Baba Wawa

I'm considering revision from band to sleeve. Please let me know if the more difficult recovery is worth it. Thanks!

I had mine in December. It was pretty easy, the used propofol for mine.

Sorry, didn't mean to quote Terry. Yes, 4 people said no. Two had really serious complications, one was a month post op and missing her food addiction, one lost her marriage. The one factor in VSG that scares me is the types of peri postoperative complications; leaks, infection, etc, are higher than banding (1-2% vs .5%), but the long term complications are greater with the band. Since close to 100 people took the survey, the #s are pretty representative of the stats. The recovery from sleeve is longer and more difficult, requiring more time off from work. It's a dicey situation, but being in my place, would you wish you had just done the one other available restrictive surgery in the first place? I'm no spring chicken and I'm dealing with some pretty massive issues right now...20 months out of 35. It's unlikely I can revise because of the band damage...there are cases where it would have been better to deal with a 1-2% complication rate early on and then go on with your life, rather than spending precious time, resources and suffering trying to figure out what is wrong and then more time, resources and suffering treating it. Like I asked, just curious as to your point. Its important to read all the posts on both sides of this and for those deciding on WLS to make a fully informed consent. Thanks for posting this

I'm wondering if the flu you had contributed to the slip http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/163447-stomach-bug-is-no-fun/ Hope the surgery goes well!

I don't understand the point of your post. Here's the survey from this site: Knowing what you know now about weight loss surgery, would you do it again if you had the chance to make your decision again? Yes, without a doubt! The surgery has been everything I’d hoped for. (23 votes [51.11%]) Yes, probably. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I’m losing weight and feel that this was my best option. (12 votes [26.67%]) Yes, but I would have chosen a different type of weight loss surgery. (6 votes [13.33%]) No. I’ve had complications and my health has suffered and/or I haven’t been hitting my weight loss goals. (1 votes [2.22%]) I haven’t had the surgery yet, but I’m looking at the results of this poll carefully to help me make my decision! (0 votes [0.00%]) Other...read my response below! (3 votes [6.67%]) Here's the post from VST: Knowing what you know now about weight loss surgery, would you do it again if you had the chance to make your decision again? Yes, without a doubt! The surgery has been everything I’d hoped for. (80 votes [62.99%]) Yes, probably. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I’m losing weight and feel that this was my best option. (27 votes [21.26%]) Yes, but I would have chosen a different type of weight loss surgery. (4 votes [3.15%]) No. I’ve had complications and my health has suffered and/or I haven’t been hitting my weight loss goals. (4 votes [3.15%]) I haven’t had the surgery yet, but I’m looking at the results of this poll carefully to help me make my decision! (10 votes [7.87%]) Other...read my response below! (2 votes [1.57%])

Such a terrible tragedy! I hope they find the parties responsible ASAP! Prayers and hugs to all the victims.

Lose 100, the criticism is telling me that my approach is wrong or I need to title my posts so people will know which forum they're reading, silly stuff like that. I respect everyone's experience, good, bad or otherwise. Anyone who is finding their banded life to be what they expected and aren't having problems, I applaud you. My brother is one of those, banded 4 years this month and down from 325 to 185. He has no issues at all. We both followed the rules...I have problems, he doesn't. I'm thrilled for him and the rest of my fellow bandsters that are doing well. I just want to save someone else the pain, anxiety and permanent damage I have. Recognizing danger signs early is essential.

Yesterday I posted some links with helpful information for those seeking revision published by a very well respected revision surgeon along with his comments about Lapband. So often we who have complications are told its our fault, the band doesn't fail, you overrate, ate too fast, didn't chew enough, ate the wrong foods, didn't call the doctor soon enough, etc. Dr Kesheshian's opinion of the band gives those who have complications some relief that the band can fail, cause lifelong complications and its not our fault. This forum should be a safe place to discuss complications, free of criticism, judgement and bullying. If you are having no complications, by all means, read the posts, but please abstain from telling anyone they shouldn't post negative threads. I'm in need of some support too. I'm also trying to help others like me reach out for help with their band troubles. They're not going to do that if every time someone posts on here, everyone joins in, attempting to discredit them. Right now, I'm scared, anxious and trying everything possible to keep my band. I don't want to lose the tool that helped me lose 90 lb, but I also cannot in good conscience recommend it to someone investigating WLS. My story isn't unique. Motility issues are more and more common in long term band patients. Most of the people I know who encouraged me to get my band have had complications and have had their bands removed/revised. It's scary when it happens to you, especially when you didn't cause the problems by noncompliance. I hope none of you ever experiences this misery...

