Search the Community
Showing results for 'revision'.
Found 17,501 results
-
Yikes--has this psychiatrist had any prior experience with bariatric surgery clearances? I guess it would also matter quite a bit exactly what the two sentence write-up said, but in any case, that's no way to evaluate someone's emotional/mental preparation for major surgery. I'd say you definitely need a second opinion--the last thing you want is this doctor revising the writeup and adding something worse, or not improving their first effort at all!
-
Trying to talk husband out of the band
marfar7 replied to skinnyphotog's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I truly think that the lapband was a fad, like Phen-Fen in the 90's. I was banded 4 yrs ago and subsequently lost 104 lbs. Last year, because of frequent vomiting (a side effect on ALOT of banders), my band slipped. They totally unfilled it and I gained 30 lbs back. I loved my band and I hated to see it have complications. Last week, when I saw my surgeon the day before surgery, he said the exact same thing. That the band was a fad. He still does them, but doesn't promote them anymore. More than 50% of his patients have some kind of complication - including never losing 1 lb. Thats alot of complications! When he did my sleeve revision last Tues (the 16th), it took him 30 minutes to dig my band out of my stomach. It had embedded and was stuck inside. So now I'm still in considerable amount of post op pain. If I knew then what I know now, I would've never been banded. It's hard to tell someone something tho when all they see is weightloss. Good luck! -
I agree with you, Keona. I have had the same problem over the last year. I had a revision in October of 2011. I am at 5cc and my surgeon is reluctant to increase as I have trouble with a tighter band. I, also, have gained, but he isn't too worried as he felt I was too thin for my age. he just wants me to control my snacking! I am trying, but it is not easy. At least, I have leveled out. Best wishes to you, I hope that you gain back your restriction. i have restriction, but not as much as before. Karen
-
Has your Gerd/Reflux cleared up? I had revision surgery in May and still have Gerd and am still on my PPI !!!
-
Trying to talk husband out of the band
Kami63 replied to skinnyphotog's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
My quality of life is already so much better and I am 4 weeks out from my revision today. I NEVER felt full with the band. I feel full now on 3 to 4 oz of soft solids. I have two more weeks until full solids but I hear when you get to full solids you can eat less. I have not thrown up once. I was constantly throwing up with the band. Aside from my portions and my surgeons restrictions, I feel normal for the first time in 6 years. Life with the band was hell. I am so happy that I have done this. I want to loose weight and I will but if I didn't even lose another pound, my life is soo much better without that THING. All that being said, he will have to make the decision for himself. You can help him with research and facts but if he chooses the band, you will have to still support him. Good or bad. I would not have survived the band without the support of my husband. Now he supports me with my sleeve and even told me that I seem so much happier now that I am feeling better and the band is forever gone! -
I wanted to say good luck. My time line is different since I was a revision so I didn't have to go thru everything. I had my surgery in 6/18 out of south San Fran kaiser. On 4/29 my dr and I said it was time for revision he gave me 3 days in June and I picked the 18 th and I was in.
-
6+ Years With Band (Yuck) Now To Vsg Revision
M2G replied to VSG 4 Me's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Best of luck to you in your new journey! I have to partially credit this site with my decision to get the VSG (originally I was thinking band) but thanks to my husband (a VSGer as well, he pushed me to research all options) and a couple of real-life people I have met, I knew that the band wasn't right for us and went ahead with the VSG. I'm now 16+ months post-op and my hubby is 1 year post-op and we have lost about 170lbs between the both of us and I can truthfully say that I haven't had any regrets. For us it was the best thing we could have ever done for ourselves. I'm sorry your band has given you so many issues. You will find lots of posters here who have had revisions and they all say that the sleeve does what the band "promised" to do (but failed!) Good luck with everything! -
I had a pretty similar situation. First slip in Jan of this year after 2 years of being banded. Complete unfill, waited nearly four months to start filling, went slow and cautious, and then had another slip within two months. Band was removed a week ago, and like christiemr, I am having to wait about 4 months to revise to the sleeve due to the damage caused by the band. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to my surgeon (and this is just one opinion), slips very rarely truly fix themselves by unfilling, and once you have a slip, it's likely to occur again. Again, this is just one opinion, but it was true in my case and the case of many others I know. I hope your outcome is much better!
-
Adhesions to spleen and band removal
NH-Pam replied to pennreporter's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Trisha, Wow I can't believe that. I believe that we were banded around the same time. I'll be heading into surgery for a revision from a slip on Nov. 18th. You bet I'll be questioning the spleen before I go in. I'm about 20pounds from my goal and told my husband that I'll have the revision this time but if it slips again, I'll just have it removed. I think we've made enough changes in our lifestyle so the weight wont come back on. (I hope) Im praying that the revision works! Let us know how the second opinion goes. Pam -
Has anyone had a problem with loose skin post-op?
