Lap Band Reversal????

[mikmor68]

I had the Lap Band surgery in Dec. of 2012 and I have had nothing but problems....I did initially loose about 45 lbs., but ultimately had the fill removed after getting sick at each meal. I am roughly at the same weight as I was prior to the Lap Band. I am working with my insurance on a Lap Band reversal and my EGD is scheduled for Wednesday. I am hoping to have the Band taken out in early March. After a 90 day period, my doctor says that the scaring from the band will reside and he will be able to do the Gastric Sleeve.

Has anyone else gone through the Lap Band reversal?

[N2DVN]

I didn't have it but there were a couple of patients that did when I was having my sleeve. I think it is smart for your doc to want to wait in b/t removal and sleeve. One of the guys that was supposed to have the sleeve when I did couldn't b/c his band had done so much damage, Almanza removed it and told him to come back in 6 months.

From what I understand, you are very smart to get rid of the band! You will love your sleeve! Best Wishes!

[apythia]

I was lap banded in 2009 and almost 5 years to the day I had it removed. About 5 weeks after that I was sleeved. Sleeved life is very similar to being lap banded, only because I have extreme restriction (I can only eat about 1.5-1.75 oz where others at the same point as me are regularly eating 4+ oz) so I spend more time than I would like counting protein, calories, liquid, etc. And I already tracked everything I ate for the past 5 years.

I am losing weight with the sleeve, but I also lost weight with the band (it slipped and eroded into my stomach). I am having complications from the surgery. I am in the minority however. I am seeing a specialist who thinks that part of my stomach damaged by the lap band was not removed during surgery so scar tissue might be causing me all sorts of problems. I am also having intestinal issues which may or may not be a result of the surgery.

It's also pretty common for people who have had a previous weight loss surgery to lose slower than others and that is definitely the case with me. We were already on a restrictive diet so not all of us have that initial dramatic weight loss.

Now I am not saying my experience is the norm by any means. If you search lap band in the forums, you'll find a lot of different experiences.

I am so relieved the band is gone. I don't regret that at all. I am still on the fence about the sleeve. But again, that's my personal story.