Nervous and Scared

Hey everyone,

Pardon me while I share my story and anxieties here.  I have no one else to talk to.

Well, since I had my band removed on January 8th I've gained 10 lbs.  My BMI with clothes on is at 40 which I guess would qualify me for surgery (I hope).  When my band slipped the doctor told me insurance would pay to replace it or take it out and I asked for it out because it hadn't been working anyway (turns out it had slipped years before but I thought it was personal failure) and I asked for a revision to VSG.  I didn't qualify because my BMI was 37 and I don't have co-morbidities.  Anyhoo, after the surgery my dr. told me to start exercising - which I have.  Physically I feel pretty good - I've been swimming an average of 3 times a week (water aerobics and laps).  My legs hurt when I walk too much, but I would love to lose weight and begin jogging/walking again. 

Also after the surgery my dr. didn't seem to want to talk about surgery.  Not sure what his mood or idea was or if he was testing me to see if I'd really start exercising and do the work necessary for WLS to be effective.  Now I did really well with the lapband when I first got it.  I lost over 100lbs.  It only went south after 3 years and now in retrospect I realize (with my new doc's interpretation) that the band must have been slipping out of place for years and that's why it stopped working.  Now I've gained a large amount back.  Although I generally eat very healthy I find lately that I never feel full, especially since the band is out - I guess I had some restriction.  I have been imbibing a little too much on carbs, but it's in a sort of planning-on-getting-surgery-last-supper sort of way.  With the band I was really struck by how little I had to eat to lose weight and I've found I just can't do it without the help of a restrictive tool.  I feel that I won't lose weight without surgery.

My point is, I'm meeting the doc again on Tuesday for the first time since January and I am SOOO very nervous that he'll say no, or will refuse to do it (although I don't know why, it's just a fear).  I've told him I want it in July as that's my most "free" time for recovery and focus.  I have been going to my general doctor to get paperwork done that insurance requires.  At the same time I'm scared of getting my stomach cut and the consequences of RNY (he initially recommended RNY over VSG). 

Can any of you speak to the pre-permission/approval fears and anxieties leading to your decision to go ahead with surgery?  Is any of this familiar to your experience?

Thanks in advance.

Lapband 12/2004 - SW 265

Weight lost - 120 lbs.

CW - 228

goal weight - 145.

Doctor Weaver in Kalamazoo

Welcome!  

All I know is from what other folks in your situation have been told and then posted here on OH, and that is, a restrictive surgery on top of a previous restrictive surgery probably isn't going to give you the success you might expect.

You most likely do need a malabsorptive surgery such as the RNY or the DS. Don't be afraid to switch surgeons if you don't get what you need from him. WLS surgeons are a dime a dozen. If you do look into the DS, check out www.dsfacts.com. 

--gina

No revision here.  I wanted a sleeve but my insurance would only approve a band or RNY so I did RNY.  It has been wonderful.  I wasn't really scared because I am an old hand at surgery.  I just knew I had to do something to get my life back.  And it was worked.  I am more active than I have been in 20 years (the last time I was small).  keep us informed and know we are here to support and help when we can.

LOVE MY RNY!!!!!!!!!!   Good Luck!!

Good luck with the surgeon.  Hope he sees that you are working on the exercise part and agrees to the surgery for you.

I did not have a revision, but had RNY and am very pleased with it.  I wanted the lapband, but two surgeons both said I needed something more than restriction due to my diabetes.

I think we were all a little nervous at some point, but mine has been so worth it.  I have so much more energy and feel so much better than I had in years.

Keep us updated.

Linda

thanks everyone for responding.  I met with him yesterday and he is going ahead with the surgery.  I need to do six months of "weight management" with the gp - I started in January so I have three months to go, and they handed me the packet for the dietitian and psychologist interviews.  It looks like I can schedule in early July.  Yay!  Dr. asked me my starting weight and lowest weight on the band (HW 280, surgery weight 245 - lowest weight 145) band and he seemed impressed and encouraged when I told him.  I think it showed him I could do it with the tool of surgery.  He told me with the RNY I would not feel hunger but I would with just restrictive VSG.  He also asked me how I was with sweets.  I've been doing a bit of "last supper" eating of things I usually do without since band removal, but generally don't have a strong sweet tooth.   

So I have two questions for RNYers - is that true, you don't feel hunger?  And, 2nd, when avoiding sugar because of dumping, does that include fruit?

Thanks again,