vapetlover

Thanks for your reply. It's good to get feedback here and good to know what might happen. It sounds like my sugar addiction will come to a stop. I had hoped that the band would do it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all will go well. Thanks again and bravo to you on your journey. You are half way!

Mary

I started a new topic b/c I did see any that fit my situation. I would like to hear from someone my age who has had a band failure and then had a VSG. What is your experience. If you think my question should be under a different topic, please let me know that, too. Thanks.

Mary

I am scheduled to have the VSG in January 2015. It is a revision and removal of the band, port, etc. I didn't plan this; my band slipped and because Dr. S had to put me under to remove the band, I figured I might as well go for it. My husband had a VSG in 2011 and was very successful, losing about 100 lbs. He went from a 54" waist to a 40". I might sound very blasé about having the VSG, but I'm looking for help in losing the remaining 80 lbs. that the band left. From everything I've read, it looks like a good choice. Only time will tell; so I will post an update after the procedure. If anyone has had experience with a failed band and then had VSG surgery, I would love to hear from you. Thanks.

Mary

I had the lap band surgery in 2010, but recently it slipped. Dr. says it has to come out. I decided to have him do the sleeve at the time he removes the band. Are there things I need to know or ask about BEFORE I proceed? Has the change from band to sleeve been easy? Are there things you wish you had known before? Advice?

If you are not happy with the job the surgeon did, by all means, call another gastroenterologist and ask if they do revisions. I was reluctant to go back to my original Dr. b/c I had gained some weight back, but so far, I'm glad I did. If you do change, be sure to request that the original dr's office send copies of your file to your new dr.

Well, at least now you know where you stand. I think I would fight the insurance company on that, since the removal and (re)placement of the band was due to a condition that IS covered. My dr. removed the last cc. of saline and all the reflux went away! What a relief. I had an upper GI on Friday, and haven't got the results yet. They sure took a lot of pictures, tho.....standing lying down, etc. I hope to get some results tomorrow.

^{Glad you found the problem and have resolved the issue. My husband had the vertical sleeve about a year after I got my lapband. He is doing very well and has lost over 100 lbs.}

^{I will see the WL surgeon and tell him my suspicions; I'm sure he will order an upper GI. We'll see what happens. I just know I'm ready for this to be over; just to be able to sleep through the night again would be great.}

Thanks for responding. I googled my symptoms and found a condition that fits exactly: Achalasia

Here is the def I found which matches my symptoms exactly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achalasia

Even more interesting, I had an MRI last week concerning stenosis in my cervical spine (neck), and the radiologist mentioned that there was Fluid at the bottom of my esophagus. This condition is mentioned in the wiki pedia site. I plan to go back to my surgeon asap and he will probably do an upper GI and/or barium swallow. Frankly,I'm a little more than concerned with what your dx was: cancer. I have successfully had some urinary bladder "polyps" removed which were caught very early.

Well, seems we are on the same train here. First of all, I'm so sorry you are having such a difficult time. Same symptoms as I have had! I can hardly get the taste of bile out of my mouth! Yuck! I've been taking an antacid (liquid), Tums, baking soda. Slept in the recliner last night. Can't even lay back down w/o reflux; and coughing and wheezing. I'm going to call the GastroEnt and make an appointment. As you say, I've had it!

Your story could be mine! I have taken Nexium for 6 plus years. It has always done the job. My band was put in March 2010. I has worked, as far as limiting the volume of food I can eat. Unfortunately, I am still addicted to sugar, and you can eat enough of that to gain. So, I gradually gained back about 25 lbs. My starting weight was 255 (down from 270 pre op). My lowest weight after surgery was 205. About 3-4 months ago, I started experiencing reflux, esp. at night. Then, I couldn't keep food down. Doc did the barium swallow and couldn't get it to flow until all but 1 cc was removed. He said to come back if I continued to have distress. That was 2 months ago; I haven't been back yet. I have somewhat lost confidence in him, but I'm afraid to go to someone else. Begrudgingly I will make another appointment next week.

Sometimes I can eat with no problems. Other times, reflux rears its ugly head! My GP gave me some stronger reflux meds. We'll see. My hubby had the vertical sleeve and hasn't had any problems. I wanted that, but our insurance didn't approve at the time I had mine.

Like you, I am puzzled as to what to do. I have been waking up coughing (irritated esoph by reflux) and have to move to the recliner to sleep. I will be interested in how you progress. Please keep us informed here.

Thanks.