My FINAL Decision is to Remove my band -- getting a date scheduled soon.
on 10/31/12 1:18 am, edited 10/31/12 1:29 am
After giving this some DEEP thought, and although I am feeling a lot better, I've decided to remove my band and not further pursue to keep it. I just called my old surgeons office and faxed over all my tests and they are prepping me for a date. Hopefully within the next few weeks.
I am actually not removing my band because of the hernia, I am removing it because even if they repair the hernia, there is a high chance of being in this SAME situation in a year or so and my band has been pretty EMPTY for over a year now, so I've gotten USE TO NO RESTRICTION.
I am GRATEFUL that my band will be GENTLY REMOVED, since I don't have slippage or erosion and if ONE DAY...a new weight loss surgical option that is available that is safe and effective I will leave my options open to those new technologies coming down the pike.
Also they will repair my hernia while they are in there and remove the band, tubing and port. Actually I am feeling a whole lot better now and I don't feel any URGENT need to remove it but I took leave of absence from work last week and I might as well do it now while I am out of work getting all these tests done.
Is there a chance that my band will work again if I decided to keep my band? Probably, will it work for long periods of time with optimal restriction? I am being realistic probably NOT. So I said to myself why keep it inside my body if it's not going to be the effective tool that it once was.
I will NOT be getting a revision surgery not at this time, I will wait it out and see what the future holds.
I am THANKFUL for my health and I am GRATEFUL that I don't have any PERMANENT DAMAGE or things that is chronic or bothering me now, I am hoping this band removal will be uneventful and I will resume back to my normal life. I loved my journey while it lasted. Thank GOD I have the OPTION to turn things around and remove my band, that was one of the most important feature that the band was removable IF THINGS GO WRONG.
I am also thankful that I am no longer morbidly obese after 7 years, I've gained some weight back, but it is manageable, I can still wear a size 14 and some 12, my lowest size was a size 8, plus I older now so I am happy that I have settle at this size and still "healthy", I will be able to maintain this weight by being on Weigh****chers and using my treadmill in my bedroom before bed at night, skinny people have to do the same thing and ALSO....friends that have had the Sleeve and RNY have to DO THE SAME THING to maintain their weight loss as well, so it does not make any sense for me to revise when I've maintained my weight with no restriction for over a year now.
I think we are all guinea pigs with these surgical options they really don't KNOW the long term effects of all these surgeries, until about 10 years later of clinical data. What is the NEW KID on the block TODAY seems like the "perfect weight loss surgery" can end up being a disaster in a few years... just like the lap band today, I've seen the misery what sister went through with her stomach stapling surgery, over 20 years ago, which is now defunct and no longer being offered, this is my reasoning for not revising to NOTHING.
Good luck everyone and I wish every one well.
Naomi.
Original Lap Band * 9/30/2005 * 4cc 10cm band*, lost 130 pounds. 7 Great years!
Revision surgery to AP small lap band *11/13/2012*, due to large hiatal hernia. I am hopeful about continuing my band journey uneventful and successful. I loved what my old band did for me and I am looking forward for my new band to Keep my weight down
Judy
I am new to this forum and I've read ALL the messages since I started thinking about getting the band. Your post right here was the most helpful to me out of everything I have read. I think it just made me feel more secure about getting the band, knowing that it will likely be something that won't last forever and I might have problems with....maybe likely will have problems with. But it sounds like with all the problems it helped you get to a better place in your life which is what I am searching for, because God knows I have tried non-surgical options and I am not ready to cut my stomach open (such as a sleeve).
But it sounds like with all the problems it helped you get to a better place in your life.
I had my band removed 6 months ago after 4-1/2 happy years with it, and feel no regret about my decision to have Lap-Band surgery for the exact reason you stated above. My band helped me get to a much, much better place in my life, and no one and nothing can take that experience, and all I learned from it, away from me.
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
I'm glad you've come to a decision you're comfortable with, Naomi. You've done your homework and given it a lot of thought. Now it's time to move on.
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
Going on without a "safety net" can be scary, but it is doable. Like you said, you've learned to live very differently and there's really no reason you should feel like you have to make a choice or commit to another surgery if you aren't ready.
Banded 03/22/06 276/261/184 (highest/surgery/lowest)
Sleeved 07/11/2013 228/165 (surgery/current) (111lbs lost)
Mom to two of the cutest boys on earth.