Anyone 3+ years out? (Xpost to VSG)

When did you have your surgery? September, 30, 2005

Was it your first wls, or revision? First

How much weight did you want to lose? 130 pounds, I started at 326

How much did you lose after the first year? 100 pounds

Did you reach goal? No I did not reach a normal BMI, however I was very pleased and healthy and happy wearing a size 10/12 at 5’8 inches tall, I can maintain a size 10/12 without much effort and killing myself at the gym so it works for ME.

Have you regained weight?  If so, how much, and did you take it back off? I did gain back 30 pounds  in my 4^th year due to sadly learning my previous surgery was REVISION HAPPY and

did not fill me properly, I did not want to believe it since I trusted and liked him so much, after I got my band emptied in 2008 after a unrelated surgery I never got back to my sweet spot I would either be too tight or too loose, when I was too tight I would  have night time reflux and vomiting and this would put my band health at risk so I would go back right away and get saline removed and when I would get it removed I would not have enough restriction for the band to be effective so we played that yo-yo unfil refill game and missing saline until I had enough for and requested my medical records and changed to a BAND ONLY SURGEON and it has been sailing every since I changed surgeons! After two fills with my new surgeon and 5 years later, I have perfect long lasting restriction again and I have lost 20 pounds since my last fill, I don’t think I will ever need a fill again, I hope to never get it unfilled, I am at perfect restriction.

Have you had any nutritional deficiencies, and how did you handle it? No nutritional deficiencies, my life is normal as if I never had weight loss surgery, I don’t take any medications for high blood pressure or any illnesses, I take a mult vitamin about 3 times per week, I should take it daily, but I am healthy as a lamb and very happy and very lucky to have my band limiting my food to about 5 oz at nearly 6 years post op and I have just squeezed back into my size 12 jeans in this picture without much effort .

 I just wanted to say thanks to everyone *****sponded to my thread, even those who can't read, lol.

" I have posted this on the VSG forum, too, so if you are currently a VSGer, can you please respond there?  I would appreciate it if this thread is for the people who currently have a lap band."

I think I got more response from VSGers on this thread than the one on that forum!  Of course, I know that there aren't as many veteran VSG people, because its only been a few years that it's been more commonly available.  Plus they told me to go to some other VSG board, but didn't provide info on where it is.  

I've been reading both boards for some time, and I have to say that I give you folks on the lap band forum a lot of credit for your patience.  I sure don't see anyone with lap band over on the VSG forum pointing it out every time has a problem over there, and telling them if they would have gotten a band they'd be better off.  

I am still concerned about the long-term results of any wls.  I know the band gets a bad rap sometimes, but I've seen how effective it can be, and like the fact that it can be adjusted as necessary, whether to release saline for getting pregnant or recovering from surgery or cancer, or to get more restriction to get a grip on re-gain, even years out.  I keep hearing "think twice, cut once", but I'd rather someone "think twice, and not cut at all (lap openings excluded)".  Keep that stomach intact, and go with the band.  Even though there are complications to be aware of, they usually can be fixed, and the patient can continue to thrive, as is shown abundantly on this thread.  And if you're one of the unlucky ones who has to have the band removed, and you can't get another one (or don't want to), then the band is removable, and you can revise to any other type of weight loss option (which may not even currently exist).

You know, a lot of people jump on the hottest "new" thing, only to find out later that they maybe jumped too soon.  Only time will tell whether a few years from now, veteran VSGers are regaining because their sleeve stretched out, and are getting a band on top, or another type of revision!  

MM