QUESTION ON THE LAP BAND AFTER THE RNY?

I have had gastric by-pass 6 yrs. ago. I was 396lbs. I lost 215 in 15 mo. About 3 yrs. ago I started gaining weight. I have now gained 100lbs. back. Is it possible to have the lapband after already having the by-pass. Please does anyone know? Thanks

Hello Sharon, I'm sorry to hear that you have gained some weight back. This does happen for a variety of reason including mechanical failure in the sizing of the stoma. The RNY is now a group of procedures and it's changed a great deal in the last few years. If may be possible to revise and retain your bypass and you can have a band placed around our RNY pouch. There are a few former bypass patients now with lap bands on the lap band forum. The newest one is Paula Pritchard and she is posting to both the lap band board and the Arizona state board. I wish you well in your journey. I'm a lap band postop, but I realize the most important aspect of this issue is getting back to our wls recovery and success. Onward! Frances

Francis, Thank-you for your help. I am going to go see my Dr. to see what the next step would be. My insurance paid 100% on my by-pass so I don't know if they would approve having anything else done. Congrads on your weight loss. Glad to hear that you are doing so well. God Luck Sharon

Sharon, Once insurance covers the procedures, it's not a "get it right once" type thing. I'm sure you have lots of options because it was a covered procedure. Your doctor is the right starting point for your inquiry because they can look at your bypassed stomach and see if anything can be easily fixed or modified. I feel good about your prospects and it may include keeping the bypass setup. I've had some serious bumps in the road since my lap band and I hope this will be my first surgery-free year (except plastics, maybe) since I've started. On paper, I'm not huge success, but I do know I've overcome some things that are not routine to this progress. You can also. All my best and please keep in touch, Frances