Due to some complications that have been occuring over the past year, and my new inability to keep anything down my surgeon is recommending that I have my band removed, or at least revised to a RNY. I need some feed back. My fear of removing it is that I will gain all of my weight back. I have to have surgery anyway because my gall bladder is full of gall stones. I was hoping that we would just take out the gall bladder and see, but he really thinks there is more to my problem than this. I have had my band since 11-18-03 and have lost 140 pounds.

Sally,

How hard did you have to fight to get the band? I know that I am waiting and waiting and hoping and hoping.

You have been so successfull with the band - and have only recently had problems. I know if it were me, I would wait on removing the band until after the gall bladder surgery was done and healed.

I guess I just want to get a band so much that I can't get behind the idea of giving one away...

Whatever you decide, I hope you feel better, soon!

:]

Sally, I've never had gall bladder problems, but I've heard many people say that the removal of their gall bladders helped them immensely with a whole range of health issues. I'm with everyone who says to have that taken care of and just leave the band empty but in place for the time being.

There is nothing wrong with your band, remember? So why remove it? It's part of your body now and removing it might itself lead to more problems. Gall bladder surgery might go a very long way toward improving your health, so do that first and see.

My thoughts are with you with crossed fingers that your gall bladder is the culprit, and your band stays with you for many years to come. Congratulations on losing 140 lbs!!!

It took a while to find a surgeon and I had to go two hours from my home to do it, since no one does it closer. I really didn't have that much of a fight to get it as my BMI was so high and my parental history, both are insulin dependent diabetics, along with numerous other problems. It was also a rider in my insurance, which my employer at the time didn't know, so I got it just in time. The point is that I am not ready to give up but I am afraid that my surgeon is getting frustrated with me and I wanted other input to speak to him about, to hopefully convince him to stick with me and stick it out.

to hopefully convince him to stick with me and stick it out.

Oh, it might just be time to beg and grovel for your band. If there is nothing otherwise wrong with your band (slip, erosion) then he should work with you on trying to keep it. Just give it a try and get healed up from your gall bladder surgery. Maybe cry a little?

Wow, I'm on pins and needles! Please let us know!!!

Isnt it possible that

A that band you have may be a bit to small so it is tight on its own? and maybe you dont need fills, very few are like that but it is possible,,

Or if you have had all this irritation=swelling then of course a fill will make it tighter and also a fill irritates things even more, etc,,, sounds like a viscious circle you are going through....

Good luck,,, I too would keep the band and try to get better with out the gall bladder.....

I'll add my two cents worth and agree with the opinion that you should have the gallbladder removed first. Fully recuperate from that with no fill in the band and see how things go.

Who would pay for another band if he takes this one out, only to discover that there was nothing wrong with it to begin with? Also, I really don't understand why he is assuming that there is something wrong with the band when the symptoms are exactly the same as gall stones. I would certainly clarify that part with him, because if he takes out your gall bladder and your band at the same time, you will never know if there really was something wrong with the band.

You are obviously an intelligent and educated woman. Don't quit asking the questions you need answers to for fear of offending your surgeon. If he's as good as you say he is and I'm sure he is, he will not be offended and will be willing to explain things so that you are satisfied with the decision you need to make.

Good Luck, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Cindy

Oh, it might just be time to beg and grovel for your band. If there is nothing otherwise wrong with your band (slip, erosion) then he should work with you on trying to keep it. Just give it a try and get healed up from your gall bladder surgery. Maybe cry a little?

Wow, I'm on pins and needles! Please let us know!!!

Why should she have to beg and grovel - I'd be flat out TELLING the Dr. I'm keeping my band for now until I deem a decision otherwise and please go ahead with the Gall Bladder surgery and we'll discuss removal of the band at a later date. Why is he pushing so hard so soon when he doesn't have proof that its the band causing problems - I'd be getting a 2nd or 3rd opinion - I understand you like and trust this Dr. but they are not always correct and that's hard to realize when you like and trust someone so much - if he pushes for the removal on weds w/ your gallbladder - I'd tell him flat out you'd like a second opinion before he removes it - if he has a problem with it - then so be it - don't let the fact that you searched through 5 different surgeons to find this one - there are others out there who can help you. Dont' let that stop you I'd fight to keep it for sure at least for awhile after the gallbladder or he could prove w/ evidence that it is the band for sure!