Congrats Terry!

Call your doctor today. Whether it is sleep apnea or reflux, it is dangerous. Keep us posted.

There is going to be a major rethinking of the concept of banding. In Germany, they're no longer doing bands and doing some extensive studies on those who have or have had bands to determine if its a viable option for WLS moving forward.

If our band isn't too tight, food can get "packed" in there by eating too fast, for sure. For about 15 months I was fine, only stuck once when we were on vacation and I tried to eat tuna w/o mayo. :-/ What I'm speaking of is the reported "self-tightening" or "fickle" band. Yes, you might get a sign that it's time to stop, or maybe not. My band would seem to be fine, no unpleasant feeling, meal seemed to go down fine. A half hour later, boom, up it would come. It was as if someone squeezed a bulb syringe. I found out it was spasms. My warning is really meant for those who start to have heartburn or reflux that had "resolved" with banding. It's a very early sign of damage to the LES and if dealt with ASAP, further damage can be avoided, It's important to note that my situation deteriorated after a complete unfill. Prior to that, the band had actually tightened (15 months after my last fill) to the point that barium would only drip thru the stoma. I have a feeling that when I have the band removed, there will be a lot of scar tissue under the band.

That looks like retained food. I've been doing this for a while and coughed up grey pieces of old food...nasty. Get your band checked out ASAP.

Yes, this site has a lot of people who like to dwell on the delivery style, rather than reading the actual information, lol. I've not encountered this elsewhere. I guess if you're not in the situation of needing to have your band removed, in constant distress (physical and emotional) it doesn't seem relevant. If you have the misfortune to be in need of the info, it makes a lot of sense. It's like the difference between empathy and sympathy. You can feel empathy for someone if you have experienced what is causing them distress or pain. If not, and you're a kind person, you can sympathize with them.

Almost 3 years and my band is coming out due to complications.

We all have to keep an open mind about "medical breakthroughs". Most fizzle, don't work out and do damage in the process. I sort of feel like a lab rat right now. As long as this device is available, it will sell. It SEEMS like a less invasive option, but after all the problems and tests, I feel pretty invaded right now. I've had worse tests, but not many, and I've had a lot. The manometry was like swallowing a zipper :-p

Frederic, you have quite a way with words . I don't care if someone reads my posts and disagrees or thinks they're negative re bands, that's fine. It's the atmosphere of hostility on this site that is appalling to me. We're adults. We should be able to read posts that we may not agree with (read the entire post, links, etc) and not lose our minds about it, not become rude or hostile or tell the OP they should have worded it differently or clarified which forum they posted. I've been polite. I've tried to share knowledge and experience. I've been attacked, vilified and stalked. I've remained polite. I'm only posting negative band experience on the complications forum and truly being supportive of those who have bands, have chosen to get bands and will only advise against it when the OP is asking openly for help deciding between band and sleeve. So what's the problem? The way I see it, it's that minds have been poisoned against me and there's not much I can do about it. I've tried. I've been Dx with a terrible disorder that my band has caused. For those who think banding wont involve re-routing of the digestive system, think again. I could lose my entire esophagus.

So sorry you're having this! it should be a happy time for you, retiring, looking forward to your new home. Your story is way too familiar to mine. Unfortunately, my reflux didn't come on suddenly, but with just chest and epigastric pain during the night, coming on suddenly and radiating up to the left shoulder, arm, neck and jaw. It only lasted for a minute or so and subsided with a sip of water and changing position. The severe reflux showed up after emptying the band, so keep alert if the symptoms don't subside, post unfill. Sometimes our kids troubles are harder to bear than our own...hang in there. I hope your unfill gives you relief!

