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I'm sorry you're having this difficulty. I didn't have the virus you mentioned, but I was never able to successfully have my band filled. My stomach would swell and I'd be unable to as much as swallow water. At times it was hard to even swallow my own saliva.
I had my band removed 2 years ago because it was placed incorrectly and caused much damage to my system. I haven't had a revision for fear of further damaging my body.
I wish you the best with your revision surgery. I hope it works well for you. Have you looked into either the Duodenal Switch or the Gastric Sleeve, as well? Not to say that the RnY isn't the best choice for you, of course.
Good luck Laura.
Nicci
I suggest you join the group and read for awhile. You might change your mind about things. Then again, you might not.
Yes, I do wish I could have lost the weight with exercise like I used to be able to control the weight. After my accident, that has not been an option. Walking is a luxury. Laying down is a norm.
Would I do this barbaric surgery again? NO! And I am one of the few who have few complications like chronic diarrhea and constant nausea only. Most throw up alot or are constipated often or bowel obstructions. Then you have the malabsorbtion issues.
I even stopped coming to this site because of all the cheerleaders and the flames that I received from posting MY realities.
http://www.lapsf.com/weight-loss-surgeries.html
Weight regain may be more likely than in other procedures if dietary modifications not adopted for life on VSG. Utilized for high risk or very heavy (BMI > 60 kg/m2) patients as a "first-stage" procedure.
I've read that a lot of VSG end up doing DS or RNY because they gain back the weight they lost or just aren't happy with the VSG. Yes, RNY is a permanent thing and there is malabsorption. But if you stay current with your bloodwork and labs and take the correct vitamins, you should be fine. I'm so glad I did the RNY!! 50 lbs gone in less than 2 months!!!
After that little stint, I started throwing up most of what I ate. I estimated I was able to keep down about 600 calories a day which threw my body into starvation mode and I have gained back every single one of the 50lbs I had lost in the past year.
I had 8.5mL in my 10mL band. I ended up having to have every drop of that saline taken out. Even now, with nothing in there, something will get stuck once a week or so.
I'm not sure what to do! I've started the wheels for a revision to RnY. I'm not sure that's what I want but I wanted to get it started just in case.
Has anyone delt with this virus or something similar?
Hi Wendy,
I am sitting here at my computer looking for some answers to some anxieties I am feeling right now. I am 4 days post-op. I'm trying to get it all down. Thankfully, I don't have major health issues, just high risks, such as borderline diabetes, high BP, sleep apnea, depression. I am trying to understand everything about the surgery I just had and what I did. I think most of my anxieties are in my head and are full of "what if's" Last year, I went through intense therapy and learned a lot about myself and how I react to life events. You have been through a lot and your fears are real but I think it would be helpful to seek some counseling. It always helped me to speak to someone who was not emotionally attached to me. It is hard to stop that negative voice in our heads once it starts. Try not to focus on the negatives too much as hard as that might be. Take care and God Bless. We are here to help one another.
Michele
on 8/29/08 12:38 pm - MI
Thank you for your reply. I have researched the DS as well. I am just not sure I want to go through that much risk with the take down of the pouch and the reconstruct. Especially if it is the shorter common channel that will aid in the long term success. I have researched the Dr.s here in MI. There are some who do perform the DS. The only concern I have is that there are not many who have a lot of experience in revisions. Some only as many as 20 or less procedures done, I believe the highest number I was able to find was one Dr who performed about 41. And these were lap bands and VSG. With the revision being risker I would be more comfortable with a Dr. who has performed many.
KAREN W.
I LOVE MY DS!!!!!
STRIVE TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE AND DO THE BEST THAT YOU CAN.
Check out www.dsfacts.com and www.duodenalswitch.com for all the accurate information on the great DS, and find surgeons in your area or around the country or out of the country.
I couldn't have done without all the great peeps on this board.
SW: 234.5 CW: 157 GW: 140 - ish