Full band replacement - experiences sought

[lellow 1,713]

I'm looking down the barrel of a full band replacement.

I've had two port revision surgeries already in the last year - one where they replaced the port and tubing and one where they didn't, not that it made a difference to my recovery at all. The operations were tough on me. The anesthesia knocked me around, and I had significant swelling in my stomach, but I suspect it was because he'd done it all via one incision in the middle of my belly (through my old body lift scar).

Now I'm looking at a full band replacement due to the fact that my band is still leaking. I am looking for anyone who has had a full band replacement who might give me an idea on recovery. And if you had port revision surgery once before too, that's even better, coz you would be able to compare the two.

Is replacement as taxing as having the surgery in the first place? Do you suffer from wind and have that 'tightness' afterwards where you can't eat for a week? Do you need as much time to recover as the original surgery?

I'm trying to prepare myself for it. I need to work around work so want to know how much time I'll need off, whether I need to stock up on peppermint tea again and mushies etc.

Any help would be welcomed!

[marfar7 1,532]

I'm anxious to here replies to this also. My band slipped about 10 mths ago and even with unfills/fills/tweaks, it's still slipped. Since I have no symptoms now (I only have about 6 cc in a 14cc band now), my dr is leaving it alone, but I'm getting tired of dieting to prevent weight gain when I have a tool inside not doing it's job. Thinking about having it replaced sometime in the future and I was wondering these same things.

I hate to start ALL OVER again, with all of the fills and whatnot, but I'm almost at goal and wish to stay there forever and I know without it I'll gain all the weight back. This time, however, I will follow all of the rules and NOT VOMIT everyday!

So I'm also interested in hearing from people that have had a revision done....

Marci

[PRIMADONA60 10]

Hi I just. Had a full band replacement In jan ,2013. My old band w I had for 2 years.matbe u could txt me and I can tell u my story if u like

[PRIMADONA60 10]

Hi Marci, im going for my 4th fill today,I'm at 6.2 cc right now, in a 14cc band and feeling No restriction at all. Putting on. Weight instead of losing it. I'm hoping that I will have some restriction today :-) .

[Baba Wawa 543]

I know of several people who've had their band replaced and ended up having it removed and revising to another WLS (usually sleeve, since its the other restrictive only surgery). IMHO, why not just revise and be done?

Your second band surgery is likely to be longer than the first. The old band has to be removed (remember, scar tissue is holding it in place), scar tissue and adhesions removed and the new band installed. Other than the removal/clean up, second band surgeries come with all the post op aches and pains, but most likely a bit worse, from the longer surgery.

If you have a lot of damage from the first band, you may not be able to get a new one. I would consult with a revision WL surgeon, before proceeding any further.

[lellow 1,713]

My dr is both a lapband and sleeve surgeon and we discussed the pros and cons of each. The reasons that I'm sticking with the band are:

• It worked amazingly well for me until the leak. I lost 130% of my excess weight and maintained without issue for 3 years.
  
• I had no real adverse affects with the band
  
• The sleeve and it's side effects on me personally are unknown
  
• Revision to a sleeve would entail two operations - one to remove the band, and then a future second operation to revise to a sleeve
  
• My insurance will completely cover the band replacement but I would have to pay out of pocket for a sleeve revision
  

So after weighing all that up, I've decided to get a full band replacement. I love the lapband, and it's been very good to me for a very long time. So I'm sticking with it.

[tipsyb 71]

Hi Marci' date=' im going for my 4th fill today,I'm at 6.2 cc right now, in a 14cc band and feeling No restriction at all. Putting on. Weight instead of losing it. I'm hoping that I will have some restriction today :-) .[/quote']

It's taken me to 11cc to feel restriction and start to lose weight .

[Baba Wawa 543]

I hope your surgery goes very well. Sorry if my comments seemed inappropriate, I was trying to help. You've done great with your band!

[lellow 1,713]

It's all good MsMaui! I know you posted out of concern for me.

My doctor is incredibly experienced with WLS and is one of the best drs in Australia, so I trust that we have come to the right decision together. I know that revision to the sleeve seems to be the 'done thing' but I can't in good conscience make that decision for me, not after weighing up everything that applies to me.

Thank you for your good wishes for the upcoming surgery. I'm very excited at returning to the band life and all the benefits that it has provided me!

[JACKIEO85 308]

lellow may I ask how old your are? Because you look like your in your early 20's and you've been thorough allot already according to your sig line...

Good Luck on your surgery, sorry I can't give an advise I still have my band

[lellow 1,713]

Hi Jackie, I'm 43. So no, not young at all! But thank you, you made my day!

[kush1566 3]

Hello lellow

I am scheduled for band replacement may 16 and have decided against the sleeve for some of your same reasons:

Band had worked for two years with no problems and achieved my ideal weight. I have prolapsed and must get a revision and my only concern is that if the new band will prolapse again

[lellow 1,713]

Hi kush,

did your dr say if there was a chance of another prolapse?

Good luck with your replacement, I'll be having mine in 12 days so you should keep in touch!

[JACKIEO85 308]

Lellow & Kush I have searched and all I can find is this:

Band slip types (I, II, IV and V) are acute and always require surgical intervention. Laparoscopic removal or repositioning of the band is the preferred method of treatment. Pouch enlargement is a chronic complication that should be managed nonoperatively in the first instance, and surgical readjustment is reserved only for those patients in whom conservative treatment fails.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/

[JACKIEO85 308]

And this :

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3266497/

It seems like it DEPENDS on why the slip occurred? I hope this helps?