I've been experiencing difficulty with my band for over 9 months. Some days I can't eat anything, including liquids, other days I can eat a horse. I have NOTHING in my band now due to nothing passing through during my last x-ray session. Now my doctor says my band has slipped and needs to be replaced. He also said the reason I can eat so much is that all the food stays in my esophagus, which has essentially turned into a 2nd stomach. I feel like a cow with multiple stomachs!! However, my insurance will only pay to have the band removed and not replaced. Am I in danger by waiting to have this done? I'm afraid what will happen when I am bandless...... I initially lost close to 100 pounds and have gained about 30-40 back. HELP! Anyone else ever gone through this???

:help:

Larry I think I am in the same boat - well I'm not sure about an enlarged esophagus, but fears about gaining the weight.....I have been battling reflux and vomitting all fluids and liquids for about 2 months. Presently I'm waiting for my Dr's office to schedule an appt to see what's up (or down). I am disturbed to read in many of these posts that corrective measures start with an "unfill" for a period of weeks, then gradual fill, and then if necessary maybe surgery for repositing. I am very impatient and want this fixed this week, and the thought of any time where I am unrestricted has me freaking out. You hang in there and just get it all fixed. Hold on to the [positive thoughts about all the weight you have already lost and kept off, and you can reclaim the other lbs in no time

I've been experiencing difficulty with my band for over 9 months. Some days I can't eat anything, including liquids, other days I can eat a horse. I have NOTHING in my band now due to nothing passing through during my last x-ray session. Now my doctor says my band has slipped and needs to be replaced. He also said the reason I can eat so much is that all the food stays in my esophagus, which has essentially turned into a 2nd stomach. I feel like a cow with multiple stomachs!! However, my insurance will only pay to have the band removed and not replaced. Am I in danger by waiting to have this done? I'm afraid what will happen when I am bandless...... I initially lost close to 100 pounds and have gained about 30-40 back. HELP! Anyone else ever gone through this???

:help:

One issue I disagree with regarding many US docs is that they are pretty quick to remove/replace a band vs. repositioning it. There is a lock on the Inamed band (assuming that is the band you have) that many don't know how to open and relock. So they cut it off and replace it with a new one. Truth is, it can be unlocked, repositioned, and relocked.

Another possibility assuming the band is Inamed is to go ahead and let insurance pay to remove it and then you pay cash for the new band. Surgery will be covered, the only expense you should have is the band and that is going to be about $3500-$4K. That's doctor/hospital cost for the band from Inamed. J&J is a bit cheaper for now, they are giving deals on the bands to hospitals but most hospitals are not passing the savings on to the patients.

Might even be cheaper since you shouldn't have to replace the port or tubing.