• American Bariatrics is a free online Bariatric Support Group. Register for your free account and get access to all of our great features!

New here, hello everyone

H

heides

Member
Had lap band 5years ago and within a year lost 151lbs, afterwards I had it removed because of terrible Gerd and inability to keep even fluids down. I maintained a reasonable weight for 3years on my own but, just gained 35lbs ugh!!! I'm working with bariatric specialist right now and I was hoping to get some pros and cons on gastric sleeve. Thanks
 
Hi Heides, welcome! I had the lapband done 8-9 years ago. I did okay with it initially but then started having problems with it and had all the restriction taken out. Unfortunately I regained a lot more weight back than you did so you are smart to see what you can do about it now. Already I am liking the sleeve much better than the band. I'm still kind of new in the process as I had my surgery last June but so far I don't have any complaints about the sleeve.
 
Thank you for the reply JudyNY and 3momchaos. I went to my bariatric doctor yesterday and decided to reattach the band. When I initially put it in, I had issues with it right off the bat. I used a cosmetic surgeon back then that was so excited that I was dropping a ton of weight and never listened to me when I told him that I couldn't keep anything down, not even liquids. I'm hoping that with this bariatric specialist, education and experience I can make this work. Wish me luck.
 
I hesitated to answer since I had already stated above that I found the sleeve to be much better than the band. However after reading Diane's post I have to agree and wonder if trying the band again is going to be any different than before. Is there another bariatric surgeon that you could get a second opinion from? Our center here doesn't even do lapbands any longer. I also know people who had to have their lapbands removed as an emergency surgery due to complications. Do you have any concerns about the sleeve? If so, ask away here and we may be able to give you more information to help you make a decision.
 
dianeseattle said:
Why would you reattach the band when you had so many problems with it? I didn't even think the band still existed because so many doctors will not use it. Have you really given a strong consideration to the sleeve gastrectomy and the roux-en-y gastric bypass? They are really good for you and very permanent. I think they're a much better choice for your body.

I didn't respond to your post initially because I didn't have a gastric sleeve. I went the whole nine yards with a roux-en-y procedure done openly, leaving a 7in scar. But I do not regret it at all and I have had no trouble with it. I lost 110 lb which is all I needed to lose and I am so glad I made that choice.

I think the gastric band is a very dangerous thing that is destined for failure. I believe that you would get better results from the gastric sleeve and both procedures have to be done at least a little bit surgically. So, this is just a rhetorical question, but why are you going back to have another band put in when the first one failed you?
Click to expand...
You know Diane I have racked my brain thinking about this. Ill give you a little back story. A plastic surgeon was the one that initially put my band in and when I would go into his office he praised the amount of weight I was loosing and tell me how were going to do tummy tucks and boob lift yada..yada. I on the other hand i would tell him I can keep anything down and was constantly vomiting. He told me that it was normal and to eat softer foods and drink shakes. SHAKES?? I couldn't keep those down. Long story short, after 155 lb weight loss I couldn't handle it and made him remove it. Instead of removing it completely he just un hooked it but, left it in. Forward 4years I maintained @170lbs which I'm happy with but recently I've gained 40lbs. Stress, covid?? Its my own fault.
I had a ah ha moment when talking to a coworker about his band. He told me he had 1.3ml in his band. WHAT?? I realized then how aggressive the Dr. was at filling my band. He kept it completely full almost the whole time. I didn't get the education or work with a dietician and a psychologist like he did. I work with a handful of people who have had good results from it.
I spoke to the bariatric specialist im working with, he went over my EDG report and CT scan and suggested re-attach what is already there and work very conservatively to achieve a balance. He offered the sleeve first but knew I was hesitant about that procedure. I have family members that got the sleeve and one the RNY. One gained all thier weight back and the other most.
I guess I just want to try using what I have the right way, with a dr. that understands my past and isn't trying to sell me something. I also know I need to advocate for myself and keep my eye on the adjustments and how they make me feel vs. how they make me look. So here I am and hopefully I can do this the right way. Thanks for listening
 
Heides, it makes more sense now hearing the rest of the story. Looks like that plastic surgeon was only trying to set up his next surgeries on you. It's horrible that he never listened to you about how you felt. I get where you are coming from now and can understand your decision. I wish you all the best and hope you will let us know when you are scheduled for surgery.
 
JudyNY said:
Heides, it makes more sense now hearing the rest of the story. Looks like that plastic surgeon was only trying to set up his next surgeries on you. It's horrible that he never listened to you about how you felt. I get where you are coming from now and can understand your decision. I wish you all the best and hope you will let us know when you are scheduled for surgery.
Click to expand...
Thanks JudyNY, I will. Im thinking of starting a video diary of my journey. I'll keep everyone in the loop. ‍♀️
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top