2 ANNIVERSARIES FOR THIS OLD-TIMER!!!

Hi OH Community:

I'm writing to BRAG -  or maybe "CELEBRATE" is the better word!  When it comes to the test of time, there probably aren't too many post-ops in this community who are as long in the tooth as I am when it comes to surgery.  I got some years on me and that's what I'm bragging - errrr - celebrating!

I'm very excited to be celebrating 2 separate anniversaries in the upcoming weeks. 

In early June I will be celebrating NINETEEN YEARS POST-OP from my "open" RNY gastric bypass.  

Starting BMI 59+

Current BMI 33

YAY!  So for any naysayers out there wondering about REALLY LONG-TERM patients, we're out here - healthier - happier and doing just great, thank you very much!

The other anniversary is this week because I'm celebrating TEN YEARS POST-OP REVISION OF MY RNY WITH A "BAND OVER BYPASS" 

Like so many others I struggled with feeling like a "FAILURE" and wondered if I was deserving of a second chance.  I was one of the first 20 banded bypasses in the US so I was definitely unsure (SCARED!!) what would happen.  For me, this has been a WONDERFUL combination.

YAY!  So for anyone who is suffering those same feelings about weight re-gain or not having the outcome you wanted, keep strong and investigate all the options out there - - so many more than there were "back in the day."  You CAN do it!  And you DESERVE it!

Peace and Best Wishes to everyone on the journey to better health and quality of life! 

Congratulations!!! Thanks for sharing. I do have a question for you. When they put the band over the bypass, had your pouch stretched, did they not make them as small 19 years ago or was your pouch reduced even smaller than the "egg-sized" shape I keep reading about?

I'm in the pre-op stage and very happy to read your success. I'm torn between the RNY and sleeve but very interested in hearing stories of long-term success, which of course there isn't enough info available for the sleeve.

 

My RNY was "open" (lap gastric bypass didn't exist back then) and while the initial pouch stretched somewhat it was explained to me that I had a "gastro-gastric fistula" which was a complication that increased my ability to eat in greater volume.  Putting a band "over" the bypass was a fairly radical idea but it was a far safer option (at least to me) than revising or converting my RNY.  Because of the work we do I had the benefit of getting expert opinions from the world's leading bariatric surgeons regarding how they would handle this hypothetical "client" I had and their opinions were all over the place but I'm thrilled with the combination. 

Good luck with your decision.  Hope this helps.

Thank you. It helps a lot!

Hey, Walter, Congratulations! When Kelley told me you were **19 years** post op, I was floored. That is wonderful.

What a blessing that I found this post. I'm getting band over bypass in a week. I'm not "fat" yet but I don't want to be and I'm gaining by the day.

Any words of wisdom are welcome. Congrats!!!!