Just wanting other peoples opinions in my situation. I had my lap-band put in back in November of 07' I have lost over 100 pounds with it, and was doing really well until it slipped. Had all fluid removed in Nov. Of 08' then had more fills only to have it slip even worse. I have no fluid in my band whatsoever.. yet I still vomit almost daily. somedays i have trouble with even liquids. My esophagus is in such pain.. it has spasms.. i don't know from day to day if I will even be able to eat.. it's a misrable way to live. I am scheduled for removal on Feb. 22 and my doctor is trying deperately to talk me into gastric bypass. I don't want to have it done, I feel that it is just to drastic of a procedure for me when I only a few pounds to loose and no serious medical issues. I feel in my heart I am not the same person I was two years ago.. this has been such a crazy journey with no regrets. I know I run the risk of gaining weight when the band is removed.. but I know I have the will power to do it on my own... there is NO WAY i will ever let myself get fat again. I have had a taste of this life and I will never go back to my old ways.. I don't even miss them.. However I would love to be able to eat a big fat salad! Is there anyone else out there in this situation?? I am so torn!

wish i could help -:thumbup: I am looking at the possibility of having my bands replaced after only 15 weeks - i cant imagine having to take it out...

for me though i think i would go bipass if they said i couldnt have the band - but thats just me

My opinion is that since you only have a little bit more to loose I wouldn't do the bypass. You have learned skills that will carry you through. You are right by saying it is a drastic procedure. Best of luck to you! Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Just an idea, but I have decided that if for any reason I cannot keep my band I will go with a sleeve. Still less invasive than the bypass, but a tool I will have for a long time to help my support in maintaining my new health.

Can you just get another band and ask the surgeon to make sure it is stiched in place very well? I know my surgeon wraps part of the lower stomach over the band and puts at least 8 stitches in to prevent slipping. Were they doing that when they first placed your band?

Whatever you decide to do, find a different surgeon to do it.

If he put the band in right the first and second times it probably would not have slipped.

Who was the surgeon? Please, please, please don't say Dr. Kim in Colleyville.

Can you just get another band and ask the surgeon to make sure it is stiched in place very well? I know my surgeon wraps part of the lower stomach over the band and puts at least 8 stitches in to prevent slipping. Were they doing that when they first placed your band?

My surgeon does this stitching too. I also agree that if I had to have my band removed, I'd go with the sleeve before the bypass! I don't want anyone to reroute my intestines, as I want control of my intake and absorption...

I would definitely NOT get gastric bypass...The good lord above is a master plumber...and you DON'T reroute the plumbing. I honestly would see how it goes for a year or so to see if you can keep everything you have done going forward...I think I would wait!! Good luck on whatever you do.

I have thought about the sleeve.. my insurance doesn't cover it, and I just don't have the money to pay for it myself. I am not sure about the stitching and such.. but I did discuss just having another band put in. My Dr. says this slip is so bad.. that a new band would probably just do the same. I don't know if I belive that theory... I like my surgeon.. it's Dr. Barker btw.. all I know is the pain I go through daily is not worth it.. in reality I am just afraid I will have just as many problems with the bypass.

Hi Hotdog,

I'd do a bypass if I had to have my band removed. I know I would not be able to keep the weight off. I have never been able to in the past, and I doubt I could do it now.

I am curious though, will your insurance cover the revision to bypass while removing the band?

Thanks!

I would probably not do anything, but if I did I would not go for the gastric bypass, I would do the gastric sleeve. The gastric bypass is such a drastic procedure, and you don't have that much weight to lose anyway. I wish you luck on your decison, keep us posted.

Hi Hotdog,

I'd do a bypass if I had to have my band removed. I know I would not be able to keep the weight off. I have never been able to in the past, and I doubt I could do it now.

I am curious though, will your insurance cover the revision to bypass while removing the band?

Thanks!

Yes.. my insurance would pay for all of it.. but my copay and the 1,100 revision fee the surgeon charges..

Yes.. my insurance would pay for all of it.. but my copay and the 1,100 revision fee the surgeon charges..

Thanks for the response!

My insurance says it only covers one bariatric surgery per customer. I know they would cover a medically neccesary removal. Not sure about the revision. Maybe something like what you say, I would have to pay the revision fee.

I hope all goes well for you and you are able to reach a decision that is right for you. I especially hope you are able to maintain the weight you have lost and stay healthy.

I do worry about the possibility of my band needing to come out some day. I hope not, but it is nice to know what the options are.

After reading a couple of bypass forums, I'll be honest and say that there are worse things than being fat...and in my opinion, having a bypass is one of them.

If my band had to come out, I'd seriously consider a gastric sleeve, but never a bypass.

According to my doctor, when someone has their band removed, the weight comes back because you're once again dealing with hunger.

I also agree with what someone else said...if this guy has put two bands in you and they've both slipped, I'd find another surgeon.

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After reading a couple of bypass forums, I'll be honest and say that there are worse things than being fat...and in my opinion, having a bypass is one of them.

If my band had to come out, I'd seriously consider a gastric sleeve, but never a bypass.

According to my doctor, when someone has their band removed, the weight comes back because you're once again dealing with hunger.

I also agree with what someone else said...if this guy has put two bands in you and they've both slipped, I'd find another surgeon.

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Oh.. I haven't had two bands. I just had the Fluid removed and it repositioned its self the first time. Then after I had a couple of fills it slipped again, and has been going downhill ever since. I appreciate all of the opinions.. it helps to talk to people who know what i am going through.

It is still the first band, then it slipped, then an unfill, then more fills and the same band slipped worse. correct?