Tiffykins replied to MELLAELLA's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have loose skin on my arms, breast, tummy, and inner thighs. My arms, and tummy are still really flabby, and I'm trying to resolve that issue now. You can work out, lift weights and tone as you lose weight to help some. I couldn't work out for 4 months so I was late getting started. Plus, I skipped the entire month of December. I just started back today, and will go to the gym for 3 days of strength training/weight lifting, and 1 day of cardio. On Wednesday, I go bowling so I skip Wednesday. I want to get back into my Hip Hop Abs routine for core/ab workout. Crunches just aren't doing it for me. I also dropped 113-114lbs in 6 months so I lost pretty fast with my revision. My cellulite doesn't look any worse than it did when I was fat. I know that now that I am toning up at the gym that the skin will bounce back to some degree. I'll probably be riddled with stretch marks, but I'll keep them instead of the fat rolls. -
I recently went in for a band revision. In my mind that's what was happening. Worst that could happen was that they would have to replace the band. Wake up from anesthesia and hear the nurses talking about the band being removed. Well, needless to say, I was devastated. Seems I had developed significant adhesions to my spleen. Nowhere in the literature or even on here have I seen that as among the more common risks. But while he was in there, he didn't see anythng wrong with the band that would be causing all my slippage problems, he just went ahead and removed it. This from a surgeon who is not a great believver in the band to begin with. While I was still dopey from drugs he's talking to me that this isn't necessarily the end of the world. They could always do a bypass later or if he could get insurance to approve it, a sleeve. I was still in tears emotionally from the roller coaster and drugs. He absolutely is adamant that the stomach adhesing to the spleen could not have possibly cause the band to not function properly. But something clearly was causing the slips. I go for a second opinion in a few weeks and maybe can get more questions answered. After seeing what they do with the sleeve, I'm not willing to take the risk. If a band surgery will cause enough adhesions to have to have 100 mini staples in my stomach, what are the risks of them removing half your stomach and a gazillion more staples. Financially I will be paying for this for the next two years. I wasn't at goal yet...I'm abuot 25 lbs out but maintenance was always my issue. I had hoped that this would be the answer to maintain. So for 10k+ I've got a whole lot of staples and a pretty messed up looking abdomen. Would love to know if anyone else has ever had their spleen adhese to the stomach. Trisha
-
Have any of you CA Kaiser members out there had your bands done in Mexico/by other US doctors and had Kaiser do your fills or revisions? I have Kaiser (NorCal). I might have to get a port revision but since I'm self-pay with the band I may not be able to afford more money for this second surgery with my private doctor. I'm so worried I won't be able to get this fixed. I've only had the band for 6 mo. and 2 fills.
-
Possible leakage...advice please
freedom0702 replied to bobbiezhere's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
The first surgery I had to pay a $150 co-pay to the hospital. I don't remember what I paid the doctor. The second one had a $175 co-pay, my co-pay increased January '09. The dr never sent me a bill (which is good since I wouldn't have paid him anything anyway since it was their fault). He did get paid from my insurance though. Also, because I had a revision, I get another year of fills at no cost. Normally, because the 12 months was up, I would have to pay a co-pay of $15 for each fill. -
Husband alrealdy jealous.......
Tiffykins replied to slebme's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My husband was deployed during my revision, and during the first 4 months of my journey. I dropped 80lbs during that 4 months, and YES, he was more jealous and possessive when he first came home. He stuck to me like glue. One day we were out shopping, a higher ranking guy, walked up to me, politely (not flirty) said 'hi there, how are you?' I replied back with 'fine thank you and yourself'. My husband was a few feet away, and he marched over, slid his arm around my waist and kissed my forehead. The guy walked off, I looked up to my husband and said " you need to quit hiking your leg on my thigh ". I nipped it in the bud quickly. I don't tolerate other people's insecurities to drown me. I told him that he just needed to accept that men are going to find me attractive just like they did when I was fat. He just didn't believe that other men hit on me back then. John's been home since October 1, and he's finally figured it out that I'm not going to leave him. We talked through a lot of stuff. Communication is vital, and pure honesty. I have found that since losing weight I'm slightly less tolerant of b.s. I didn't tolerate, or let people walk all over me just bc I was fat. It's only gotten worse since I don't have the fat to hide behind. My husband was definitely worried when I got below his own weight (170). But, he's loosened up quite a bit. Our marriage is actually stronger because of my surgery. I'm more active, more open sexually, more intimate, more loving, more confident (I was pretty confident pre-op it just got better post-WLS), I have more energy to go and do things. We eat better meals, our sex life is well pretty phenomenal, we're closer emotionally because this journey is definitely emotional. If no one has warned you, the hormone flux post-op can be pretty horrific. I swear I had horrible PMS, crankiness, irritable, almost irrational mood swings during the weight loss. So, don't be surprised if you find yourself crying one minute then laughing the next. Or, if you are super moody, and upset, it's pretty normal, most of us go through it. I think talking about everything is way better than arguing about the little things. If your marriage is strong, and y'all can communicate openly, you should be able to work through the many different emotions and thoughts that will come during your WLS journey. -
I have had the same problem since my band revision 2 years ago. Just hang in there. Right now, until you reach green you will feel like you are on a diet, again! Best wishes.
