I feel completely lost!

[Linnyann21 0]

Hi Everyone-

This is my first time posting on this board. I have had my band for about 2.5 years and I lost 50 lbs in the beginning and then i stopped losing. I started to eat bad again and starting drinking with my meals. then I got pregnant and about a year ago i started having problems. food would constantly get stuck and i would have to vomit. And the problem is still happening. My surgeon took all the Fluid out of a band and it is completely empty now still have problems. He claimed nothing was wrong with the band when he went a looked at my band under fluroscopy. Seriously contemplating a revision from band to sleeve.They originally recommended the sleeve but it scared the crap outta me so i went with the band. I have at least 100 lbs to lose. not really sure what to do. Anyone else run into these issues? I just found out my surgeon left the practice he was in so i am scheduled to see another surgeon tomorrow. I hope he can give me some answers. So tired of living like this! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I know exactly how you feel. (read my profile story) and all I can say is.. It's time for you to get rid of the band for your own health. That's you're first priority and hopefully you can be sleeved. If you wait you're going to do more damage to your self and they will not do the band to sleeve in one procedure. Take care of yourself.. Your eating isn't any better than being bulimic

[marfar7 1,528]

I agree with Ms Band...

If the band stays in and continues to do damage to your stomach, they may not be able to do your revision in once surgery. My revision (have had my band for 3 1/2 yrs) is scheduled for July 16th. The PLAN is to do it all at once. With all of the xrays and tests availaiable, there's no way to ssee how much damage has been done till they actually get in there. My problem is if I don't get it during this surgery, my insurance won't pay for a future sleeve (my bmi is only 28 now). They will only pay for a revision cuz it's a band complication. After it's not "comlicating" anymore, they won't pay till my bmi goes back up to >35 with 1 comoribity (and there's no way I'm gunna gain another about 50 lbs to allow that to happen).

I've proven that I can't be trusted to do this on my own. I've gained back 30 of the 104 lbs I had lost since my slip about 16 mths ago. I NEED this sleeve. I'm just praying that when I wake up in the recovery room, I actually have a sleeve in my possession.

I know what you mean about having it emptied and still acting up. In the almost 3 mths since mines been totally emptied, I've vomited a few times (which is silly, seeing as it doesn't work at all anymore) - but not as much as I vomited (about 3-5x a week) pre slip and it still causes occasional pain.

As much as I loved my band (and it did help me to lose all but 9 lbs of my weight), I think the band was a fad, much like Phen-Fen was in the 90's. Alot of people (not sure the %'s) are having trouble with their band. Now I can't wait to have something that starts working right away (instead of traveling 6 hr round trip and paying $160 for fills every 6 weeks) and that I don't need much follow up for. I'm GLAD it's permanent - I need something permanent. Not quite understanding people choice being that it's not permanent when choosing the band. I believe obesity is permanent and needs lifelong help, not something that once you get down to a size 6 can be taken out and you can do it all on your own. I'm proof that doesn't work.

Good luck with your journey!

[Kami63 215]

Hi Everyone-

This is my first time posting on this board. I have had my band for about 2.5 years and I lost 50 lbs in the beginning and then i stopped losing. I started to eat bad again and starting drinking with my meals. then I got pregnant and about a year ago i started having problems. food would constantly get stuck and i would have to vomit. And the problem is still happening. My surgeon took all the Fluid out of a band and it is completely empty now still have problems. He claimed nothing was wrong with the band when he went a looked at my band under fluroscopy. Seriously contemplating a revision from band to sleeve.They originally recommended the sleeve but it scared the crap outta me so i went with the band. I have at least 100 lbs to lose. not really sure what to do. Anyone else run into these issues? I just found out my surgeon left the practice he was in so i am scheduled to see another surgeon tomorrow. I hope he can give me some answers. So tired of living like this! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, I understand what you are feeling. I ultimately had to go to a new surgeon to get things moving. I went to one who specializes in VSG, bypass, bands and revision surgery. My tests originally showed no damage but I was in so much pain and it didn't start out hat way. My original surgeon said tree was nothing wrong with the band but that I was non compliant. All this while the only thing I could get down was Water and Protein shakes. The best thing I ver did for myself was research and find the surgeon that fit my needs. Hang in there and good luck.

[sherrypep 91]

Hi, I can relate to all these stories. I only had my band for 16 months but had all kinds of problems. My Dr did every test and could not find a problem. My band even lost 4-5cc's of fill on a few occasions. I vomited all the time and had discomfort with everything I ate. My insurance approved the removal with revision due to severe gerd and band slip even though there was not proof of a slip. I am almost 8 weeks out and feel soooo much better than with the band. I am eating better with no pain, occasional stomach ache, and I feel great. I had a low BMI at revision I was 164.5 now down to 144. Best of luck I will send good prayers your way!

[Kami63 215]

I forgot to mention that I am two days post op and that chest pain I had from the band was completely gone even on day 1. What a freaking relief