I am now 5 days Post-op band to bypass. I was banded 3 years ago and did great the first year. Then the stomach flu hit me and I got stuck to the point where I couldn't swallow my own saliva and had to rush back to the ED for emergency unfill. My band was never the same after that. I had always had pain in my left shoulder, like most of us had due to the gas build upon only difference was mine lasted until I had the band removed. After my doctor and I tried everything to help, we couldn't fix it. Many trips to the ED later, my doc said it needs to come out. So I started the process all over again and this time I decided to be revised to bypass. When I woke up from surgery (which went flawlessly) the doctor told me she found out why I was having pain in my left ribcage area, below my sternum and in my left shoulder. The left ribcage was from the band or the tubing rubbing against my diaphragm and causing a callus. Which in turn caused the shoulder pain due to the vagus nerve being bothered. The low sternal pain was from my band moving up and down causing inflammation and early signs of erosion. I was so relieved to hear that I wasn't crazy all these years! Recovery Post-op has been great. Better than with the band. I wish I had done this the first time and saved me so much trouble, pain, money and family anguish.

Congratulations! You are about to begin your new life!

I am so glad they figured this out and you are on the road to recovery! Welcome to a whole new wonderful life. You deserve it after what you have been through!

I just found out this week that my issue is very similar. My tubing has been wrapped behind my spleen and at the same time irritating my diaphragm. I am considering a revision when they remove the band. My question is, due to all the medical problems and testing and imaging I have done, is it easier to deal with insurance? I just want to be done with all of the pain.

I just found out this week that my issue is very similar. My tubing has been wrapped behind my spleen and at the same time irritating my diaphragm. I am considering a revision when they remove the band. My question is, due to all the medical problems and testing and imaging I have done, is it easier to deal with insurance? I just want to be done with all of the pain.

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I had no issues with insurance getting approved for revision. I do have a different insurance then when I was banded. I still had to go through 6 months of supervised nutrition classes, and the whole gambit all over again, but oh well. Best of luck to you!