Band Broken again - looking to convert to Sleeve

[dcmoore56 10]

Hello

I was banded in Feb 2006, my highest weight was 340lbs - I was able to get to 198lbs. I am 5'6". Well, I have had the port leak and was replaced - in 2007. I had the port come loose - 2007 and re-attached. And last year I started t feel no restriction, had an upper GI - they said the band was in place and all looked well. Well, I started gaining weight - I had no restriction I went to two different physicians for a fill - I still felt no restriction. I am gaining weight - I joined Weight Watchers. I stopped gaining - but was not losing. Then the pain started - it felt like I was being poked with a sharp object in my lower abdomen. To ER I go, turns out the tubing broke away from the port and a piece of the port is attached to loose tubing, per the CT scan.. This was 11 days ago. So, now I am looking into removing the band and replacing it with a Sleeve. I live in West Texas - Alpine and the surgeon who works with my insurance is in Laredo- Lonestar Surgery, Dr. Morris. So, I am sitting here in everything from cramp like discomfort to OMG - a poker punch of pain, waiting for all the paperwork to be submitted and trying to get the approval so I can have this in one surgery. That is what the surgeon is recommending.

So, has anyone else gone through this??

Diane

[wascott 395]

Sorry you're having such a challenge with your band. There have been many many people that have gone from band to sleeve. I suggest searching for "band to sleeve" to dig up some posts.

[hockeyfan7 249]

I didn't have that kind of problem but I went from band to sleeve in one surgery a month ago. Everything went well and I'm happy with the revision.

I was throwing up everything even liquids. I don't miss that port at all!

Good luck!

[wright616 84]

I went through a similar experience with my band. I was banded in 2011, lost restriction in 2013 and found our the catheter broke, I had pain in my lower abdomen, went to the ER for them to say it was a UTI. I went to my regular doc who said nothing was wrong. Finally, I went to my bariatric doc and found it was disconnected through the CT scan. I went for a revision surgery. In 2015, I lost restriction and they had a hard time filling and unfilling me, so my surgeon suggested the sleeve. So far, this has been the BEST decision! I've lost so much more weight than with the band and I feel "normal" with the sleeve. Good luck with what you choose!

[dcmoore56 10]

Thank you. This has been crazy. I hate being in pain. Paperwork is to to the insurance company Monday. Hope to know soon.

[MeFirst 65]

@dcmoore56..

I hope everything has been resolved for you. I'm wondering how it all turned out. I've had a similar experience with the lapband and 2 replacements of my port due to infection. Had the band removed 2 years ago and looking to get the sleeve. My question to you: was there any issue with scar tissue from the previous laparoscopic procedures? Did it effect your ability to get the sleeve. Thank you