crystal525

I had my band removed at 4pm on a Monday and was back at work (desk job) on Wednesday. My surgeon refuses to do single surgery revisions due to the leak issues connected with scar tissue. He said since I'm a revision, he cleaned my scar tissue up completely and I have to wait 3 months for my revision so I can be totally healed. The worst part of the removal was that the port site was sore for a week. I had it out April 9 and even my scars are about healed. I'm just trying to not gain anymore weight (I have gained almost 30 pounds over the last year, the most being since my total unfill in December--I honestly think when the band doesn't work for you, it works against you...). I think my metabolism is finally getting back to normal. Good luck to you!

I too had a bad experience with my EGD sedation. They told me i'd be a little out of it so that I could swallow when they put the tube down, then they'd put me totally out. I felt exactly as you described above. I could tell what was going on around me but couldn't talk or react. I could hear my surroundings but in the distance. I could hear the doc tell the nurse she was just supposed to give me Adivan (sp?). Maybe I'm sensitive to that, I don't know, but I felt like I was dreaming very crazy things... I have no clue why??? But--I also had a prior bad experience with anesthesia during a knee procedure like 15 years ago...felt like I woke up during the procedure--not scared at all, just cold and they put me back out. Well--needless to say I am scared to death now whenever I have to be sedated. But--I think I finally got my answer when I had my band out about a month ago. I always make sure I tell the anesthesiologist my issues. I described what I remembered during the two instances. She believes the difference was local v. general anesthesia. The local is what they use when they want u up immediately (like with an EGD or colonoscopy) and apparently they used to use it a lot with lower body surgeries. They don't need to intubate with local. I'm happy to say i did not have ANY anesthesia issues with my band placement (2008) or removal 2 weeks ago and they were both general anesthesia. Hope this helps. Crystal

That always happened when I had United. Call them ... If the hospital was in network it should be covered.

Dr. Moazzez placed my band in November 2008. I really love him! He removed my band last Monday and I'm hoping to be sleeved sometime at the end of July or beginning of August. My 90 program is up on Jul 9! Anyone use Dr. M for a revision??? He has a great bedside manner and his office staff is awesome. Good luck everyone!

OMG...I love a good blog. I just started reading--HILARIOUS...my type of comedy. LOL. Thanks for looking out...

My band was placed in Nov 2008 and I got it out yesterday. I haven't talked to the surgeon yet, but my husband said he told him that there wasn't much damage/scar tissue which was a huge concern for me as well. I saw the nutritionist last week as my first appointment of the whole process ... again. They said even though it's like a revision, the insurance company still has the same requirements... At least it's only a 90 day process. This time I do have to have the sleep study even though I didn't have to last time for the band (the pulmonologist ruled me out during my clearance...). And I have to see the psych again to be cleared. I'm not happy with the additional expenses, but at least my surgery (if approved) should be covered at 100%. Good luck to you (and me!!!)!

I'm feeling pretty good after my band removal yesterday afternoon at 4pm. My doc told my hubby that the scarring/stomach was "not bad at all." So I'm hoping that moving forward with the sleeve should be seamless! I'm very worried about the higher leak rate with the conversion, but feel pretty good since the scar tissue wasn't bad. Also--my doc is sending my band away for pathology. I had been getting fevers (every six months or so...lasting for about 2 days at about 103) over the last 2 years. No explanation. The hospital referred me to a rheumatologist to check for auto immune diseases since unexplained fevers are an indicator. The rheumatologist couldn't find anything either. My band surgeon thinks it might be my body rejecting/fighting the band also. Who knows???!!! Just one more reason to get it out of me. Although I'm scared to death of life without it (even tho it's not helped me at all over the last year and a half--gained 30 pounds since last March). My 90 day program will be up on Jul 9...hoping to get sleeved over the summer. I work for a couple of very busy law partners and it'll depend on thier vacation schedules etc. I feel like I've been out alot this year (2 week vaction in March!!!) and now all these appointments to prepare for the sleeve. I have the leave and I have short term disability so I shouldn't feel guilty...but I do. Thanks for listening...sorry for rambling. Must be the drugs...

My doc likes to give the stomach 3 or 4 months to rest before doing the sleeve. I was hoping to get it done at one time, but now understand why some surgeons choose not to...higher leakage rates... Every doctor has their differences. Lots of people who don't do well with the band can still do well with the sleeve. My surgeon's personal opinion is that if you lost well with the band you should do well with the sleeve. He prefers to do the bypass for those who did not do well with the band and who still have a lot to lose. I lost nearly 80 pounds and only started to gain weight back when complications set in (reflux, dilation). I think the band will be a plus when it comes to how little you'll be able to eat after either procedure. I don't have a special eating plan...just gotta start doing 5 meals a day...which includes 2 Protein shakes. Keep me posted!

