LapBand... Wasted Time, Money, & Pain. Now having the Sleeve

[abjackso 1]

I had Lapbad in Oct of 2009 with a starting weight of 316. Getting approved was very easy with BCBS. After surgery there was more pain that I thought there would be but I made it through. The first couple of months I though the lapbad was the best thing in the world, then things changed. Though I lost weight I was throwing up everyday. I had a test done and the Dr said everything was fine and I needed to chew my food better. I took heed and started ensuring my bites were smaller and chewed until it was mush. I was still throwing up every meal. I went back and they would take some Fluid out, then put some back and take some out, put some back. I got to the point I was so tired of being stuck with needles and throwing up I just kind of gave up. I didn't go back for years. Still having the problems, I then got an onset of the worst heartburn I've ever had and started throwing up in my sleep. I went to a new doctor, Dr Turton, last week. He sent me to have another swallow test and found my band had slipped. He removed all the Fluid I had in it and talked to me about my options. On Last Friday 1/10/14 my information was sent to Aetna to have my lapbad removed and have the sleeve done at the same time. The surgery was approved on 1/16/14. I'm scheduled to have my surgery in February. Im very excited and cant wait to see the results.

Lapband Start Weight - 316

Current Weight - 287

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

sorry you had a rough time

wishing you all the best with this new surgery.

[NaNa 878]

I had Lapbad in Oct of 2009 with a starting weight of 316. Getting approved was very easy with BCBS. After surgery there was more pain that I thought there would be but I made it through. The first couple of months I though the lapbad was the best thing in the world, then things changed. Though I lost weight I was throwing up everyday. I had a test done and the Dr said everything was fine and I needed to chew my food better. I took heed and started ensuring my bites were smaller and chewed until it was mush. I was still throwing up every meal. I went back and they would take some Fluid out, then put some back and take some out, put some back. I got to the point I was so tired of being stuck with needles and throwing up I just kind of gave up. I didn't go back for years. Still having the problems, I then got an onset of the worst heartburn I've ever had and started throwing up in my sleep. I went to a new doctor, Dr Turton, last week. He sent me to have another swallow test and found my band had slipped. He removed all the Fluid I had in it and talked to me about my options. On Last Friday 1/10/14 my information was sent to Aetna to have my lapbad removed and have the sleeve done at the same time. The surgery was approved on 1/16/14. I'm scheduled to have my surgery in February. Im very excited and cant wait to see the results.

Lapband Start Weight - 316

Current Weight - 287

Sorry you've had such a horrible time with your band, it happens to a lot people. I hope the Sleeve brings you everything you hoped the band would.

Many love their Sleeves, but some report reflux issues too, so hopefully you have done your research on the possibility of developing GERD with Sleeve which can involve throwing up in your sleep as well, but hopefully you know the risks. Many lose more weight overall with Sleeve than Band, and you no longer have to worry about fills adjustments.

[lisacaron 5,075]

Sorry you had a hard time and I hope your surgery goes well for you.

I am learning that finding your balance with the band is a very delicate thing that takes lots of patients and time getting fills. So far thank goodness I have not had any issues with being over filled to the point of vomiting or not being able to digest food or drink. I"m very happy with my band so far.

My cousin has the sleeve and he has been very happy with it, I hope you are as well.

[Sleeved&Hopeful 182]

I have a dear friend who had the same experience with a lapband. She threw up every day even when she had the band completely unfilled. It was hell watching her become a bulimic against her will. I was shocked when she got the band unfilled and she was still throwing up. I was there when she got it unfilled and so I was beyond shocked when she was still throwing up her meals while we were out to eat and she had to find an empty cup to throw up into. I know not everyone has that experience and I am so sorry you have the same experience as my friend. She got the band out and revised to another surgery. She's doing very well now.

I know a few people the band has worked for so I mean no disrespect to anyone banded. We all want to lose weight and be healthy no matter what tool we choose. I always hope it works for everyone but unfortunately not everyone is blessed. I wish you the very best in your revision and peace from the throwing up. I just want to recommend staying on PPI's (Prilosec, Omeprazole) after you get sleeved for at least 6 months to ensure you keep the acid reflux at bay and then try to go off of it and see if you have acid reflux still or if it's gone. I have acid reflux since being sleeved and never had it before but luckily mine is pretty mild. 1 PPI (omeprazole) a day and I don't have to worry about acid at all and I have NO issues. I hope your GERD goes away forever. Best of luck!

Edited January 17, 2014 by Sleeved&Hopeful

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

​I wish you luck with your new WLS. Unfortunately no one surgery is fool proof. There will always be people who knock another WLS. I will never say bad things because I had a problem. Not just with WLS but with any. I had a small mole removed and it turned into MRSA. Oh, well shit happens. I won't knock mole removable, so please don't knock the band, that I love.

Feel better and I hope the sleeve doesn't cause any problems.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

I'm sorry to hear of your struggles and hope things go better with your sleeve. I revised from the band to the sleeve, a choice made with more haste and panic than wisdom.

As NaNa pointed out, reflux is extremely common after sleeve surgery. Chronic reflux can cause a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett's Esophagus. Regurgitation of acid while you're asleep poses a risk of aspiration (inhaling the acid) and then pneumonia. I'm diligent about taking the omeprazole my surgeon prescribed for me, but even at 17 months post-op, still have breakthrough reflux from time to time.

Good luck with your sleeve.

[kll724 3,055]

Sorry to hear that you had a problem with your band. best wishes with you sleeve! Karen..aka..kll724

[2muchfun 8,928]

The silver lining here is, you were banded and because you were banded you were able to revise to a different surgical technique. You still have a stomach a surgeon can work on. This may not be the case with other surgeries? And, you probably know what to expect with the sleeve this time around. A total commitment or bust!

Good luck.

[abjackso 1]

Thanks for all the well-wishes and feedback. My Surgery has been approved and I will have it on Feb 20. Im very excited for this new adventure and this new, healthier life.

[2muchfun 8,928]

Thanks for all the well-wishes and feedback. My Surgery has been approved and I will have it on Feb 20. Im very excited for this new adventure and this new, healthier life.

Good for you. Come back to the band boards occasionally and let us know how you're doing? Good or bad, we all want to beat the fat.

tmf

[Successful4me 51]

Sorry you had a hard time and I hope your surgery goes well for you. I am learning that finding your balance with the band is a very delicate thing that takes lots of patients and time getting fills. So far thank goodness I have not had any issues with being over filled to the point of vomiting or not being able to digest food or drink. I"m very happy with my band so far. My cousin has the sleeve and he has been very happy with it, I hope you are as well.

This happens to a LOT of long term bandsters we get complacent and forget the rules, because honestly many of use get tired of restriction! I found myself in the same predicament. If it was me I would go back to my surgeons office and have them check the band for any pouch dilation, this is a common late long term complication especially if we find we can eat more food..... Sometimes 'rebooting' the band can help, sometimes you may have to get some saline removed for about 6 weeks let the stomach rest and start refilling to reset the pouch......

I was Banded 12/22/10 & being re-banded on 2/11/14. I have lost a total of 107 lbs & very happy with my choice to have the band. Last summer I had a stomach virus & the vomiting caused band to slip. All Fluid was removed & band went back into place on its own. Nevertheless for the past few months I'm hungry & can eat more (this is with my band filled to the maximum). My Surgeon said for some/most people after a slip the Band never really goes back to the original state that it was (my sweet spot/green zone). He gave me the option of the sleeve or another band.... Well I chose the Band because I'm happy with it, I know how it works with my body & I saw no need to cut out a portion of my stomach. I'm not saying NEVER to the sleeve, but right now NO.