JamieNP

Well, I ended up in the ER. The surgeon on call did not want to touch it, and neither did the ER doc. The following day, a surgeon was able to access my tricky port after about 20 sticks. Looks like the port has flipped some and will have to be replaced. Also, it may be that the band has formed a capsule around it, causing it to be tight. Now I have no restriction and have no sense of fullness. Ugh..This thing is coming out!

Going to look into converting to the sleeve, as this yo-yo weight gain/loss is killing me!

I am going to have to get my lab band removed or revised. I am going to choose removed, as they are no longer performing the procedures around here and no one wants to mess with it if I have problems, which I have had tons. I have had mine for almost 10 years and was down to 115lbs. I have since gained 50lbs. While my insurance will pay for the removal, they may not pay for a revision to a sleeve. I have IU health plans for an insurance, and I can add my husbands insurance, which is ANthem premium, if needed. Does anyone know what the rough cost is for a revision to sleeve? What about just the sleeve portion? Anyone had any luck with IU health plans on appeal, as I am sure it will have to be appealed. I feel like I have worked so hard and put up with so much in the past ten years.

I have had my band for quite a while and have had issues in the past couple of years with it being too tight or not tight enough. Was even hospitalized with dehydration due to inflammation after taking NSAIDs for an injury. My port is extremely hard to access.

So in the past year I have not been in the “sweet spot”. Not a lot of restriction, but not feeling like an empty pit where I am hungry all of the time. I felt it was better to just leave it alone.

In the past 5 days I have had a sinus infection and my band is extremely tight. I am hardly able to get any liquids down. I have tried hot coffee and it came back up. I am now drinking soda, which, btw, I have not consumed in almost 10 years. I am thinking that may break up the “clog”, and I may try vinegar.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions? I am using carafate to coat the stomach in between. I don’t want another trip to the ER and the office is closed today.

The best thing to do is to call your insurance company and ask them

I will after the holiday weekend. We will likely have to do some good documentation. I was just curious if anyone else had success. ( I realize that there are different variants that will impact each person's outcome, i.e., type of insurance, comorbidities, state that they live in, etc)

Hi there,

Im having my revision this Tuesday after having my band for over 7 years. My weight loss has been substantial and in fact, I am probably below weight now (I even see that I look too thin). I had a slip about 6 months after having it put in, but I have never really coped with the band and think I am one of those people that will vomit no matter how little Fluid is in the band.

I have had another slip and can't keep food down at all. I had the rest of my Fluid out last Friday and now can keep liquids down. I couldn't even tell you when the band slipped again - most likely years ago and I just lived with the reflux and vomiting. Its better than being fat isn't it??!

Now though, I have lost too much weight and feel terribly lethargic and not myself at all. I just want to recondition and be strong again. I don't however, want to be fat. So, what to do?

I have booked in for the bypass in a few months but really concerned about stacking on too much weight once the band is gone. I eat a liquid diet now anyway e.g. smoothies, Soups etc but I have been using butter and cream to try to keep weight on. I know that I will need to change my diet pre bypass.

I am now a fit person and I have exercised daily and love it, for about 5 years. I wonder if this in combination with doing the post bypass diet will be enough to keep my weight under control and the bypass would be unnecessary?

Its a pretty confronting and scary time - I only found out a few days ago that I was to lose the band, so still getting my head around it and RESEARCHING!

Not long until your surgery - they are doing both procedures at once on the 15th?

Cheers

Donna

Did your insurance cover this with a lower BMI?

HI all!

Got my Lapband in 2008 and was doing well..was down to 120 lbs. After an injury and some NSAID use, I had started having problems with irritations and the band being too tight, then no restriction when the Fluid was removed. Have gained 60 lbs and now having some of my pre band issues return, such as hypertension and sleep apnea. Have talked to my surgeon about the possibility of getting the band replaced or converted to sleeve, which would be my choice since they are phasing out the Lapband. Has anyone had this done, and if so, did your insurance pay for it? Was your BMI less than 30? Thanks in advance.

Maybe this should be under the "What is the rudest thing someone said" post, but her goes.

I got my lapband 8 years ago and was at around 120 lbs (way below my goal weight for my 5'7 height). This was due to a special diet I had to be on. I looked way too thin and just plain sick. So, I had some Fluid taken out of my band and gained some weight, up to 140 lbs, which is probably a healthy weight for me. A physician that I work with came up to me and whispered "have you gained weight?". I explained that I was way to skinny and needed to. He said "you are getting chunky". What the ^&*$ !!! I tried to laugh it off, but it really messed with me. I know I am healthier, but darn if now I am concerned about my weight! Arghhhhhhhhhhh!

