2 years lapband, nothing lost. Going in for bypass consult

I was afraid to get a gastric bypass but now that I have pre diabetes, I am determined to get this weight off. I am not letting fear in, I am capable hands with Dr.Poplawski who did everything in his power to get the band to work for me.  Once I got to the 'sweet spot' I couldn't eat at all. So, back to filling out forms!

Be positive, keep looking for what works.

I'm so sorry to hear your have difficulties, Rose. If you couldn't eat at all, it definitely wasn't the 'sweet spot.' This is the the perfect place for eating without pain, but with good restriction.

I had my band for about three years and had problems with swelling and restriction. I never got pass 1.5 cc in my 2 cc band and it was mostly empty or with less than 1 cc in it.

I wish this forum wasn't called "Failed Weight Loss Surgery" because we are far from failures and the band process isn't a failure in my case because the changes made and routines established are serving me greatly after my revision to the sleeve. I didn't have to go through the learning curves again of learning how to eat slowly, discovering what to eat and how much and having those dreaded bouts of pain, PBs and the foamies.

I have been diabetic for 9 years after several years of being borderline or having impaired insulin resistance. This morning, my blood sugar was 108 and I am more than 100 pounds lighter than my pre-band weight. I have lost nearly 75 pounds since my revision five months ago. I'm not just lighter, but I'm heathier with great vitamin levels, lowered blood pressure and an awesome need for a hair cut (or at least to thin it out).

I applaud your efforts to remain positive and pursue wellness.

Onward!
Frances

It took 1.5 years to get proper restriction, then it was too much or not enough. So perhaps there was no sweet spot for me. Alot of PBing though. Then, in July, I don't know what happened but I vomited for a long time and ended up in the hospital. I didn't see my surgeon but I should of. I was severely dehydrated.

Onwards and upwards! Congratulations on your success!

Rose

Hi Rose,

Youv'e come to far to give up or go pessimistic. Every surgery has different results when it comes to losing weight at a certain speed. Relax and regroup, visit your doctor, get some professional advice on what the next step should be but don't quit on yourself or go negative. You got over the hard part just have to find what works for you in this particular situation. Let me know if I can be of some asistance to you.

Helping you on your journey,

Rdane

Hi Frances, if I am reading this right, do I understand you had a lapband and then a revision to gastric? That is what I am contemplating and I'd like to know someone who's been down this road.

Hello Andrea,

After the lapband, I was revised to the vertical gastric sleeve. Banding does work, but it didn't work for me (and from your profile, I see you had a similar experience.)

All of the practices and lifestyle methods of the band are serving me well with the sleeve. I am not anti-gastric bypass or against the concept of the DS. I am extreme intestinal scarring and adhedsions that would have made those two methods much more difficult "in my case."

I am not advocating or pushing my route, however. I was blessed to find a series of routes that are currently working for me. I pray you find the same -- your road, your solution.

All my best,
Frances

 Thanks for the response Frances, yeah lapband didn't work out for me and it was terribly depressing for  me. It made me feel like such a failure, as did my surgeon. It took me quite some time time to come out of the emotional turmoil of that experience. I am hopeful bypass will work for me if we can get the procedure approved by my insurance. As far as my insurance company is concerned I am a failure, t hat is what they said in their letter, I failed to achieve results. I know this isn't true, but it is hard to beat them. I'll  keep you posted.

Take Good Care,

Andrea

Please research the DS before you go bypass.  Cures diabetes... better long term results.

www.dsfacts.com

 

After three miserable years with the band I had a revision to the DS.  I have a normal life again.  DO consult with a surgeon who does ALL FOUR weight loss surgeries to determine what's best for you.  As much as you like this surgeon, unless he does all four (and he doesn't) he can't offer you whatever is best for you.  He can only offer you whatever else it is HE does.

Sue

I had my band for over 5 years with success and little to no complications, but late in year 4 I started to gain weight back, finally did a barium swallow test and saw that the band had slipped and was no longer in its proper place. In Feb of 09 we did a revision surgery to put the band back in its original place. Subsequent fills to almost band capacity did not enable me to lose the weight gained from the slip. Oct of 09 my surgeon declared my band a failure and the week of thanksgiving 09 we converted the lapband to gastric bypass.  I am now two weeks out and feel great, on to start my new journey....