Jill 1821

I had a band placed in 2011. Worst medical decision I ever made. I caused major problems ... Acid reflux, night coughing, and more. In the last three or so years I had horrible doubling over pain at least 3-5 days a week. After a gastro did an EGD on me he found gastritis and esophagitis to where my pouch opening to the stomach was nearly closed due to inflammation. He referred to to a Bariatric surgeon suggesting a revision the the sleeve. I ended up having an emergency revision to gastric bypass. I did not choose the LB removal only because of weight regain. My surgeon said that the sleeve would make my GERD worse so I chose the RNY. No More GERD! No More Pain either! I feel great! During the surgery he found my stomach high in my chest due to a hiatal hernia caused by the band. He also did repairs to the esophagus (was in an S shape). Also my port was nearly detached. My new bariatric surgeon’s Center for Bariatric Excellence no longer places Lapband... but does a lot of removals and revisions due to serious so many complications.

I think the sleeve is far superior to the band. I was have major issues with the band and aspirating at night.

I lost a lot of weight but have gained some back due to injuries and not focusing on my diet.

i easily drop the weight once committed and am eating right again. I fluctuate up and down about 20lbs.

The band for me was the worst thing, and did more harm than good.

i do have some reflux issues that I control naturally (ACV).

I've now had my surgery and I was told it was quite a mess inside. My stomach was in a huge reservoir that had to be repaired, lots of scar tissue to clean up, a hiatal hernia to repair due to the months of night coughing I did, on top of the band replacement and repositioning I had to have. On the mend and lost all the weight I'd gained, about 10 lbs, from my doc opening my old band. Now it's onward to hopefully lose the last 10 lbs I never got off.

Glad your on the mend.
I opted to convert to a sleeve. To ME the band has not lived up to its promises.

I am having this issue now but I haven’t had a fill for a month. I feel like this is unusual

Hi! Sorry to hear about the erosion..Scares me cuz I am 12 years out...right now my band is unfilled since Sept 19th due to esophogeal dilation.I am hoping it will heal so I can get some fill back but realized I was just living with too tight of a band for too long. My fault. But since having my complete unfill, I have gained about 15-18lbs..most of that was first two weeks. It has been super frustrating because I have been ultra careful with my calories now..not eating fatty foods and really counting calories..started back at gym but STILL gaining...I just put on 4lbs overnight after three days at a conference where I tracked 30K steps in one day..18K another day..eating very healthy while there..and no..not monthly period Water gain. Soooo depressed! Had to go buy a few clothing items in bigger size already cuz I have been wearing same size for years..everytihng is now too small!! I think our metabolism is not normal. This does not seem possible to gain this much weight in short time, especially when I am making an effort..at least MAINTAIN..but gain? I think we have been in a long term starvation mode and when I was unfilled and able to eat more easily, my body decided to take advantage of that and hold on to everything it can! I would not complain if I was eating crap and not excercising..just praying I heal up and can get refilled a little to help..this is just horrible! I hope you heal up and get whatever surgery works best for you.

Hi! I am in your exact position. I had my band in May 2010, and lost a whopping 47 kilograms. I felt fantastic. Then my band turned evil. I struggled for 18 months and my surgeon could not find a fault with it, but I vomited after every meal, reflux, Fluid in fluid out it was terrible. And I gained weight, because the only things I could eat were cheese and crackers, and milky drinks! It came to a head in May this year, when I had to go to the Emergency department, as I couldn't swallow anything, including Water. I had a major slippage. Before I went in for surgery, I was told if it was a slip, they could fix it. I wanted the band out, and I wanted a sleeve.
I am booked for a sleeve in November (the surgeon wanted 4 months of healing between, but I am travelling for a month in October, so I will have surgery the day after I come home).
My issue now is, I am terrified that I will put on weight! I have gain about 5 kg since having the band out, and boy do I feel it! I have joined weight watchers, and I have been diligent, but I have still gained! I exercise - I walk for at least 30mins daily in my lunch break, and weekends I cycle for 1-2 hours.
Frustrated and scared!

I have recently been diagnosed with an erosion after 10 years. I am scheduled for band removal on 7/31. In the meantime all the Fluid was removed from my band and I have no restriction what so ever. In the past month I have gained almost 15lbs and I do not know what to do. I know it is mainly due to volume but it is impossible to eat the same amount I was eating when the band was functioning. I want to either have another band put in or convert to the sleeve. My doctor says I need to wait 6 months before she will do this. I am at my wits end. I do not know what to do. I cannot gain all my weight back. I kept it off for 10 years and can't go back to the way I was while I wait. I have been on a no carb diet for the past 3 weeks. Does any one have any suggestion on how to slow the gain? Any diets that will work.

see that these are older posts, but can anyone update? I had surgery 2 yrs ago and have started having AR the last few monthes. Not really throwing up but having it wake me several hrs each night and having to sit up and coughing for 2 hrs to get it out of my lungs. I am not too tight ( don't think). I'm eating a lot and even working really hard on maintaining. gaining a few pounds is easy. (that;s why I don't think it is too tight) I was actually contimplating having another small fill. I haven't had one in 9 monthes. Anyone have ideas as to what to do?

Sorry for your struggles w/your band - Maybe surgeon not the actual band was your problem.. Hope you get well soon
I'm 4 yrs out and no issues - little heart burn now and then - nothing a tums doesn't take care of - lost 114 lbs and have maintain that loss for 3 yrs now. But the band didn't lose the weight - I did - it's only a tool and you have to maintain that tool and follow the rules for it to work.
If you don't want complications ck your surgeon - follow the rules - that being said - sometime crap happens..