experimental procedure is working well...

On January 10, 2011 I had and experimental procedure consisting of the lap band with plication. I lost 102 pounds before my surgery & around 175 pounds following surgery. But as most of you know the band is not intended for the super obese. So our game plan was to convert to another procedure once y weight loss came to a halt. year after surgery my weightloss was down to a crawl so it was time to submit to my insurance for the DS. After they finally approved it 6 months later my surgery date was set.

August 20, 2012 was my surgery date. It wasn'ta full conversion. I had the intestional part of the DS my I kept my band and plication. We felt that was a better option than cutting and shrinking the stomach when it was already smaller. I also had to have to have a port replacement. I have done well since my surgery losing over 30 pounds so far. But it's not without complications. Last week I was admitted into the hospital with an infection around my port. My body just doesn't want I guess. I saw my surgeon Wednesday. I still have an infection but it has gotte a little better. I have an appointment to see my surgeon again in 1 month. If the infection continues my port may have to be removed.

I know many a skeptical of new or experimental surgeries. But think of it this way, each and every one of these procedures had to begin somewhere. People had to be willing to be an experiment subject in order to create & perfect these procedures. I have no regrets about my choices. These procedures have helped me lose a total of 308 pounds and still counting.

Congrats on losing so much weight.

You *may* be OK without the band as the malabsorbtion of the DS allows for a larger stomach (VSGers have 85% removed whereas DSers have 75% removed). It'll be slow going if you're anything like me though, but at least it's going!!

Whilst it's not the cheapest or most effective way of doing things (2 step surgeries), it's better than doing nothing IMO.

Congratulations on losing which ever way you can!

Thanks girls! I know my surgeon & his staff are excited about my progress. Thry call me their star patient. I feel the option I chose saved my life. The first surgery was less invasive than RNY or DS. Either of them would have a higher risk with my high weight. Excited everytime I put o something & it's too big but do't want to ivest in many new clothes as much as I am losing. I've gone from 9X to 3X. Finally do't have to order everything I wear.

I'm delighted to hear that things are going well for you. However, I really, truly think that you could have avoiding having so many surgeries if you'd gone to a more experienced DS surgeon and just had the DS to begin with.

Keep up the good work and hope that the infection goes away.  If the port needs to be removed, will you just keep going with the plication or go with the VSG portion of the surgery?

Curious minds, ya know :-)