I have been thinking a great deal about my lap band and the struggles I've had for the last few years.

I had my lap band surgery in 2013. I lost 60 lbs and everything was great until 2017, when I traveled to Hawaii. The flight messed with my lap band and since then I can't seem to get it right. I had another surgery to fix the placement of the lap band because it slipped but that still hadn't gotten me back to my original success. Since this time, I've had fills and defills and nothing seems to work. I travel allot (before Covid) and the flights always mess with my lap band. Right now, I am waiting for another fill but can't get it because of Covid. However, I'm having issues with the band. Some days I can't eat anything, not even coffee, the next day I'm starving and everything goes through, bread, pasta, chicken etc. I checked in with my Dr, and she says that stress and hormones are a factor in the band tightening. Well, I'm hitting menopause so my hormones fluctuate ALLOT.

I have diligently tried everything. I have been following all the rules, eating protein; small bites, chewing etc. I'm getting tired of this constant back and forth. And to top it off, I'm gaining weight again.

I am considering having the band removed. A friend suggested revision surgery to gastric bypass. She had it done and she doesn't have any problems anymore. I also heard that some have the gastric sleeve.

What does this group suggest?

Hey Guys, I am in a similar boat. Had a lap band put in Dec 2014, started at 300lbs and was able to get down to 240, I have started to gain back a little because the band just isn't working for me anymore, not to mention the torture it has put me through over the last few years. I still want to lose weight and with my medical conditions, they make it difficult for me to do so on my own. So now I'm considering reverting my band to the sleeve. I've been doing a ton of research, which includes popping back onto this site to speak to people who are going through the same. While the sleeve has a great overall effect on weight loss, it is still a scary notion to be cutting out most of your stomach! I can't put my finger on what exactly worries me the most, but the healing process post-op and quality of life after...I know losing weight will be a much healthier better quality of life, but will I be able to ever enjoy food again? I'm a 31 y/o female who enjoys the occasional dinner out and drinks with friends and the lap band has kind of ruined that for me. If that first bite you eat doesn't hit the right spot then there goes my meal, and if I'm not around my friends who know what's up it is embarrassing. How have your social lives been after the sleeve? I know you are much more limited in how much you can eat but is anyone having issues with certain kinds of foods or where food doesn't go down or comes back up or discomfort? I would like to get my life back again and lose weight and get rid of my medical problems while I'm at it.

Thank you in advance for all of your advice and wisdom! -Becca

7 minutes ago, Tribecca26 said:

Hey Guys, I am in a similar boat. Had a lap band put in Dec 2014, started at 300lbs and was able to get down to 240, I have started to gain back a little because the band just isn't working for me anymore, not to mention the torture it has put me through over the last few years. I still want to lose weight and with my medical conditions, they make it difficult for me to do so on my own. So now I'm considering reverting my band to the sleeve. I've been doing a ton of research, which includes popping back onto this site to speak to people who are going through the same. While the sleeve has a great overall effect on weight loss, it is still a scary notion to be cutting out most of your stomach! I can't put my finger on what exactly worries me the most, but the healing process post-op and quality of life after...I know losing weight will be a much healthier better quality of life, but will I be able to ever enjoy food again? I'm a 31 y/o female who enjoys the occasional dinner out and drinks with friends and the lap band has kind of ruined that for me. If that first bite you eat doesn't hit the right spot then there goes my meal, and if I'm not around my friends who know what's up it is embarrassing. How have your social lives been after the sleeve? I know you are much more limited in how much you can eat but is anyone having issues with certain kinds of foods or where food doesn't go down or comes back up or discomfort? I would like to get my life back again and lose weight and get rid of my medical problems while I'm at it.

Thank you in advance for all of your advice and wisdom! -Becca

I'm sure some of our experienced patients can offer some insight on this. I feel that bypass is the way to go for me, because i have issues with GERD. We just need to really follow all the rules and make an effort to eat consciously. This will ensure the final surgery is successful in the long run.