Gallbladder symtoms can vary significantly between people.

As an example my husband (unbanded) was hospitalized 2 years ago with constant vomiting, lots of pain, and a complete shutdown of his digestive system. In the hospital they put in a stomach tube because even saliva would make him vomit and kept him on IV's so that he wouldn't get dehydrated. He was in horrible shape (and this from a guy who doesn't complain). After 4 days and no improvement, they assumed (tests I was told wouldn't confirm this) he had a kink in his large intestine. So he was scheduled for emergency surgery the next morning. Well low and behold after exploratory surgery for 4 hrs they discovered the problem was his gallbladder. Unfortunately he had been slit from steam to stern to discover it. The surgeon hadn't thought the symtoms matched gall bladder attacks and the duration didn't either. I realize this was a very long story, but it shows how doctors can be fooled by the source of problems.

I would do as 'the best of me' suggested "I would remove the gallbladder, heal, no fill at all, and see how you do . . . and while you are banded, never take pills again without crushing them" - you know almost everything is available in liquid or chewable.

Boy I sure wouldn't have the RNY when you already have undiagnoised stomach/intestinal issues.

So that's my two cents. I hope you feel better soon, and congrats on the amazing weight loss.

Boy I sure wouldn't have the RNY when you already have undiagnoised stomach/intestinal issues.

I really agree with this. RNY is only MORE drastic.

I sure hope everything works out well for you. Please let us know what you decide and how you're doing after the surgery!

DeLarla--I'm not sure what you mean by maintenance issues w/ the band. Other than eating slower, not taking aspirin or drinking carbonated drinks what maintenance issues do you have? I know you don't currently have a fill--but I've never had a fill and the band is still helping me to lose. Maybe you should come out and see Dr Billy in Ventura if you need follow-up? Lots of people seem to think well of him.

Please don't give up yet.

I'm so amazed how long it took some ppl to get diagnosed with gall stones/ gallbladder problems.. i was at the hospital for 2 hours and they did 3 differnt tests and instantly new what it was. The ER doc knew from teh get go but had to confirm it.. they also did ultrasound on my kidneys to double check to make sure that wasnt part of it

Why should she have to beg and grovel - I'd be flat out TELLING the Dr. I'm keeping my band for now until I deem a decision otherwise and please go ahead with the Gall Bladder surgery and we'll discuss removal of the band at a later date.

You go girl!! Good spunk! You should go with her to see the doc!! Man, I'd take you with me, that's for sure. I'd probably still cry, though

You go girl!! Good spunk! You should go with her to see the doc!! Man, I'd take you with me, that's for sure. I'd probably still cry, though

Call me up anytime you need backup! I will take a certain amount of guff from people, but when I've had enough or something is completely off the wall - I'll shoot straight from my mouth after that and tell it like it is!

Ok, I just spoke to my doctor. I told him about the input from this group and my late night research on gall bladders. I told him that I trusted him completely and that I am having a hard time with even the thought of losing my band. After a long discussion he agreed to removing the gall bladder tommorrow and waiting to see what happens. So I'm crossing my fingers and praying that it will all go away. I will be calling Ginger tomorrow night after the surgery and let her know so she may post what happened. Thank you all so much for your input and encouragement.

Sally

I was crabby and tired when I reponded yesterday. I do not suggest that anyone else gets their band removed. I'm just worn out and exhausted with mine. It's been too much of a struggle being a self-pay. Sure, I've got Slumber Parties money coming in, but I hope to "enjoy" life for a change instead of spending every last cent on medical bills. I need a vacation, not just a wild weekend getaway. Billy is great, but he's also in another state.

I'm not making immediate choices. Just thinking outloud and there's no possible way I'm mentally or physically prepared for another surgery, so a new port is out of the question. Gimme a few months and I might change my mind.

Plan A-remove the gall bladder, heal, no fill at all, and see how you do. If it's still horrible, remove the band. And while you are banded, never take pills again without crushing them.

I agree with plan A

This is your bodym you make the decisions, no one else. atleast see if it was just gallstones and gallbladder problems before removing the band.

Oh and I'm curious as to why the Dr. you saw in the ER told you your band was not working? Cal me crazy but losing 140 lbs...something is working.