I was just wondering for anyone who got a VSG in Canada or the USA if your surgeon first took out your band and then made you wait. I see some have waited 6 months in between - that seems sooooo long to me (patience isn't a virtue I admit it!!).

Then I see alot of VSG posts that say their surgeons did it at the same time.

Does anyone have any experience with this - especially with old bands - mine was done in 2003.

Thanks

Glenda

I had my band removed a year ago. My surgeon would not do both at the same time particularly because mine was eroded. However, I just saw him last Friday and he said he will never again do both no matter who or what because with the ones he has done there were leaks because of the scar tissue.

My surgeon requires a minimum 2 month wait between procedures. I'm really glad he does.

. I just saw him last Friday and he said he will never again do both no matter who or what because with the ones he has done there were leaks because of the scar tissue.

Glad that hes honest, but I would run from him fast if thats the case.

I find it frustrating that you cannot get independant data on leak rates. My surgeon told me that he sees about 4-5% risk of leaks in revisions; as opposed to the 1% (if memory is correct) for people who the sleeve is their first stomach or weight loss surgery. I know that people say that Dr Aceves in Mexico has a 0% leak rate, which I assume covers revisions as well, but I don't know how to verify it. That is a second hand knowledge statement, and one which I do not know the accuracy of.

I would ask the surgeon what percentage of his patients have leaks - revision and first timers. The way it was worded sounds like 100% of his revisions if done as one step had leaks and I doubt that is the case.

My doc prefers to do them 4-6 weeks apart, but he will do them at the same time if the patient insists, especially the self pay ones it may be a more practical solution.

I had my band put in in July of 2009. I will be having revision surgery on Sept 20th. My surgeon plans to do it in one operation unless he sees too much scar tissue. I'm hoping to have it done in just one surgery.

Shelli

Thanks again for the replies. There may be a good reason why they will wait.

My 1st appointment is 7 September - so I guess I will find out the details then. I am just glad that I am on the way - hopefully they can get my band out. It may be nice to have a few months of no vomiting or pain. May actually be able to eat a whole piece of chicken without the screaming pain afterwards. Somewhere in me I have found some patience and seem better than I was before with the timeframe - I figured - well you have no choice - just live until then

I did some checking on the revision surgery when you have scar tissue from the band. The staple line if it cuts right through the scar tissue has a higher rate of leakage vs running the staple line right up to but just short of the scar tissue. Scar tissues does not have a good blood supply so the tissue will not heal correctly. This is where the leak comes from. Ask you physician if the staple line will cross your scar tissue or not. You should want the staple line where the healing must take place to follow good live tissue. A sleeve like this has a small bulge above the scar tissue but it doesn't have any affect on the effectiveness of the sleeve or your future weight loss.

I just had mine done and can see how the staple line angles right up to the bottom of the old pouch.

That is good information. My band has slipped, so I can imagine there is scar tissue in more then one place. I think he will know better once he takes the band out at the end of the month.

I was supposed to have it removed yesterday but I got a really bad cold (lots of chest congestion) and chickened out and rescheduled to end of Sept.

I had to convince my doctor to do it at the same time. He said the risk of leakage was much higher if it was done at the same time. But I explained to him that I know I would not return if he did it in two parts. I fear surgery with a passion and it took every ounce of courage to get the band surgery in 2009. Then the port flipped and tne band slipped and all the weight i lost with the band came back. I begged my doctor to do the band removal and the sleeve ( and repair my hiatal hernia) all at the same time. He finally agreed and I'm so happy he did it.

I was just wondering for anyone who got a VSG in Canada or the USA if your surgeon first took out your band and then made you wait. I see some have waited 6 months in between - that seems sooooo long to me (patience isn't a virtue I admit it!!).

Then I see alot of VSG posts that say their surgeons did it at the same time.

Does anyone have any experience with this - especially with old bands - mine was done in 2003.

Thanks

Glenda

My band was placed in Aug 2008 and eroded and removed in April 2011. Since I was so sick, the surgeon opted to do the revision in two seperate surguries.

Yeah I am not going to him. I am scheduled with Dr. Aceves for October 8th. They say he is the best for revisions.

Glad that hes honest, but I would run from him fast if thats the case.

I really don't think it's the scar tissue so much as the surgeon's skill level. Although my surgeon did admit that revisions aren't as "easy or fun" as virgin procedures.

He has never had a revision leak.

^{My doctor will not know if he can remove my band and sleeve me all at one time until he gets inside and checks out what is going on. I was banded in 2006 and have had acid reflux ever since. I am hoping that I wake up sleeved:)}