-
By the way, I wouldn't make any decisions about revising your band until you're totally done with babies and I would give it at least 6 mos if not more. My doc had thought about putting the larger band in. That might be another option...
-
The band or gastric bypass - so confused
Nanook replied to britt3400's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Go to www.obesityhelp.com. I used that site a lot when I was revising to my RNY. They cover all surgeries there and can be very helpful. Good luck with your decision, Nancy. -
So, I get a call 2 weeks ago from Park Nicollet Clinics Bariatric clinic. The lady tells me they are in a partnership with the state of MN, a local paper and local tv channel for an ad campaign starting in October to endorse getting healthy. They wanted to do a write up on some of the success stories for lap band in the Twin Cities. She then tells me my name was the first to come up as one of their "Star" patients and would make a good story. They ask me if I would be willing to do a phone interview with a reporter or two for about an hour and maybe have my pic taken for an article or two. Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather. While I know I have been doing very well with the lb and my exercise, it's nice to hear your doctors office giving out respect as well. Of course, I agreed to it. I want to educate as many people as possible. Marketing person calls me back to verify that I am good to go and sets up appt. for interview. I was on the phone for almost an hour discussing everything that I have accomplished so far. Even did some history on me to give everyone an idea of what I went through before and after. I even put a plug in for LBT, hope it gets in the article as this place has been a HUGE resource for me. I'll see the article beforehand and will get a chance to make some revisions if needed. If LBT does not get in, I will make sure to put it in. Once the article comes out, I'll post it in the Magazine section. Just thought I would share this as I am looking forward to seeing some positive media attention given to the LB instead of all the negative stuff that gets said. More on this later.
-
Just got my new second band, but still thinking positive. New surgeon much more experienced than first surgeon. So I'm back on the liquids again, whoo-hoo. First band was June of '09. Totally unfilled in June of '10 because of multiple slips. Gradually filled again almost to complete capacity with no restriction until it was completely blocked again. Went in for revision in November '10 when surgeon found that my stomach had adhesed to my spleen...yippee. So now I have a hundred little titanium staples, and my band was removed to prevent any infection from a foreign body. His suggestion immediately was the sleeve. Went for second opinion to a much more experienced surgeon. My original surgeon had done four...thank you very much...but lots of bypasses. New surgeon even recommended the sleeve because of complications but at the same time was pretty confident that problems very well could have been from inexperience of first surgeon...of course, he didn't come out and say that in direct quotes...gawd forbid they speak ill of another doctor...Insurance approved either band or sleeve again...I was shocked. Over the course of June to November I had gained 40 lbs, but so much of my weight loss had been from vomiting all the time. So I signed on for the sleeve until the last minute when surgeon popped his head in the door before anesthesia hit me with the Michael Jackson happy juice and doubled checked which way I wanted to go, band or sleeve...so I opted for the sleeve again. My main concern with the sleeve is that I don't have that much more weight to goal...50 lbs and everyone I know that's had it has lost weight very very quickly and a lot. Wasn't sure about the maintenance. So Im a bandee again but it's gone so much differently than the first time around. They did x-rays before I left the hospital and a swallow test...didn't happen first time until much later. Came home last Thursday and just a little sore at this point, no pain meds since I've been back home. So I have a great feeling this time around plus I plan to be a much better bandee this time. I threw up so much the last time that ice cream was my go-to food and not sure if I always ate as slowly as I should have but having been through it once, I feel like I know the signs to look for that aren't normal. New surgeon is an hour closer so easier to get in if I need to quickly. So it's been a journey!!! My daughter is a bandee, of course, without any complications...I never like her anyway...lol Trisha
-
Hi Trisha! I read you post and can completely relate. I also just found out I had a slip that can not be fixed without surgery. I am in a lot of pain and have been scheduled to have it fixed on the 22nd. I hope I can last that long. I had thought about having it revised to the sleeve but I am not sure if my insurance will even cover that. I have an appointment with the surgeon today so I guess I will find out. I wish you the best of luck and hope we can keep in touch. Trisha (also my name;)
-
Big questions from a Big Guy (dontcha hate bein called that?)
