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I had my band for 4 years after having issues and problems( toxic silicone syndrome) my doctor suggested I remove it and revise to gastric sleeve. The day of surgery I backed out on the sleeve because it's irreversible and I was afraid I would have the same symptoms of the band. I removed the band 3 weeks ago and can't eat much I have been in liquids and mostly protein diet. I keep getting stuck with regular food. I lost around 13 pounds. But I have been so depressed and been having panic attacks with anxiety attacks. Don't know why this is happening it just comes on uncontrollably. My body is reacting so weird. Had this happened to anyone? If so, please give me insight will it go away or what's causing this?

can i ask why you’re getting a revision? I felt no restriction with the sleeve, only lost about 20 pounds and then gained it back. I also developed GERD

Thanks MimiLou for your special answer to my question. I have done my homework and I know the difference between the Gastric-Bypass and the Lap-Band procedures. I want to lose 130 pounds and I did not know if I could lose that much with the Lap-Band procedure. I think I will be able to now.

Hi, I am trying to decide which procedure I want to have. I don't know if I need a Lap-Band or a Gastric-Bypass, can anyone give me some help? Thanks.

Hello out there! I am expecting to get banded this summer. Has anyone gone through Dr. Dent in Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) for the recomendation to Dr. Graber in Utica (New York, USA)? Also, Dr. Dent is recommending the RNY bypass, but I would really prefer the Lap Band from all I've read. It seems a little less invasive and leaves you with a slightly more normal lifestyle. (From what I understand bypass, never any caffiene or alcohol, but with lap band a glass of wine occasionally is ok and coffee is tolerable for many). Any comments would be appreciated!

Thank @@KristenLe this is what I thought. I was just reading through my husbands full gastric bypass and he only had to do 3 days!!'lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey there. I was banded nov 3rd of last year and yes I have had complications but I am hoping that everything is worth it in the end. You are the only one who knows if it is the right thing to do for you. Unfortunately, it is not as cut and dry as we'd like it to be. My process has been slow but I do know other people that have had no complications what so ever and yes lap banding is SOOOOO much safer as opposed to gastric bypass. The thing that sold me on lap band is that fact that I am only 24 and want to have kids someday and w/ the band since it is adjustable my dr can remove saline from it so that myself and the baby are getting all the nutrients we need and then after the baby the band can be filled. The down fall w/ the band is you are going to be spending a lot of time at the drs. Every 6-8 weeks i have to go back in for a fill or to see where I am at. This is only for the first year though and then I make the call as to when I need a fill. I don't know if this has helped at all but let me know if you have ?'s I'll help the best I can. Good luck in whatever decision you make.

I am almost 2 years out and I have had the pb's and other irritations, but lately it hurts when I eat. I cook meat so long that it falls apart, but it still hurts. I chew until the food is mush, but still have trouble getting it to go through the hole. I'm afraid I have an esophageal ulcer or something is wrong with my band. If I have an ulcer, could it be because the band is too tight? I have 4.5 cc in the 11 cc band, but my friend who had the same size says there should never be more than 7.5 cc in this type of band. Her fill doc put 16 cc in an 11 cc band and it nearly killed her. She gave up and got gastric bypass. Is it possible that if food gets stuck in the esophagus, esophageal ulcers can result? I had a some esophageal ulcers before I got the band despite taking reflux pills for years. They cleared up quickly with treatment. I would like to go to my regular doctor since I had the band done in Mexico and have to drive 100 miles to see the nurse practitioner. What do you all think I should do?

I am a 64 year old from Texas who just had a Gastric Bypass a week ago Friday. I am doing super. The surgery wasn't all that hard on me and I am looking forward to the weight loss!

Below is an edited version from 3 weeks ago when I was conceivably talking about getting a bypass with the medical group. Now the Doctor Thinks a Sleeve Would be Better Then a Bypass. With battling weight most of my life 10 years ago I got a lap band put in. I am now 57 years old, 15 years ago I was diagnosed with type two diabetes At the time my Lap Band was put in my weight was 230 pounds. That might not sound like a lot of weight but for a male 5’8 it was a lot for me. In addition to having type two diabetes I have also had two neck surgeries and three back surgeries over the years. The Lap Band gave me significant weight loss. I got down from 230 to 160-165. I also lowered my Metformin from 1000 mg to 500 mg. I lost approximately 70 pounds of weight and maintained this weight for about nine years. To say that it was an easy road for me would be lying, I was constantly having the band loosened tightened loose and tightened like being on a roller coaster. I had problems with the Lap Band being so tight that I was having major acid reflux problems. In addition to that I had some small ulcers around my esophagus next to my Lap Band. Last year I decided I had enough of this and had a lot of Fluid taken out of my band. The major acid reflex went away immediately however, I still have some ongoing small minor heartburn and a small cough because the Lap Band is still in place but a lot of the fluid has been taken out. Because of that removal of fluid I have gained back for the first time in 10 years 35 pounds. Now I am back up to taking the same amount of diabetic medicine Metformin 1000 mg because of the 35 pound weight gain. The bariatric center in Los Angeles is now recommending that I conceivably switch to a Sleeve. This decision is not completely final yet and the acid reflex problems I’ve had for so many years which only really developed soon after getting the Lap Band 10 years ago. As in all surgeries there are risk concerns for changing the body anatomy, any advice or opinions from anyone that has been down this same kind of road would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time and concern. Hopefully one day I can help someone else.