Just wondering if I should be worried about my port showing a bump under my skin (or being noticeable at all)

So far I dont see it at all' date=' but I can very easily feel it under my skin. Like it feels really close to showing

Anyone have any experiences?

How easily can you guys feel your ports?[/quote']

I am down below my goal weight ( I weigh 123 lbs) and I cannot see my port. It bothers ne sometimes, depending on what I wear...feels like my belts rub up against it when I sit.

I have heard some horrible things, but now that I am BELOW my goal weight, I can just smile at them as they talk about the diets they are on and how much weight THEY need to lose. One of the hardest things is Loving yourself!

Debbie, I, too, did not have the support of my husband. One of the things he told me before I had surgery was "Look at you, why would I take you out in public?". Then when I had lost about 40 lbs post op, he said "you still have a long way to go". Well, I divorced him and now I am below my goal weight. I hope he eats his heart out.

Anyone out there??? I gained and fell off the wagon. My drug of choice' date=' CEREAL. I was embarrassed to go back to my surgeon because the insurance fought for two years to pay for my last fill, after the approved it. My regular GP talked me into going back.

Well, things changed, they do fills in the office now and have a nutritionist. I talked to her forever. I walked in crying and depressed and left a new person. No judging. I just got a fill and have the restriction again. What a wonderful feeling.

I have lost almost 20 pounds -- again! I am taking it 10 pounds at a time.

So if anyone is out there, how are you doing?[/quote']

Great! It's good to continue to follow up each year with your doc and even go to support group meetings. I have interstitial cystitis and was put on a strict diet. I had been at my goal weight but started losing more weight. I called the Dietician and together we came up with idead for nutritious foods that I can tolerate. Good luck to you!

I've had really good luck with the suggestions in a book called

"the better bladder book" It's written by an RN who had IC. she suggests different herbs that helped her . I am taking them' date=' and they have really helped.[/quote']

I just downloaded that book. I've stuck to the IC diet, and am eating mostly organic foods. I had to talk to my dietician to help me find food ideas, as I am so limited already. It is very challenging! I was at my goal weight, and have since lost 8 lbs more.

Did you have an EGD before your surgery, and did it show gastritis or anything else?

I have it anytime I eat chocolate before I go to bed.

I did the refried Beans, and ground chile in the blender..but the gas after surgery was very painful...GasX comes in a disolvable tab, and comes in handy.

Way to go! What an inspiration to everyone!

Get you mind set that "I worked hard to get this surgery, and I am gonna stick with it". There are many things you can blend. At the mushy stage, I was craving flavor, so I ate a lot of spicy stuff. Hang in there. You won't have great restriction yet, but it will get better once you get a fill.

Good Luck!

I have IC. Was diagnosed a few years, but I feel like I am having frequent flares for the past year. I also have pelvic floor dysfunction, which goes hand in hand. Physical therapy has helped. I recently had botox injections in my pelvic floor, and the FDA has now approved botox for the bladder. If you think the lapband diet is restrictive, add the IC diet to it! I feel like I can't eat anything!

This is a chronic condition. Usually you have "frequent UTIs" that don't grow any bacteria. I have had these for 25 years.

So sorry you have this...it sucks!!!

Thanks!

I had a long list like yours with similar questions.

Some others were. How many incicdents of MRSA have you had?

How many band slippages have you had and what was the cause.

What do you think causes people to "fail" at the lapband. (he says "icecream/milshakes)

Can I have an MRI (yes)

Can I ever have an NG tube placed?

What are the signs and symptoms that I need to go to the ER or into the office?

Do you snore? Since your husband has made remarks about it, you probably have it. I got diagnosed so it was one of my comorbidities. I was on cpap. I no longer have it since I have lost the weight.

I was right on the line also. As soon as you get the approval, start your diet Remember, a liter of Water weighs 2.2 lbs.

It will have the name and size of your lapband. At buffets you will get the kids price

I was in your shoes 4 years ago!. Take pictures, keep a diary. Your life will change so much!. Get excited and motivated and remember this feeling! You never want feel like this again! When you get your band, go ALL OUT! Exercise, take your Vitamins and stick with the diet. You will be happy with the results. Then next year at your cook out, everyone will be telling you how great you look!

Things you need to know post op:

Make sure you understand your diet. Take it slowly. You want to heal well both inside and out.

What exercise can you do? (of course walking will be one).

How do you get in touch with him after hours if you have a problem (like get stuck)

Make sure you have a "lap band" card. It will get you discounts at eating establishments. Also, if you go out of town it will have your band information on it just in case of an emergency.

Can you swallow pills, or does he recommend you crush them?

Depending on how far out you are, you may get a small fill now, but don't push it. I know it's exciting, but it takes awhile for your body and mind to get used to the restriction.

Your scar will heal. Mine looked HORRIBLE, and now you can hardly see it.