Scheduled for Lap Band - Success vs Regret?

[KimberlyV 0]

Hi everyone. I’m new here.

I’m going to have a Lap Band put in next month (August).

I have a Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass in 92’ and lost about 200 pounds. After two pregnancies and many years I gained about 100 pounds back.

Currently I am about 60 pounds more than my lowest weight with the Roux-En-Y.

My pouch lost its shape and the opening is stretched out so I am hungry pretty much 24/7.

I meg with a doctor who said the Lap Band would give me my pouch back and I’d be able to be full again.

I was super excited to FINALLY get approval (just waiting on the surgery date).

I’ve been reading this forum and read all the horror stories. Am I making a huge mistake? Am I making the right decision? Has anyone had success with the Lap Band with no complications?

ANY input would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

Kimberly

[RickM 1,747]

The bands by themselves on a normal stomach don't work well and tend to be complications in escrow - they go in easily and with minimal complications, but the complications (typically slippage and/or erosion) pile up over time. I haven't seen much about such complications with the BOB (band over bypass) but the overall success rate is fairly poor; likewise with the various stoma tightening procedures.

Here is one bariatric surgeon's perspective on the value of various revisions:

Check some of this other doc's videos on addressing regain problems - his solution may or may not be something that works for you, but it is something to think about and see if you can craft another approach that is to your liking.

Your hunger is not likely to be much affected by the band, as there are no hormonal changes being made to address that issue. There may be some dietary tricks that can be done to reduce hunger (going back to the classic "protein first" bariatric diet is a start.) Have you seen an RD (registered dietician) to see what can be done on that front? That should be a first step before going into a revision.

Another surgeon's perspective is that with a BOB, you are taking a failed surgery (your original RNY) and applying a high failure rate device (the band) and expecting great results - disappointment is the most likely result. Sorry.

[KimberlyV 0]

RickM - Thank you very much for the input. I appreciate it a lot. You gave me a lot to think about.

Kimberly

[sydchristy88 11]

Hi everyone. I’m new here.

I’m going to have a Lap Band put in next month (August).

I have a Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass in 92’ and lost about 200 pounds. After two pregnancies and many years I gained about 100 pounds back.

Currently I am about 60 pounds more than my lowest weight with the Roux-En-Y.

My pouch lost its shape and the opening is stretched out so I am hungry pretty much 24/7.

I meg with a doctor who said the Lap Band would give me my pouch back and I’d be able to be full again.

I was super excited to FINALLY get approval (just waiting on the surgery date).

I’ve been reading this forum and read all the horror stories. Am I making a huge mistake? Am I making the right decision? Has anyone had success with the Lap Band with no complications?

ANY input would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

Kimberly

Heyy I just had my revision from the sleeve to gastric bypass. And I was wondering has your doctor given you the option to make your pouch smaller?

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

[KimberlyV 0]

@sydchristy88 Hi. No, that option was never discussed. My current pouch is more like an extension of my intestine. It has no shape and the opening is too big. I’m hungry 24/7 for the most part. I thought the Lap Band was my best option to feel full again.

Kimberly

[sydchristy88 11]

@sydchristy88 Hi. No, that option was never discussed. My current pouch is more like an extension of my intestine. It has no shape and the opening is too big. I’m hungry 24/7 for the most part. I thought the Lap Band was my best option to feel full again.

Kimberly

Okay! Cool I wanted lap band after my first surgery but my insurance wouldn't cover it! But how exciting that you get to start a new journey!!!

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

[KimberlyV 0]

Thank you @sydchristy88. I hope & pray that I make the right decision.

[Matt Z 4,138]

10 hours ago, KimberlyV said:

Hi everyone. I’m new here.

I’m going to have a Lap Band put in next month (August).

I have a Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass in 92’ and lost about 200 pounds. After two pregnancies and many years I gained about 100 pounds back.

Currently I am about 60 pounds more than my lowest weight with the Roux-En-Y.

My pouch lost its shape and the opening is stretched out so I am hungry pretty much 24/7.

I meg with a doctor who said the Lap Band would give me my pouch back and I’d be able to be full again.

I was super excited to FINALLY get approval (just waiting on the surgery date).

I’ve been reading this forum and read all the horror stories. Am I making a huge mistake? Am I making the right decision? Has anyone had success with the Lap Band with no complications?

ANY input would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

Kimberly

Avoid the band all together. There are other options, like Endoscopic gastric pouch plication.

[KimberlyV 0]

Thank you MattZ. I don't know if I can have that procedure done. I currently have a Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (done back in 1992). The upper part of my stomach was cut off back then. Only the lower part is still opened to the intestine to allow for digestive juices to go through. They would have to re-attach my upper part of my stomach and put my intestines back the way they were (even though the surgery had 4' of intestines removed).

I would love to explore more viable options. Sure, I can lose some weight on Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, diet & exercise, but with nothing to "fill up" I am ALWAYS hungry. Even eating bulkier foods - I'm still hungry. I wake up in the middle of the night because I'm hungry - it's a vicious cycle that I just want to "fixed." :-(

[Matt Z 4,138]

34 minutes ago, KimberlyV said:

Thank you MattZ. I don't know if I can have that procedure done. I currently have a Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (done back in 1992). The upper part of my stomach was cut off back then. Only the lower part is still opened to the intestine to allow for digestive juices to go through. They would have to re-attach my upper part of my stomach and put my intestines back the way they were (even though the surgery had 4' of intestines removed).

I would love to explore more viable options. Sure, I can lose some weight on Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, diet & exercise, but with nothing to "fill up" I am ALWAYS hungry. Even eating bulkier foods - I'm still hungry. I wake up in the middle of the night because I'm hungry - it's a vicious cycle that I just want to "fixed." :-(

I'm not suggesting they return everything back the way it was and do the surgery again, I'm saying they can go in endoscopically and resize your pouch that way, without having to open you back up.

[KimberlyV 0]

Oh, I didn't know that Matt Z. I had Googled the procedure and I didn't see a mention of it fixing a pouch. I'll have to inquire with my surgeon about that. Thank you.

[funky_monkey800 242]

As of right now i dont regret the band.

For me, at the time i (and my doctors) thought it was the best choice.

I have reached my goal and i am very well aware of the work it takes to keep my band in check. I watch what i eat and i work out every day...

I have never had any issues, and hopefully i never do. I followed everything my doctor told me and spoke with him or the nut/nurse when i had questions...i also came here alot in the beginning.

There are a few of us banders left....

Good luck on your journey!

[KimberlyV 0]

Thank you Funky_Monkey800. I'm glad to hear that you have had positive results.

I know you have to be REALLY disciplined to make it work (healthier foods, smaller portions, chew well, exercise...). It can be a challenge, but I've done it before with the Roux-En-Y, so I know what I have to do.

Kimberly

[Jendkopp 62]

I got banded in 2012 and lost 90 pounds and then had a slip that required re-positioning surgery. For some people with bands, you never find the "green zone" of no hunger, and I was one of those people. My surgeon is now recommending removal b/c once my band slipped, I never lost weight again and I can't get fills b/c they just cause me to throw up. The other thing is that you have to have a really good doctor educate you on how the band works. If you have any pain while eating, you are too tight, which will lead to a slip. I don't think that bands are necessarily bad, I just think a lot of doctors don't seem to properly caution patients on the proper way to use that tool.

[Jendkopp 62]

***slipped with repositioning surgery July of 2014