Diurex (I think they still sell this!).

is that the sleeve will be just like the band in 5 years... I had the band 4 years ago and no one was talking about it negatively. Now nearly all the info out there is negative. I can have my band out (and I am next Tuesday), but the sleeve is not reversible. I've decided to do it but I am worried about long-term issues. I don't want another WLS in 5 years. I want this to really work. Any long-termers have any input?

Added you! My band is coming out next Tuesday. My first appointment of my 90 day program is today. Hoping to be sleeved end of July! You look great. I was down to 178 with my band a year ago. Band too tight, dilated pouch, complete unfill in the last year...back up to 210 now. Ugh.

Thanks for the responses. I think with the band, in some people, your hunger is never satisfied fully so it's easy to start over eating later in the journey. I'm just hoping that when I get my band out next week I can keep some control .... ugh.

Thanks all! Kimmr--I looked at my specific company policy and my bariatric max is unlimited, so no issues with that. GivingItMyAll--I think I qualify under 2nd bullet also... Wheetsin--I got the impression that the insurance companies only considers it a revision if it's done in one surgery (because I'm having to do the 3 month program again before the sleeve is submitted for approval). I'm worried that my band will be removed and I won't qualify for the sleeve because of my BMI and no comorbidities... I'm going to see if the insurance person will just submit both right now without waiting for the 90 days...I'll copy this portion of my policy and email her. Just got a call to schedule my removal...more news soon as I hear something!

I'm getting my Upper GI in the morning. I'm making my dr. appt as soon as I'm done! I intend to get everything checked. Weighing my options to see if I'm keeping it or sleeving, no matter what.

I have it too...mine just started though (over 4 years since surgery)...I too had a hernia repair at surgery. ???

My pouch and esophogus are dilated. The doc immediately took out all my fill. Before, no matter how much of a fill, I could not eat any bread, no matter what. Now I can eat ANYTHING. I need to have another barium swallow and then the doc said if it fixed itself (90% do...but 1/2 recur...) we'd be re-filling VERY SLOWLY...I'm up 10 pounds since my unfill in December and am worried it won't correct itself (or hasn't). I get alot of gas in my stomach whenever I eat and severe left shoulder pain--no matter how much I eat. I've decided to start investigating revisions...Anyone else with the same issues?

I had an endoscopy a year ago and my esophagus was a little dilated then so I had a little fill removed. But...I think it just got worse and my pouch dilated too. My surgeon didn't think it was a slip...just the placement was off due to the pouch dilation. Who knows...??? Now, I'm just waiting to see how my upper GI goes on Wednesday (all my fill was taken out the first week of December and he told me to wait 6-8 weeks). I think if it hasn't resolved itself that there'll be some type of revision surgery (a fix or a new procedure). Even if it is fixed, it'll likely happen again and he already told me I'd be very slow refilling because of it. I have been "dieting" all January (first counting calories, now counting carbs) and I seem to be still gaining. It's worse after you've been banded trying to keep control. I am scared to death to be without my band (even though it's not quite working right now). I'm considering revising to a sleeve. My insurance seems to cover revisions due to dilations, slippage, etc. I'll keep you posted after my appointment on Wednesday. Keep me posted on you as well! Crystal

I'm in your shoes...totally unfilled at the beginning of December and up almost 20 pounds from my lowest weight last March. Everytime I get a fill, I have to get some out at my next visit. I'm considering revision to the Sleeve (which brings me over here), but I'm totally torn. I threw up more than I admitted, had massive heartburn and worried over every meal whether I'd tolerate it... lots of potatoes and Soups (which helped lead to my gain even before the unfill). I go Tuesday for a new upper GI to see if my dilated pouch/esophogus has fixed itself... It's very stressful. If I wanted to get cut I would have went with the bypass originally...now even with the sleeve...ugh. So stressful. Sorry I'm no help, but I thought you'd like to know you are not alone! Oh--I don't think you have to worry about the insurance thinking anything about getting a 2nd opinion...alot of them will give you a free initial evaluation anyway. You are just covering your bases. If you qualify for it, seeing a second dr. shouldn't disqualify the coverage. My 2 cents... Take care!

