane seats and amusement park rides. I also know the pain, fear and anxiety of serious complications. My doctors were completely perplexed by my case. Fortunately for me, a very qualified esophageal specialist practices near me and knew what was up. He's treated and consulted on many cases like mine and is currently researching the effect of Lapband on the esophagus. Unfortunately, I have severe damage to my stomach, esophagus and it seems, to my heart that I cannot revise. I'm working hard to maintain WL and regain my health. I'm also encouraging everyone considering WLS to fully investigate and research possible complications. It is my mission to warn about complications that happen much more frequently and are much more serious than is admitted within this community. I won't cave in to those who call me silly, a fear mongering bully, exaggerator, or that I'm trying to scare newbies away. I'm none of that. I've seen both sides of this situation. I hope you never do.

My suggestion would be to go to the band to sleeve forum. Ask former bandsters their opinion. Also post on the pre surgery sleeve forum and ask for opinions of veteran sleevers. Many hospitals are dropping band as an option. It's not the routine aftercare, it's the potential liability of late term complications... I wish my ins had covered sleeves...

Esophageal dilation can happen by over eating, being too tight or by the lower esophageal sphincter being damaged from the pressure created when the band and esophagus both exert pressure (esophageal peristalsis exerts downward pressure, the band slows down food moving from the pouch to stomach, creating back pressure. With a damaged LES, it fails to open in response to swallowing. Food backs up in the esophagus, overstretching it. It doesn't take a lot of food to cause a great deal of harm. I developed pseudo achalasia with my band, meaning I had 0% functions of the esophageal muscles and severe and permanent dilation. In my case this occurred in only 7 months! Removal of my band and scar tissue resolved about 90% of my symptoms, but the same foods that most banded peeps avoid (pasta, rice, bread) are very difficult or impossible for me to eat. Having severe dilation/achalasia doesn't mean being on liquids forevere in all cases. Achalasia that occurs naturally is a completely different situation and incredibly rare. It's also progressive, worsening over several decades' eventually requiring tube feeding, removal of the stomach and or esophagus. Hope this answered your question.

The OP asked for the experience of those who have had their band removed. On the revision board, most have had removal/revision in one surgery. Life post band without revision has it's own challenges. Recovery from removal can be very quick and easy or much more complex. Not everyone who loses their band can revise. In the complications forum there is a thread called Life after Lapband Removal.... Might have been a more relevant resource to offer up. Since TMF has used silly to describe my posting content, it was just a friendly reminder that we can all be silly at times.

Medicare paid for my surgery, implanting and removing and all tests, diagnostics, fill, unfill, etc.

This thread has been educational, enlightening and entertaining....✌️

ElfiePoo, you're not alone. There are many of us who were compliant, followed the rules and were told the failure rate was something under 5% or so. Euphemisms such as difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, constipation and acid reflux minimized the possibility of serious conditions such as achalasia, gastroparesis and esophageal dilation. "Pouch packing" was often cited as the cause of esophageal dilation' directly blaming the failed bandster. The band itself can damage the lower esophageal sphincter, causing food to back up in the esophagus. When I read of random tightness, morning tightness, or a bandster feeling way too tight months after a fill, it's a red flag of this type of damage. I often am questioned as to my level of compliance when I had the band. I also read statements that only 5% of failure is not the fault of the bandster. I've yet to see supporting data for that statement. Your post might warn another person early enough to prevent post band side effects, like referred shoulder pain. Thank you for posting!!!

Sounds like you might be a bit tight. Another 24 hours on liquids might help, but please call your doctor if you aren't able to eat tomorrow.

Yes, I had my band removed several months ago. Port infections can originate at the band site and migrate along the tubing to the port. I had band complications that included achalasia like symptoms. I have no plans to revise on the advice of my esophageal specialist. Best of luck to you! _______________________________________________________________ 2muchfun: #2 I think you can find much support and info here: http://www.bariatric...eeve-revisions/ Like This Fat loss vs. muscle gained: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=PBJziqgrQgk You assumed the OP was interested in a revision, specifically sleeve. That's pretty silly.

I'm going to follow up with my GI specialist. He's the one that told me after my manometry results came in that a serious mistake had been made and referred me to the esophageal specialist. I need to know how this happened. I suspect it was during GB removal.

