Hello all,

What a supportive group you are! 

I've been lurking for some time on various boards, and wanted to introduce myself/tell my story.

I've had a LapBand for 7 years.  I had it revised (to a LapBand) 2 years ago after a major slippage.  For a while now, the port has been causing me pain.  I have a surgery date of May 14 to remove the Band.  Finally.  It has been a battle with my insurance company, but it looks set now.  :)

My surgeon thinks I'm nuts.  He wants to revise me to RNY.  I have been back and forth about this....but I think I have to get my other health issues sorted before I do something like that.  I was just diagnosed with diabetes, I've got PCOS, and we're figuring out if/what kind of autoimmune disease I have.  I am also having ferritin/EPO shots to build my iron and hemoglobin levels because they're so low that no surgeon will operate right now.  I have had 2 Drs tell me that the iron deficiency might be caused by the Band - the hematologist and the endocrinologist.  My surgeon says that's ridiculous, it's just not the case.  I actually like my surgeon, despite his strong bias for RNY.  But when I go through the classes with 8 other patients who are ready for RNY....and these classes are held biweekly.....it does make me wonder about the 'bariatric mill' phenomenon.

I have never lost weight with the Band.  In fact, I have no restriction at all.  I can easily polish off a 12 ounce ribeye with fixin's if I choose.  My surgeon tells me I'll gain weight if I have the Band out without revising to RNY.  I don't believe him.  I *HAVE* lost weight once during this journey, and that was when I was using hCG coupled with a VLCD.  I got down to 165 and felt great.  Of course I had more to lose, but that was a great place to be.  Unfortuantely I gained it all back.  I'm back at 210, which is close to where I started!

I am now on a few different medications, one of which is a diabetes drug that helps curb appetite as well.  In the past week I have lost about 5 pounds by eating low carb, high protein.  Im happy with those results.  In fact, when I look at the successful weight loss patients as they maintain their losses, the common theme I notice is precisely that: low carbs, high protein.  So I'm wondering if this is the right decision: to have the problematic Band removed no mater how nuts my surgeon things I am, and to continue working at making lifestyle changes.  These lifestyle changes are the same ones I'd have to make with or without RNY in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight loss. 

Sorry for the brain dump - I just wanted to get it all out there for any feedback, comments, or just a 'hey, nice to meet ya!' response.  :)  I am inspired by those of you posting about your non-surgical losses and they way you're working every day to maintain and improve your health.  In the long run, whether you lose the weight with WLS or without, the changes we make are the same, aren't they? 

A

thanks everyone!! 

Thanks!!

Hello,

I am proud that I made it to gym on a Monday!!  and I had a great workout to boot. I am also proud I lost one pound last week despite a rough eating week and lastly, I exercised 6 days last week. 

Hi AB,
I'm in a similar situation as you.  I was scheduled to have RNY on March 31 but it got postponed so now I'm trying to lose my weight without surgery.  I've lost 3 lbs in 3 weeks.  It's not easy but it's possible.  Whatever you decide to try make sure it's something you can sustain for the rest of your life, something you are comfortable with and something that's going to be a PERMANENT lifestyle change.  To borrow a quote from someone "I'm training for maintaining"  it really is all about lifestyle choices.  Change is not easy but if you are motivated enough it can be done.  Be patient and forgiving with yourself and remember slow and steady wins the race.