hi im new here any1 can give some experiences they had with there surgery:thumbup:

I had my revision on June 17th. Spent one night in the hospital and am now home. The pain was worse than my band but the PCA pump helped a lot. Differentiating between gas and pain has been interesting. I haven't started with the gas-X but am seriously considering it. I was told to get in at least 64oz a day. That has been really challenging. I'm not hungry or thirsty so it becomes hard to remember to sip all the time. I will update as I progress but I will say BYE BYE Band I hated you and I am glad to no longer have you be a part of my life ????

My first suggestion would be to google gastric bypass versus lap-band. I just did and there are a ton of articles comparing the two without having to rehash here. Then I would suggest scanning both kinds of forums like this and read about real life stories of people who have both. The down and dirty difference is: Gastric bypass gives faster results but the complication rate is higher and there is more of a chance of nutritional deficiencies. Lap band is slower weight loss but much less in the way of complications and you are able to get your nutrients better. Hope this helps and good luck with whichever method you decide on.

I mentioned before that Lexie, my only friend I've told about me getting bariatric surgery, told me that she heard the "sleeve" was better than the "band." My gastroenterologist said the same thing and wanted me to look into it and talk to the surgeon about the sleeve option. I mentioned it to the counselor today and she briefly said that she sees very few Gastric Bypass patients any more as most patients are choosing the band or the sleeve. She said it's been 50/50 on band vs. sleeve patients. She admitted that there's been more WL issues with the band patients (slower loss, not any loss, and band failure) in HER practice but she was quick to state that it doesn't mean that it isn't good and won't work. She simply said that in her practice there that the sleeved patients lose weight faster and have fewer WL issues apparently. She agreed with my gastro's advice in speaking with the surgeon and deciding what would be best for me. She told me to research both, have pros and cons, and analyze the options. Then have a list of questions for the surgeon when meeting with him. I planned to do that any way and I didn't get the feeling she was pushing sleeve. I think she was being very honest with me about her experience with both sets of patients which I appreciate. Here's my initial PRO/CON list for Sleeve and Band... (after I research more, I'll likely update and/or change and fix my list!) SLEEVE Pros: 1. One surgery, no "fills" (so I won't need to tote my toddler with me in for regular fills.) 2. Decrease in "ghrelin" hormone that induces hunger due to stomach portion removal 3. Faster weight loss (more immediate results) 4. No "bandster hell" 5. Much higher success rate associated with this procedure. 6. My friend and one of my dr's recommended this procedure and thought it might be the better option for me. Cons: 1. No way to fix or reverse at all 2. Staples may pop, cause leaking, or fail 3. No long term data including effects on pregnancies 4. There is still a possibility/likelihood that the sleeve will stretch out and may need revision later. 5. Hernias apparently more common with this procedure lately. 6. I haven't researched the dietary guidelines post op so I have no idea what the longterm eating management includes. (Maybe I'll research that next and do a post on the differences of that.) BAND Pros: 1. Reversible/removable 2. No removal of anything 3. Necessary dr appt followup (with fills) will cause constant analyzing of program/plan and communication with surgeon 4. As I need it, I can go in and get it adjusted tighter to meet my needs. 5. Two doctors recommended this procedure over sleeve or GB for me due to my medical history. Cons: 1. Possibility of infection of band OR port 2. Regular followup and fill appointments 3. Bandster Hell and the months it will take to get to Sweet Spot. 4. Possibility of necessary revision to sleeve or whatever..(have read several posts online of 3 and 4 year post banders going in for gastric bypass, sleeve, etc.) 5. May not solve my hunger issue. 6. Have heard from more than one person that as they got closer to goal- their port site or actual port became more visible- yikes! 7. Over fills.. this sort of worries me. I don't want to get overzealous and get over filled and then have to race back in to get unfilled and then wait weeks to get filled again. 8. The waiting between fills. I understand why it is set up that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it. This is just my preliminary thoughts on both. I'm not an expert, I haven't decided yet, and I don't even know if the surgeon will think I'm a candidate for the sleeve. I'm starting to consider it as an option though. I've got some research to do.

Hi everyone! Question for you. Let me preface this by saying I have contacted my dr. office and will follow up accordingly. I'm 1 month post op from band to GP revision. Two mornings ago I stretched in a weird way, and felt a popping or tearing under my left ribcage. It hurt and it's still sore. I called my doctors office in a panic and she said "how do you feel"? Hahaa! I actually feel fine. No fever or nausea. I'm eating just fine, still getting in my fluids in but it's just sore like I've been working out. She said it was probably scar tissue but watch for hemorrhaging in my bm's. (Yah that will be in 3 days! Sorry.. Lol) Just wondering if anyone has had something similar. Thanks!