Wow--I could have written this (except for not having it again...I would do it again to get the weight off). I just had all my fill removed since I was too tight and now have dilated esophogus and pouch. My doc said I had to be miserable...I guess I just learned to live with the daily issues (it was my new normal...). I'm just beginning to check out the revision to sleeve ...I'm just not sure I want my stomach cut. I lost 80 pounds and have since put back on about 20...I know I need SOMETHING... I think when I was ABLE to eat my body just absorbed every single calorie because it was like "hey--I'm not starving anymore." I'll go research over at that forum. I'm afraid of not having my band... But I have this feeling that it's not correcting itself. I guess I will know when I have my upper GI in a couple weeks...

Hey DD, I'm right here with you--down about 79 +/- pounds from my first visit! I was the same weight in Feb. I was overfilled so I immediately gained 10 pounds back after an unfill and have only lost 10 pounds in the last 9 months. Totally my own fault. No exercise, not eating the right foods in the right order. Not drinking my water. I'm having a Upper Endoscopy and GI consult on Monday because of heart burn issues. I've been also having gall bladder like symptoms, but the CT Scan and Sonogram have not shown any stones or other issues. My band doctor is concerned because I've had two episodes where I have had fevers and he wants to rule out any band related problems. Ugh... I love my band and need to get to treating it right. It's like being in a long term relationship and taking it for granted. While I hope it all turns out okay and that I don't have a slip or a stretched pouch, I need to get back to the basics. So--this being the hardest time of the year, I hope to make better choices. The first choice being EXERCISE. Good luck to you all!

I'm in Mechanicsville too! Maybe we can all post here and keep each other accountable. I've not lost any substantial weight in a while! I need to get my exercise back on track and eat better.

I'd like to join. I went back to running yesterday for the first time in months! I just cannot seem to get back into this exercise thing. I've been working alot of OT lately, but have to remember to get my ME time in! So....10 pounds is my goal. That's 1 pound per week (that would be fabulous since I've been fluctuating between 173-179 for months now!!!). I've got 35 pounds to go to be at the weight my doc said would be ideal for me so...let's go and good luck!

I just logged on today (for the first time in a very long time) too! I have done well, but not without bumps along the way. I got discouraged all the time in the beginning, but overall I am happy with where I am now. I am in a size 10 and +/- 175 lbs. The doc says I have 30 pounds to go to get to where "the table" says I should be, which is ahead of the band schedule (the band schedule says most bandsters lose 60% of their excess weight in 3 years...). I go thru my periods of not exercising and not eating right (quite often actually). Those are the times where I don't lose (I've been known to gain a couple pounds over the periods between dr. visits also). Will power is still a huge part of this for me. Right now I've been eating out way too much and not making the right choices...but I digress... The biggest key for me has been to ALWAYS see my doctor. I went monthly the first year and this year I go every other month. I've had 2 unfills the last 6 months for being over-filled and developing heartburn and other issues. I'm at 7.1 cc's since my last .1 unfill in September and I think I'm comfortable here. I eat more than normal, but if I eat the right stuff I can still lose. If I don't eat the right stuff I can and will gain. jms462001--The best part of having the band is that you can make adjustments. Physically and mentally. It took me a year to lose the first 30 pounds and realize it wasn't going to just fall off. Starting in October/November of last year I started the C25K (a running program for couch potatoes). I did this for like 8-9 weeks before joining and going to the gym. Let me tell you--the weight started falling off. I discovered if I am exercising I can lose and not have to be so strict with my food intake. I don't count anything anymore--which could be why I don't lose regularly--but this is a forever way of life change, not a diet, and I am happy with not having to watch everything I put in my mouth. That's why I chose the band over other available WL options. I'll be honest in the fact that I went into this thinking it would be a quick fix...no matter what everyone said here (and believe me, I did my research/reading)--still, in the back of my mind I thought I would be one of the lucky ones that didn't have to work so hard. Well that was not the case. Step back, reassess, get another fill, and start over. Come here often for support -- that's why I'm back. You can do this. I'm trying to get back in the grove to get in a single digit size....an 8. But I gotta do the work and get my head back in the game. We can both do it together!!! Crystal

You said right side in your initial post so I was thinking gallbladder too. I had similar "odd" pains on my left along with nausea when I was hungry or full. My doc told me that sometimes the only symptom of reflux is nausea. A prescription acid reducer helped me. But I had the sonogram of my gallbladder too--mine showed no stones. I go back Friday and will let you know if the doc says anything else.