Hi,

I am new to the site and really looking for some help. I was banded in 2005 and over the past 7 years I've lost 125lbs. I have the small 4cc band and it has been very sensitive since day one, but I learned to live with it. In Feruary, I had abdominoplasty and ever since then, I've had increaseing reflux, vomiting and general intolerance. I kept having unfills and compensated with eating more "solid" foods that I couldn't tolerate before with more restriction. Now I am completely empty, the heartburn and reflux is at it's worst. I am taking Protonix 2x daily with some relief. I am vomiting on anything more than mushies / puree - and sometimes even on liquids. I've had horriffic epigastric pain intermittently. My endoscopy and upper GI were normal. The band is perfectly placed - no hernias. I've had all of these symptoms over the years, but they have never lasted this long. I'm really at a loss. I'm terrified to have the band out. I don't know that I can keep the weight off. I see the surgeon on Wednesday to discuss "options." I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience. I believe that my insurance will cover bypass because I've been so successful, but I'm not sure that is the best option for me.

Thanks - Mary

Look into the gastric sleeve... that's what a lot of bandsters convert to if they lose their band for some reason. The sleeve doesn't seem to be quite as drastic as bypass.

I am so sorry you're going through this.

Would it be possible for them to replace your band? To a newer, bigger one? They actually stopped making and using the 4cc band in the United States because (unfortunately) there have been a lot of people in your shoes. Being as you've been so successful with it and you've had it for so long, I would hope the insurance would cover a necessary replacement surgery. Then, you'd still have a band and wouldn't have to go through gastric bypass.

Just an idea.

Best wishes to you.

The only issue with converting is that insurance may not cover it if you have not gained any weight back. If you are still at goal they don't see you as a high risk for surgery anymore. You may have to pay out of pocket for the other surgery but not the removal. I would go for the sleeve though because your intestines are not rerouted with the sleeve.

My insurance company based my revision on my pre-band weight. As much as I HATE insurance companies, mine was extremely helpful in the revision process (revision to bypass for me). Good luck!!!!

Thank you to everyone for your input. Based on my conversation with the insurance company, it sounds like they will cover a revision of some sort using my previous BMI. The sleeve sounds almost too good to be true. i'd love to be eat real food and veggies - just in small quantities. I'm just curious about how much weight people have lost after switching from the band to the sleeve. At the most, I only need to loose another 30lbs. The other question is, did any of the surgeons expess concern over how much of the stomach is removed. My surgeon made a comment recently that he wasn't fond of the surgery because it wasn't reversable and you don't know what the long term complications are.

Thanks again - Mary

Get the sleeve. My husband went from band to sleeve, and is doing much better and keeping the weight off. Sometimes bands stop working.

My surgeon said if you have reflux issues the sleeve is not a good choice it will not take care of the issue

My insurance approved my band to bypass but they advised me that it was like starting over as my band was placed 6 yrs ago also some insurance plans do not cover the sleeve as there is not enough data to show success as some sleeves end with the bypass

What about plication? I no experience with your situation but thought I'd give you another option to ask about.

Good luck!