2muchfun, I didn't know until today when I got my surgical report...I'm astounded by this. My doctor was recently recognized as one of Seattles Best Doctors. My husband is absolutely livid!

Unbelievable!! Your very fortunate to have come out of this with your life. Since the band is supposed to be anchored to the stomach, it's hard to imagine how it would end up around your heart. I recd my surgery report today from my removal. My band was 3 cm above the lower esophageal junction, instead of being 2-3 cm below the junction. There were adhesions over and around it, indicating it had been there for some time. The removing surgeon noted that it appeared to have been there the entire time.

The site crashes mid post, too.

The tissue damage from removing the band and scar tissue is extensive and means I should avoid any elective surgeries in the area. When the band was removed, there was a band of scar tissue under it, creating a narrowing. The esophagus has irreversible damage and I still have achalasia. The cardiac symptoms were not present pre band, were relieved for several months after removal and are back. They may be a result of scar tissue in the area between the heart and esophagus. Hoping they are not permanent. I was under the continuous care of my bariatric team up until 2 months before removal. As I was referred to cardiac and GI teams, my pcp and bariatric team were sent test results. I was compliant with diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. I did not have a slip. I had a 10cc Lapband. The problem with bands is the pressure put on the lower esophageal junction. The band puts upward pressure, the esophageal muscles put downward pressure. This can cause band induced achalasia. This is the mechanism that causes esophageal dilation, not "pouch packing", while this is possible, it's not the cause according to my esophageal specialist, in most cases. You're correct, my intent isn't to scare, it's to provide information that could save another person. In the disclosure, "difficulty swallowing" is mentioned. This is not because you didn't chew, too big of bites or ate too fast...this is the first sign of damage to the LEJ. If the stated that the risk was achalasia, research would show a rare, progressive disease that results in the eventual removal of the esophagus. This changes the perception of risk. Thanks for your questions....

I can definitely relate. I inadvertently got pregnant 7 months after the surgery! I had such severe morning sickness - hyperemesis - I was in and out of the hospital, had the band totally unfilled. I took Zofran all 9 months. It was pure hell and even with the band empty it got too tight near the end of the pregnancy so I just threw up more. As for today, I am five years out and 5lbs heavier than when I got the stupid band to begin with! For the last year have been getting fluoro fills every 3-4 weeks. He could not get it filled right as it turns out I have borderline achalasia where my esophagus severely spasms. I would go home totally loose, and two days later I would be unable to swallow. He documented this for a year, had me get a motility study, and has declared the lap band a medical failure and wants me to get a revision to RNY - if I get the sleeve I will have the same reflux problems. The only reason I can get RNY is because the lower portion of my esophagus opens and closes correctly. If it didn't, I would not be a candidate at all. I don't think I can prove it but I think the achalasia was caused by the band. So now I am tentatively going through revision steps and trying to decide if I want to have such a major surgery. Anyway, sorry for everything you have gone through. I too wish the band would just disappear. It has been an absolute nightmare. Just to clarify: achalasia is defined as failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to open in response to swallowing. You may have esophageal dilation if the sphincter randomly fails....Rny is often used to treat achalasia. Perhaps removing your band, waiting 3-4 months then redoing the manometry might open up other options for you. Best of luck to you whatever you decide.

As someone who a) followed all the "rules" and still suffer with the permanent damage to my stomach, esophagus and heart, hearing people who have had no complications and still have their band responding to this post with statements that blame the patient is frustrating. Most people don't understand the bio mechanics of how the band can affect our digestive system or even how the band works to quiet appetite. This is true, even among non-bariatric medical professionals...I know, because my own providers have been nearly as frustrated as I in determining if my symptoms were band caused or not. When common sense was applied to the equation, a very qualified doctor asked me if I had any problems swallowing before banding. I answered that I had not...he shrugged his shoulders and said, let's get it out! 90% of my GI symptoms have resolved. I am dealing with cardiac problems that are due to the achalasia I developed while banded. My cardiologist and electrophysiologist are in agreement that it's pointless to do catheterization/ablation when the arrhythmia is caused by something outside the heart. The anxiety and stress the band and complications have caused is enormous. Also, good surgeons will remove as much scar tissue as possible. The only post band "restriction" I have is when food is stuck in my esophagus due to achalasia.