I had my band surgery in Sept 2003. So far based on what my doctor told me it has helped me to not gain major weight. But I have only lost 45lbs at my largest weight loss. I currently weight 302 and recently went back to working a desk-job where I have started to gain weight back. I am bipolar and have mood swings that I know effect my weight loss plan. I am on meds but they can not be the fix all. I really don't have a support mechanism. My wife..or ex-wife left me a few years ago when she had the bypass. Her personality/weight changed and she said she was fed up with me and left. I'm single now obviously but just lack the motivation and do not know how to start this up again and regain focus on what I need to do. My surgeon said I should maybe look into the Gastric Sleeve..but that just plain scares me. I know most of what I am saying here is just me venting. I'm wondering if someone else has gone thorugh or is going through this? Thanks for listening. Kevin

Hi all. I am scheduled for lap band surgery on May 21st. I have Aetna and it is covered by insurance. Apparently fills aren't but the dr's office said they have ways of getting around that. My question is- I'm looking for a new job this summer and I'm concerned about getting new health coverage and not be covered in case of a band slip, revision, complications or future fills. Any advice? Thanks in advance...

you are doing great. I was banded 9-28-09, had my first fill 1 month out and have had fills every month since. I am at 9 cc's in a 10 cc band and still haven't hit that "sweet spot" everyone talks about. I've lost 16 lbs so far so you are doing much better than I am at your weight loss. It is slow and from researching you should lose 1-2 lbs a week so I think you are on track. I just didn't take my band seriously and thought that the weight would just start falling off like it does with gastric bypass patients but it doesn't. Just hang in there and if you are getting hungry soon after you eat, you need a fill. I go about 3-4 hours in between meals. I eat 3 meals a day with 1 extra protein shake as a snack. Good luck to you. Robertsgal68@yahoo.com

I have heard from more than one person (they both, incidentally, had gastric bypass, rather than lapband) that when they hit a plateau on the scale, they have found they are losing inches - even though the scale is steady. Good luck on your journey...

If you suffer from acid reflux then bypass is the best option. I know this because when I originally was going to have surgery I wanted the sleeve and was preparing for the sleeve but when I met with my gastric doctor he told me to have the bypass because of GERDS. I listened and I've had great success and even though I got Reactive Hypoglycemia which only 2% of gastric bypass patients get it I would do it all over again in minute. Reactive Hypoglycemia is different then regular Hypoglycemia and is really a very low risk of getting it. Good luck in your decision and best to you on your journey to a healthier you. P.S. I hope I haven't scared you with what I disclosed to you and if it worries you discuss it with your surgeon or nutritionist.

Hey Crishell! My 2 year anniversary is Jan 11th. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I am about 8 lbs from my initial goal of 180 and am in my initial goal size of a 12 after my high of 330 lbs and a size 28. I had a tummy tuck in October and am feeling pretty good, although I definately got off track over the holidays! I've revised my goal for the new year and am now trying to get to 165 and a size 10 by July when I hope to have a thigh lift and finish my lower body lift. I'm 5'11, so at that point I will be on maintenance. I can't say enough good things about my band, and hope all my Jan'07 friends feel the same! ~Lori

Does your surgeons office do bypass as well? I know there is an issue with bypasser's wherein they get 'strictures' and need to be stretched out, however I have never heard of anything like this with bands. Let us know what you find out... Patricia

I'm going in for my surgery in 24 mins!!! I'm excited and nervous and just ready. It's a mini gastric bypass and not the roux n y. But being a newish (1997) procedure there aren't as many people doing this one. I have a headache and didn't sleep well but soon I will be asleep and when I wake up i will be on my new adventure. Sent from my SM-A520W using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Evelyn thanks for responding. My email is chesscott245@gmail.com and I am happy to have someone to go through this with. How are you doing with sticking to your diet? I have not been doing so good but I keep trying. I am guessing that my surgery will be at the end of August because it is in the final stages of review by the surgeon now. My insurance will take about 3 days to approve it and I will be on my way. I went through all of this 2 years ago when I was going to have the gastric bypass. I was already pre-admitted into the hospital and 2 days away from surgery when I backed out. I have the same insurance and the same bariatric surgeon so I am sure everything will be the same. I feel so much more comfortable with choosing the lap band although I know this journey will be tough in the beginning. On another note, I have been able to accomplish getting 60+ grams of protein in everyday and 64 ounces of fluid. Ok, so I got some protein shake mix from Walmart...(not the red/black ones) but another brand...I will email you later with the name. Anyway, I went on Amazon and ordered this amazing protein shake cookbook from Bariatric Foodie and it is great. I usually make the creamsickle shake in the morning or a raspberry mocha frappachino. I make the raspberry mocha frappachino by mixing 8oz plain lowfat soy milk, 1 Tbs. sugar free raspberry syrup, 2oz Decaf coffee and 1 scoop of Chocolate flavored protein mix....OMG its soooo good. Anyway, sorry for talking you ear off :-)

The only place I know of in the Cleveland area that does lap/bypass is St. Vincent Charity. I know several gals who have had the bypass there with Dr. Ben-Meir and state they would never go elsewhere. I live in Lorain county and again have not heard of a program at the clinic. Good luck and if you do find one, please let me know, Thanks. Lizzy