Hi Everyone! Writing from Fort Worth, TX

Hi everyone

I am pretty new to this site. Getting ready to have revision surgery from lap band(already removed) to gastric bypass on May 5th! Just wanted to reach out to some of my gay brothers and sisters and say hi! I am so excited to finally be back on track again.

I started my journey in May of 2010 with the lapband. Unfortunately due to being given a staph infection during one of my fills,  I had to have the lap band removed in August of 2010 as the doctors couldnt remove all the staph infection( and it was severe) from my body as the staph could hide on the lapband itself.  You can imagine how bummed and angry I way about this as I had already lost over 50 lbs, but thats life.
 
I never thought my insurance would pay for another surgery but figured what the heck and started looking into it. My surgeon's office told me I would have to do the 6 mos supervised diet all over again and although frustrated I agreed. A week after telling me this they called and said I had been approved for bypass surgery! God works in mysterious ways. Anyway I am getting ready to start the pre-op diet next week and then surgery is May 5th. Sorry for the book just wanted to get this off my chest

Craig

Sounds like a tough journey!  Glad everything is back on track!

Thanks mst42 I appreciate your comment. Cant wait for surgery

Craig,

What an awful journey you've had!! I've had some staph infections before and, for me, they are very tough to get rid of. A lot of the antibiotics just don't work on me or I need much larger doses for longer periods of time.

Glad they were able to remove the lap to address that problem. However, it's amazing that the insurance is approving the RNY. I can imagine how excited and anxious you are. Believe me, RNY has been the best thing that's happened to me.

Best of luck and keep us informed on your progress.

Thanks one finger I appreciate your concern. The way I look at it everything in life happens for a reason. Maybe getting the staph infection was just my way to getting the surgery I really needed. I am very blessed that the insurance company is letting me get the RNY so I am just going to roll with it. Everyone I have talked to or read about says this is definitely the way to go so I am just glad I can begin my journey again!

Craig

We had our monthly support group last night. The doc presented some rather surprising stats on lap band. I mentioned your issue with the staph infection and he said that is more common than people think.

He also quoted one study that said 75% of lap band patients either convert to by-pass surgery or have the band removed within 10 years. His feeling was that lap is not a long-term solution nor the preferred method for people with a BMI over 30.

Hey Craig!  Sorry you had the staff infections with your band but really happy that you are able to get a revision so that you can continue to benefit from WLS.  Welcome to our rainbow corner of OH.

Thanks so much MusicMaryn I appreciate your support everyone on here is so nice and so supportive. How could I fail with all of you  cheering me on?

Craig

Best of Luck, Craig! Sorry you had such a bad experience, but at the same time they got you well. It is good news that your insurance provider sees the value of the surgery. I am sure you w ill do well considering you lost 50 pounds on the band in that short of time. --Tom

Thanks Ohbearly your right it is good news about the insurance company and I know this will be the surgery to get me where I want to go. Again with all of you nice people supporting me and cheering me on how could I fail? I really appreciate your concern and response.

Craig

P.S.  I have my pre-op meeting tomorrow yaaay!!!!