??'s re: revisions?

Hi everyone... I haven't been on here in forever... I haven't lost a pound probably sisnce 6 months after my RNY in 12/04...in fact... I am up 20-30 lbs. I don't get the full feeling I should.... Is there anyone in the same situation I am in? What did you do??? I'm sorry, I am just at my wits end here and I need to take some action..

Hi Jennifer, I understand what you are saying.  I had my lap gastric bypass on 5-18-2004 and it was a rough 3 months after wards.. Could not eat, could not drink... I was surviving on ice chips... so I ended up in the hospital dehydrated. But once I cleared that hurdle I started losing weight.  I went from 340 lbs to 170 lbs...  but then I stopped feeling the fullness from the pouch...  i could eat and eat and before you know it;  I have regained some of my weight back.   I am unemployed and have no insurance so I am doing research on revisions and clinical studies... The down side to this is they are so far away from me....But I am still looking in to them... Because  I am pretty sure my stomach has stretched or the hole has opened wider... my opinion.. and I need a doctor to examine me that will not cost me an arm and a leg.... So for now I am trying to drink protein shakes and lose some weight on my own... but as you get older your body does not want to cooperate... ha ha Have you checked with your doctor or been examined by a doctor?   Anyway, good luck to you and just take it one day at a time... Tami

Hey Tami, thanks for your response. I have not consulted with a doctor yet, out of embarassment. And You adressed something I forgot to ask. Insurance coverage.  Will insurance cover it the second time around??? I am so scared... I did so well... And afterwards I was as sick as a dog and in and out of the hospital a few times. You would think I would have learned my lesson. It all comes down to falling into old habits...

Jennifer,                                                                                                                                                                    Do not feel embarassed. I had my RNY 3/03. I stopped losing after about 9 months. I lost about 100lbs but had another 50 to go. Since that time my weight went up another 40lbs. I had a lap band placed over my RNY just two days ago. Seek out a MD who has done revisions either the band, DS or a more distal RNY. These boards are a great way to get information. Best of luck. Cathy

Hi Cathy.  Howare you feeling after having a lap band placed over your pouch?  Also, what made you go that route?  I'm having a UGI on Tuesday.  Its been determined that I have a hiatal hernia on my pouch.  My surgeon says that additional surgery can be covered by having the hernia removed.   I'm thinking of having my RNY changed from promixal to distal.  I'll have to really review all of my options this weekend however.  That way I can be prepared for my appointment on Tuesday. Tonya

Tonya, I am feeling pretty good after the band over my RNY. A little tender but not really any pain. I have not taken any pain meds since the day after the surgery. I went with the band for a couple reasons. My husband had it done and had better results then I did with the RNY.  He made it to goal. I did not want to have my intestines altered for a second time and the other reason is because most of the RNY people that regain is because we lose our restriction over time. The nice thing about the band is that this restriction can be found again. I am fortunate to have a surgeon who is one of the most skilled at the band. He actually travels to other places world wide and teaches the technique for placing the band and his office has great follow up. What ever you decide research your MD and good luck. Cathy

I was thinking the lap band... if I ever get the courage to persue it. I don't think my surgeon does it anymore, and I am not sure I would go back to him. Also, does insurance pay the second time around?

Jennifer, I can not say how the band is working for me because I just had it done. My insurance did cover the cost as a revision. I still had to do the pro op evaluation stuff and that was out of pocket. That cost was about $600. I was also starting to get my old co-morbidities back. My blood sugar was starting to rise. If you are interested in who I used let me know and I will post . My doctor and hospital are in NYC. Good luck.

Best wishes on your revision to lapband!

Thank you Donna. I hope I do as well as you.