This doesn't look to be surgery related hair loss, which occurs pretty evenly throughout the scalp area. You might consider talking to your dermatologist about it. Hair loss that starts at the crown like that is usually pattern baldness and occurs in females as well as males.

I wouldn't count calories, per se. Follow your band food plan, let the calories take care if themselves. 1/2 cup meal, including 3-4 oz dense, lean protein, the rest low carb veggies. You can snack on string cheese, NF Greek yogurt ranch and raw veggies. I would count protein grams (60-80 per day) and avoid white carbs and processed food. You will lose doing this. Hang in there...I've lost with my band 100% empty for 10 months.

Carolina Girl, don't worry about what your granddaughte remembers...you need to keep doing this for YOU. Role models aren't about how we look, but more about how we behave, in which case, you are 5*****

Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the 'someday I'll' philosophy.” Denis Waitley I've often asked myself "What is it you're afraid of?" This is a scary question, because once asked, there is an implied responsibility to change something in our lives. Identifying what scares us can be difficult. One tool my counselor gave me was that after every response, I was to ask myself "Why" until I got to the point I had identified the root cause. In business we called this "drilling down" and it can truly be gut wrenching and painful. An example of a root cause analysis might go like this: *Why can't I lose weight? I eat more calories than I expend. Why? I'm always hungry. Why? I don't even think about how I feel. Why? I feel uncomfortable and want to eat when I think about how I feel. Why? I don't know how to change. Why? I haven't learned how to change the way I eat. Why? I'm afraid I will fail. Root cause: fear of learning how to eat properly and take personal responsibility for success or failure. This "personal responsibilty" issue is a big one. Many of us have been victims of abuse, neglect, crimes, etc. When we continue to live in the "victim suit", we give our abuser our power. We do this because we haven't faced the reality that someone we trusted and loved hurt us. Facing that reality can be more painful than living as a victim, or so we think. When we face the facts and hold our abuser responsible, there is a big shift in power and responsibility. We take ownership of our actions, feelings and well being and we give the guilt and responsibility for the abuse back where it belongs, with the person who hurt us. Sitting in a chair and telling a therapist that your mother didn't protect you from a predatory male in your family can be one of the most painful truths to acknowledge. The person who was responsible for nurturing, protecting, putting you ahead of herself, did not. I know, I've done it, it hurt like hell. Once we acknowledge our truth, whatever it is, we take back the power to change our lives. We first work on the thoughts, the negative self-talk. Practice telling yourself that you are worth it, you are powerful, you will change one thing at a time. Maybe, this week, you give up one carb loaded treat you think you enjoy (I say think, because often we don't really enjoy them...it's a habit, not a pleasure). Next is the action step: Just do it! Throw it away if you have it in the house, then buy something healthy to eat as a substitute. Maybe you're the type of person who does it cold turkey...rid the house of ALL processed foods and beverages. Think of the power you take in doing this! Imagine yourself eating healthy nutritious foods and taking control of your own life. Action steps are the key in this process. WE CANNOT CHANGE ANYTHING WITHOUT A VERB. I think I can turns into I will when we add the action step. My band journey, though not as long-lived as I would have liked, has been this type of process. I WANTED to lose weight, but I took no ACTION that would result in me losing weight. When I went on Medicare Disability, the opportunity to make this change became available and I jumped on it. I started calling different hospitals and WLS clinics to see if they accepted Medicare...that was a tough one. Finally, a really kind person at the University Hospital directed me to another local hospital who she knew took medicare for lapband or RNY. When I called to make an appointment, they got me in within a week. I took action. I took the power. I took personal responsibilty for my success. I wouldn't say my weight loss journey was easy...it's had it challenges. My band was the perfect tool for me, keeping me free of hunger for 4-6 hours after a very small meal. Even empty, I'm rarely hungry. Losing my band and not being able to revise is extremely scary...I need to ask myself WHY. Here we go again....