After 5.5 years, band is coming out and revising to DS

I started this journey in May 2007. I really thought and truly believed that I this band would work for me. After one year I was so discouraged with minimal to no weight loss that I didn't come on this site anymore. I felt envious of all who were losing their weight and changing their lives. I didn't want to bring anyone down and be a "Debbie Downer". After my last unfill in July due to the same issues I have had with this darn thing the doc is the one who stopped me and said, "We need to stop this....we need to look into something that will work for you." I do not take being a failure at anything lightly. I take my work, family and everything I do and am involved in to the top. I got back on this website and have been on here ever since.

On Jan 24th, 2013 MY LIFE WILL CHANGE FOREVER. The DS is permanent. I first picked the band because it was the least invasive out of all. I was scared of being cut on the insides. Now I am making sure that I am choosing the best procedure for ME and making sure that I will be at a normal and healthy weight.

I am lucky. I paid for my band in Mexico back in 2007 because my insurance did not cover. Now, with a different insurance my revision is covered and got my approval phone call last Friday. For those who feel like there is no hope....there may be. I think parts of the whole waiting 5 years..almost 6 now I feared that my hubby's insurance wouldn't cover it and having to explain this to my wonderful husband that I failed at something and perhaps I would add another bill to the stack we have (band has been paid for long ago)....a bill because my body loves my fat. Look into your insurance bc things have changed since 2007.

I will stick with this site because the peeps on here encourage me. I hope that someday I may encourage someone else going through the same. I will not give up. I wish all of you well. Friend me if you want. i need all that I can get. I will post pre-op pics and post op. I don't think I have to dig out pre and post op band ones....I weigh the same as I did back then. Good luck to you all;)

I really hope the data on him here is incorrect because it says he has only done 7 DS's.  Believe me when I tell you that you don't want an inexperienced surgeon doing a DS on you.  I know what I am talking about.  Go to dsfacts.com and look for a vetted surgeon who has the experience you need to have a successful surgery.

I also suggest you look for prior DS patients of his and see how they are doing.  It may not be easy if their are only 7 out there but you need to know what you are getting into.  You wouldn't want to be the 8th patient of a cardiologist if you were having heart surgery or the 8th patient of a surgeon doing brain surgery on you.  The DS is much more complicated the a RNY and it takes a certain skill set to be good at it.  I wouldn't want to be part of a surgeon's learning curve.