onikenbai replied to RJay3's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
If you are looking to lose that much weight, you might want to consider a sleeve or bypass over the band. Yes, many are doing awesomely with their bands and losing lots, but just as many, if not more, are getting ok-ish to not great results. From all the people I've met in my support group, the band people are consistently the least successful. People are arguing that bypass and sleevers are putting weight back on years later, but that means they haven't actually dealt with their food issues properly. Band patients are just as likely to fall of the wagon and gain it back. You can go get your band tightened more, but there's a point where you can't eat at all, and if you have to go there, you're probably doing more harm than good. I've had my band for two years now and I'm in the process of getting it out. I've had constant restriction problems in that I either have zero restriction or I cannot eat at all, and it's preventing me from eating quality foods like chicken, fish and a good number of veggies. Ironic eh? I paid 18K for my band, so I really wanted to make it work, but after two solid years of Soup and oatmeal, it's got to come out. The pattern I've been seeing is that the band seems to be really good for people who want to lose 50-80lbs. Of course there are people who've lost more than that, but there are always outliers in any statistics. I'm not anti-band at all; I just think it's being marketed out of its effective zone. Keep in mind that a sleeve could always be revised to a DS later on if you find your weight creeps up uncontrollably after surgery, and a band can be put on over a bypass, and I sleeve too I'd imagine. Trust me, I understand you can afford only one surgery... I'm right there with you. I've basically bankrupted myself paying for by band. The only reason I've been able to consider a revision is that I'm Canadian, and sleeves and RNYs are covered here. Band is not. Most of all, talk it over with a doctor who has absolutely zero financial gain in whatever surgery you choose. Clinics for individual weight loss surgeries are selling you a product... of course they're going to tell you whatever surgery they're selling will be appropriate for you! -
In January of 2007 I got my band...in July of 2009 I got a new port and tubing...In July of 2010 I'm scheduled to have a revision, replacement, reposition surgery. They aren't quit sure how or what they are going to do to me yet...won't know till they go and look around. To explain my story...my port and tubing was replaced because it wasn't sealing anymore after they would fill it, so shortly after a fill it would all leak out. Now the reason why I slipped...I was over filled in January and have never been right since. Lots of nausea, reflux is becoming a wonderful new symptom...and I'm experiencing pain and discomfort...I can't wait till the 30th, that is when I'm going into the hospital.
-
Endoscope revealed no restriction with Realize Lap Band
sharon2u replied to AnnieMae's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I just had this done on Monday just the standard Upper GI with the barium. I am fine and so is the band. I requested to have this done becuase I seen a new Dr. not the one that did my band. Several months after my last fill I developed night reflux and coughing. So I went to see the new Dr. this is what he told me and mind you I did not yet have the barium test at that time. He told me that my band was too tight. He told me that I ahd a Mega Esophagus (dialited)he also told me that my esophagus is going to burst and that I could die it that happened. He also told me that my original surgeon would have to do my operation (revision) well scared me he did..so much that I was afraid to eat thinking that my esophagus could burst. How can a Dr. tell you all of that without even running the test to begin with (x-ray vision) I guess. Well he did take 1 cc out of my band. He also told me that I had a fill of 7 ccs in my band but in my medcial records from my original Dr. it stated that I had 5 1/4 ccs then on the date of the unfill as I call it he said I ahd 6 1/2 ccs well comone now which is t Dr.? I will not give any names to protect myself here but I really feel that this man has no right being a Bariatric Surgeon if he is only going to guess and assume that there is a problem when there is none at all. I had my Upper GI and well low and behold everything is fine. The contrast went right down, the esophagus is that of normal size. I ahd a wonderful conversation with the radiogogist that did the test and I have had so many that I can tell if something is not right and even he said he could not see a problem with the band or much less anything else. sorry to be so long winded here but it makes me very mad when someone cannot get the job done right. -
whoa that's expensive! More common in australia is between 3,000 and 4,000 as a private patient with minimal wait. You just have to fit onto the surgeon's list, which might be a month or so, but 1 year? I'd go see another surgeon. That fee generally means that all your aftercare (and any revision surgery) will be totally free to you as it will be bulk billed.
-
Post op sleeve compared to post op lap band
melissa808 replied to wright616's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
The removal of the band is definitely the harder part of the surgery. Where they remove the port and the scar tissue around it is where you will feel some pain afterword. I have had the band, a band revision, band removal and sleeve and the removal was the most difficult. But just rest and know it will get better. Good luck!
