I had my band removed a week ago. It had slipped and I had a ventral hernia, both of which were causing me a lot of pain. My insurance has changed from my original surgery and doesn't cover any baratric care so I decided to have it taken out. The thing is, I'm hungry like I haven't been for over a year and a half, I don't have restriction of any kind and I don't have any dietary limitations. My family is trying to be supportive but it is coming off nagging and as though they expect me to fail. I am scared and wish I had my band.

Take care of yourselves and be good to your bands...wish me luck.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss! I wish you the very best of luck, I am not going to lie it is something always in the back of my mind. The last couple of days my stomach has been hurting and I pray that my band is ok. I hope that you start feeling better and can keep your head where it needs to be.

I had my band removed a week ago. It had slipped and I had a ventral hernia, both of which were causing me a lot of pain. My insurance has changed from my original surgery and doesn't cover any baratric care so I decided to have it taken out. The thing is, I'm hungry like I haven't been for over a year and a half, I don't have restriction of any kind and I don't have any dietary limitations. My family is trying to be supportive but it is coming off nagging and as though they expect me to fail. I am scared and wish I had my band.

Take care of yourselves and be good to your bands...wish me luck.

I am very sorry this happened to you especially since you liked your band. But you did the right thing and perhaps down the road you can get a revision surgery to the sleeve or RNY. By then, maybe your insurance will cover it. Press them on it.

But when you think of it - all WLS is unnatural - we put these foreign things in our bodies or re-route them and then act surprised when things go wrong.

I'm so sorry you had to have your band removed and dealing with the hunger again.

Since having my band put in I've dealt with constant pain in my left shoulder (phrenic nerve pain) and after 15 months, I just can't deal with it anymore. They're taking my band out within the next few weeks (I hope) and, while my insurance will cover the revision to a sleeve since the band is being removed due to complications, I'm not sure I want to do that. Like you, though, without the band I don't know if I'll be able to deal with the hunger.

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I'm so sorry you had to have your band removed and dealing with the hunger again.

Since having my band put in I've dealt with constant pain in my left shoulder (phrenic nerve pain) and after 15 months, I just can't deal with it anymore. They're taking my band out within the next few weeks (I hope) and, while my insurance will cover the revision to a sleeve since the band is being removed due to complications, I'm not sure I want to do that. Like you, though, without the band I don't know if I'll be able to deal with the hunger.

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I am sorry you are having this problem and are having the band removed. I didn't know you were considering it. I think that left shoulder pain is just another of what I call the "dirty little secrets" about the band that no bariatric surgeon tells you beforehand. Mine never even heard of it when I complained. That's one of the many reasons he is my former surgeon.

I wish you so much luck, but I would suggest you research the sleeve. I have read what some banded to sleeve revision posters have said and it sounds like everything I expected from the band but didn't get. Give it some consideration.

Take care and let us know how it goes.

I am sorry you are having this problem and are having the band removed. I didn't know you were considering it. I think that left shoulder pain is just another of what I call the "dirty little secrets" about the band that no bariatric surgeon tells you beforehand. Mine never even heard of it when I complained. That's one of the many reasons he is my former surgeon.

I wish you so much luck, but I would suggest you research the sleeve. I have read what some banded to sleeve revision posters have said and it sounds like everything I expected from the band but didn't get. Give it some consideration.

Take care and let us know how it goes.

Thanks. I've been doing a lot of research on the sleeve and haven't completely ruled it out. I'm just glad my insurance is making it an option.

My surgeon hadn't ever heard of the phrenic nerve pain either. He's done thousands of these surgeries and said I'm the first to complain. I love him but it makes me wonder how much these guys keep up on the advances in what they're doing since I was able to discover what the pain was just by doing a search on the internet!

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I'm so sorry you had to have your band removed and dealing with the hunger again.

Since having my band put in I've dealt with constant pain in my left shoulder (phrenic nerve pain) and after 15 months, I just can't deal with it anymore. They're taking my band out within the next few weeks (I hope) and, while my insurance will cover the revision to a sleeve since the band is being removed due to complications, I'm not sure I want to do that. Like you, though, without the band I don't know if I'll be able to deal with the hunger.

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Elfie;

Sorry to hear of your situation. The band seemed to be working for you.

Have you consulted with a neurologist? There might be a little more insight from that discipline than you would find from a Surgeon or a GP.

S.

Thanks. I've been doing a lot of research on the sleeve and haven't completely ruled it out. I'm just glad my insurance is making it an option.

My surgeon hadn't ever heard of the phrenic nerve pain either. He's done thousands of these surgeries and said I'm the first to complain. I love him but it makes me wonder how much these guys keep up on the advances in what they're doing since I was able to discover what the pain was just by doing a search on the internet!

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You're welcome. I thought of something else after I replied. I complained about left shoulder pain to my current doctor and he looked at my x-rays and upper GI and said my tubing was very close to the diaphram and he does a shorter tubing when he bands and if it became a big problem that he could go in and shorten and reposition the tubing away from the diaphram. Perhaps that's something you might want to ask your doctor before you make any final decision. Just a thought.

Good luck.

I agree with CM......There are ways around many situations like this, and often it requires second and third opinions, from other kinds of doctors.

I wouldn't give up just yet.

S.

Thanks. I've been doing a lot of research on the sleeve and haven't completely ruled it out. I'm just glad my insurance is making it an option.

My surgeon hadn't ever heard of the phrenic nerve pain either. He's done thousands of these surgeries and said I'm the first to complain. I love him but it makes me wonder how much these guys keep up on the advances in what they're doing since I was able to discover what the pain was just by doing a search on the internet!

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The reality is that many (if not most) surgeons are "technicians"....they do what they do, often very, very well, but it is somewhat limited in scope.

Unfortunately, the Band is a "dynamic" device..... the way your body interacts with it changes, and it works differently for different people. It's not like Gall Bladder Surgery or some other kind of surgery where you cut/suture/go have lunch. Placement is SO important, and people's bodies are all different.

Therefore, there is a new "breed" of bariatric surgeon that has been emerging, surgeons who become much more involved in the entire process than they would be for other surgeries. They learn about nutrition, they learn more about obesity and its causes, they insert themselves deeper into everything.

But....Most surgeons are not like that. And as you put it, Elfie, many of these guys do NOT keep up with things that they really SHOULD know more about.

DO get a second opinion....see a Neurologist, because THAT is the world they live in.....Nerves and the "electrical" functions of the Body.

Whatever you decide, you have certainly done well with the band....and I think you should look a little further before you have it removed or revise.

S.

Thanks. I've been doing a lot of research on the sleeve and haven't completely ruled it out. I'm just glad my insurance is making it an option.

My surgeon hadn't ever heard of the phrenic nerve pain either. He's done thousands of these surgeries and said I'm the first to complain. I love him but it makes me wonder how much these guys keep up on the advances in what they're doing since I was able to discover what the pain was just by doing a search on the internet!

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Could you please explain this nerve pain? I have never heard of it, but I have been having pain in my right shoulder blade, and it hurts worse when I get stuck. I hope this isn't what I have because it sounds painful. I think mine may just be my back, but I don't think I pulled anything. Just curious.

Answering to a couple posts...

I hadn't even thought of talking to a neurologist, but might be worth a shot before getting rid of the band. Especially since the damned thing has finally started working! In the past week and a half I've been eating between 800-1000 calories a day because all desire to eat vanished after my band tightened from the last fill.

The plan right now is not to just go in and yank the band (although he thinks that will be what happens), but to see where/how/why it's rubbing against the diaphragm and possibly fix it.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Melody, I sure hope you can get to the source of your pain and don't lose your band.

Mimi