And how long should a band stay in? I’ve heard it should stay in for life but now I’m hearing 10 years?

Regain.

Slippage

Reflux

Erosion

Poor diet

Oesophageal failure

My surgeon told me that the average life span is approx 10 years. That eventually they all fail or cause issues. One of the disturbing things they are finding is the increase in oesophageal failure caused by the oesophagus having to work so hard to push food through. Also years of reflux can lead to cancer.

Many many reasons

I always had problems with getting stuck, I just dealt with that, but right around the 10 year mark I started getting insane nausea and reflux with projectile vomiting instead of just getting stuck. My band appears to be in place despite these sudden onset of symptoms. Even if something is wrong with mine, they don't make it anymore, so there are no replacement parts and I'd have to get it out. I honestly feel like my quality of life has gone down over the past year, so I'm choosing to revise.

That said, there are plenty of people that have had their bands in for well over 10 years and are still doing quite well. The thought is that they should stay in lifelong. I'd be interested in knowing how many revisions are because the band itself aged and failed versus the other symptoms causing people to seek revision.

I just had my band removed Monday and converted to sleeve. I had my band for 7 years. For me I lost about 80 but gained 30 back. I had it revised once due to vomiting because of my gallbladder. At that point they stitched it to my muscle and removed my gallbladder which now I wish they hadn’t stitched it to my muscles.I agree with the others in quality of life is diminished with the band for me. It took my surgeon 2 hours just to remove and get through scar tissue from the band. Sadly that means my recovery from this surgery is longer than most. I hope all goes well for you.

I had reflux and the band had started to migrate into the stomach already.

I went in thinking I'd be banded for life. That was my plan. However, I have been nauseated and vomiting off and on throughout the year which has made my band slip. Even though I have no saline for the past 8 months, I'm still nauseous. I'm not as big as I was when I was first banded. I don't have acid reflux, my esophagus is fine, however, last year, it was slightly swollen. I am currently prepping my body for this revision surgery I'm having next week.

Sorrynametaken, I could have written your post. My story is exactly the same. Mine is also 10 years old, and even with no fill in it I'm struggling to get food down. The barium swallow doesn't show any problems with dilation or slippage, but I still slime and vomit every other meal.

I thought it was going to last a lifetime but it's so stressful being hungry but dreading that next meal, and my surgeon thinks the stoma will eventually totally close off so even water can't pass, so I'm having it removed with a revision to a RNY. I know I'll never eat an average size meal again but I'm OK with that as long as I can do so without dread!

6 hours ago, JRT Mom said:

Sorrynametaken, I could have written your post. My story is exactly the same. Mine is also 10 years old, and even with no fill in it I'm struggling to get food down. The barium swallow doesn't show any problems with dilation or slippage, but I still slime and vomit every other meal.

I thought it was going to last a lifetime but it's so stressful being hungry but dreading that next meal, and my surgeon thinks the stoma will eventually totally close off so even Water can't pass, so I'm having it removed with a revision to a RNY. I know I'll never eat an average size meal again but I'm OK with that as long as I can do so without dread!

@JRT Mom It's sad how many people share our same story. I'm sorry it's been such a tough road for you! My doctor was telling me that sometimes the scar tissue under the band gets too tight and they actually have to go in and slice it to release the restriction on the stomach even after the band is already off. I'll be interested in seeing if that is what has happened with mine since I am also unfilled.

I am revising to the bypass next week. I never wanted to get the band out, but I realize I really need to take control over my life again. I feel like my band has been in control of me for way too long at this point. Do you know when you'll be revising? I really hope the bypass ends up being so much better for you!

Also, I live in NW VA, so howdy neighbor! I had my band done in Richmond, VA, but my bypass is going to be done in Winchester, VA.

Sorrynametaken, my surgery is Nov 20. Even though I jumped through all the insurance hoops when I got my band done I have to start over. Luckily (or unluckily) my BMI has crept up enough that between that and the two comorbidities I have developed in the past year (diabetes and high blood pressure) I will qualify for Medicare to pay for the removal and a RNY bypass.

I live in SW Virginia but am traveling to Reston, VA to have my bypass done. I got my band done locally but that surgeon has left hence the trip. But I really like the surgeon (Matthew Fitzer) but more importantly the office staff has their sh*t together and are easy to get in touch with, always return your calls, and work hard to make sure your personal and insurance needs are met. There are a lot of good surgeons out there, but if their office staff sucks it doesn't matter--the front end makes all the difference. I first saw a surgeon in Richmond but their office is a disaster area so I looked elsewhere and I'm glad I did!

OMG, next week?!? PLEASE keep in touch and let us know how it went!! Lots of positive vibes coming your way!!????

On 10/15/2019 at 4:57 PM, JRT Mom said:

Sorrynametaken, my surgery is Nov 20. Even though I jumped through all the insurance hoops when I got my band done I have to start over. Luckily (or unluckily) my BMI has crept up enough that between that and the two comorbidities I have developed in the past year (diabetes and high blood pressure) I will qualify for Medicare to pay for the removal and a RNY bypass.

I live in SW Virginia but am traveling to Reston, VA to have my bypass done. I got my band done locally but that surgeon has left hence the trip. But I really like the surgeon (Matthew Fitzer) but more importantly the office staff has their sh*t together and are easy to get in touch with, always return your calls, and work hard to make sure your personal and insurance needs are met. There are a lot of good surgeons out there, but if their office staff sucks it doesn't matter--the front end makes all the difference. I first saw a surgeon in Richmond but their office is a disaster area so I looked elsewhere and I'm glad I did!

OMG, next week?!? PLEASE keep in touch and let us know how it went!! Lots of positive vibes coming your way!!????

@JRT Mom I understand, my BMI and comorbidities qualified me, but I still had to do 7 months of weigh-ins, it went by so fast though! November 20 is so soon too!!

I don't think my band doctor still practices in Richmond. His practice was a fine tuned machine back then, but there's no telling what has happened in the past 11 years! I am very familiar with Reston! You can't go wrong having surgery in Northern VA! I consulted with 3 different practices and finally settled on the one in Winchester because the other 2 practices didn't feel like the right fit. I wasn't living in this area at the time, so it didn't occur to me to look in NOVA. It's so important to find a practice we can imagine seeing for the rest of our lives!

I will definitely keep everyone updated on how things go! I can't wait to hear how your surgery goes as well! Sending lots of positive vibes your way too! ?