charleston-mom

I wish you the best too! I'm so excited for you!

Don't listen to your surgeon. He's quoting statistics and there are some lower numbers for revisions primarily related to people that "out-ate" the band and had compliance issues rather than troubles with the band which is actually more common. My post-op course as a revision has been exactly like the people I know who are first time RNY patients, if not a little better. The RNY surgery is SO much better. There is just no comparison at all. MUCH less hunger; able to eat almost anything, including meat. I have a normal proximal RNY with the typical 100 cm bypass. It has been so wonderful I can't even begin to tell you. None of the problems associated with the band, the weight has just been dropping off, feeling healthier, not near as much hunger and I could just go on and on. Don't in a million years let them psych you out at the start to think you can't get all the way down. They gave me those stats too, but I knew in my heart the problem was the band - it's just not good surgery. I have cooked along losing just as much weight as all the people in the support group that are first-timers with no problems at all. I'm planning on getting down to 110 (I'm about 130 right now) and planning on not ever having to pick an outfit because it's "flattering!" I want to pick an outfit because it's cute! Good luck!!!!!!!!! :hurray:

Hi! I had two slips, and erosion and underwent a revision to a RNY in August (9 months ago). I am SO thrilled! I have lost 104 pounds since August and am in a size 4-6. You can do it!!!!!!!!

I was ten years out. I had my first slip after about year 2 and they removed the Fluid and it slipped back up. Had my second slip after about 6 years; same thing. Then I found it hard to eat any solid food without vomiting. Lost most of my teeth (had to have them capped). I went in - in June - for a check up to see if maybe I could have some fluid put back in and try to jump start the weight loss which is when I found out I had another bad slip. They could not tell the erosion until they got in there - it was VERY bad. I'm very lucky and very grateful to be alive. Other than solid food intolerance, which is quite common in any case with the band, I didn't have symptoms. The doctors said I might have lived another few weeks had I not happened to have made an appointment to get a fill and found out what was going on.

I had two slippages and an erosion before converting to a gastric bypass. I honestly can't recommend the band to anyone. I never got close to goal, but worse was the danger to my health. If you have a slip, perhaps you could get a revision at the same time they remove the band. I did, and it worked out great.

I also had an erosion and almost died. I had revision surgery in August, to a gastric bypass, and couldn't be happier. However, the doctor spent the first two HOURS of my surgery picking pieces of a disintigrated band out of my stomach wall. I probably had weeks left to live only. I was very lucky. Now, however, I am truly happy again. To me, the difference between these two surgeries is night and day. I never got anywhere near close to goal after lapband. The gastric bypass is an absolute dream come true. I have lost 79 pounds in 5 months and am wearing a size 6-8. I've still got a little more to lose, but I have my health back, and hope for being thin, real hope, for the first time. Reoperation rates, long term, 8-12 years out, for lapband are VERY high.

I sure agree - I think the Lapband is one of the worst things I have ever done to myself! Here's the link from the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence at the University of Idaho. Laparoscopic RNY Gastric Bypass vs LAP-BAND

Hi Linda! I'm having a revision from Lapband to RNY. I can't recommend Lapband to anyone - but I have had terrible trouble with it - slip, unfill - try again, slip again - this one severe. There's lots of information out there on the differences between the two. I think what strikes me the most is a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence - that put up a Myths and Facts site about the differences. It was great. Let me know if you would like the link. Kit:)