Kristina J.

Thank you DixieGal. Sounds like things are starting off really well!! Hopefully that ease and success will only continue and get even better for you! Congratulations!! Melissa, I too am really anxious about having this surgery, but I decided to do it BECAUSE of my 3 year old. There are certainly risks that are very serious, but there are also a lot of risks living at the weight I'm living at as well with a BMI close to 50, and even more than that, I am constantly held back by my weight. My 2 daughters (3 and 1) deserve a mother who is healthy and can keep up with them! I want to live long enough to play with grandchildren and that's not going to happen with my health suffering the consequences of my weight battles. My biggest fear right now is that I will not be able to convert in one surgery. I am self pay and if I travel to Mexico and find that I have erosion again, I will be devastated. I will have my band removed, but will have to regroup and then finance yet another surgery! But, I will do whatever it takes to do this revision. And I WILL do it with my safety as first priority, so if it takes two, it takes two and we will just have to make it work!

I was banded in 2003. I was initially successful like you. I lost around 100lbs before my band slipped and I had to have urgent surgery. Due to erosions it was removed so my stomach could heal. Long story short, I eventually had my band replaced a year later after regaining all the weight plus some. I have finally scheduled a revision to get the band out and move onto a sleeve. If I had the option back then, with the info out there today, I definitely would have switched! Best of luck!!!

Thank you both!! And Amazon, that is great to hear!! I have heard all great things about Dr. Garcia and am feeling even more confident about my choice in surgeon now!

I now re-read and realize you never said "married" or "husband" lol but I think the same logic applies to a relationship outside of marriage as well.

With my first lapband I lost 100lbs and felt like a completely different person with different interests. My first marriage suffered for it. I was eager to get out and enjoy life since I felt so much better, but he was content to sit at home and missed me sitting with him eating on the couch. Our marriage eventually ended, and while I certainly don't blame my weight loss, I can't deny that it was a factor. He wanted the old me and I loved the new healthy me. I had a bit of a roller coaster weight story, and am now back up to just shy of my peak weight. But this time, I don't fear it effecting my marriage (my 2nd marriage). When I met my current husband, I had already lost a bunch of weight and knew how I wanted to live. I find myself lacking the energy to do that these days, but I know it's what I want and that is what he wants for me. I think it all comes down to how solid your marriage is to start with and how supportive your spouse is. Of course there are issues with being noticed in ways you weren't before, but I found those to have little to no effect on my marriage, even though they're a nice flattering change. For me, having my partner involved and wanting that active life with me only encourages me and my weight loss can only strengthen our marriage. And I just didn't have that situation at all with my first husband. Keep your communication open and express your fears. The best way to deal with fears in your marriage is to talk about them with your husband. Good luck!

This topic and discussion are exactly why I joined this site. Everyone is so encouraging and ready to help. I loved reading your story and your information is wonderful to hear 8 weeks out from my revision surgery. Thank you so much for sharing and congratulations!!!!!

That is a crazy story and I am so sorry for what you're going through. You mentioned that you feel bad for complaining when this is what so many of us want, but that isn't fair to you. I agree with previous posters, this was assault, and completely illegal!! And I think we all understand how horrifying it would be to wake up and realize that someone altered our body forever, without our consent. Yes, this is something that most of us here have either had or are working toward having, but we are making the CHOICE to do this. You had that choice taken away from you. So please don't feel bad for complaining. Your situation is very unique and anyone who is offended by you complaining, clearly lacks empathy! The only thing I would add, is that if you want to leave your options open for legal action later (even if only in the event of complications), you should seriously consider switching surgeons now. By continuing to return to this surgeon who performed such a serious surgery without your consent, you may be implying agreement with his decision, just by returning to him. It's kind of like if you wanted to sue for a bad haircut... your suit loses a ton of weight if you tipped them... does that make sense? lol And, I can only imagine the betrayal you must feel. But if you believe your husband was really trying to carry out what he thought your wishes were, I'd let him off the hook. If you forgive him, you have to truly forgive him. if you can't forgive him, then you need to move on. Staying and keeping it alive will only eat away at your relationship and it sounds like you really love him and don't want that. I'm so sorry for all you've been through. Best wishes adjusting, I know it won't be easy, but hopefully this was the right path for you, even if it came about under such awful circumstances.