Pinkpeonies1

I was banded December of '08 and had a significant weight loss, so I'd say the Band was successful for the most part. I never reached my initial goal of 135lbs but I was very satisfied with the end results. I lost several inches and a total of 71 lbs. My clothing size went from a women's 16 to a size 6-8 and from a men's 42 waist to a 31. Weight was kept off for 5+ years until my band slipped. I was experiencing major abdominal pain, acid reflux and couldn't eat or drink a thing. I was losing weight but not the way I inteded to.

My band was unfilled and I was allowed a 2-3 months break to allow my stomach to heal. After that time frame the doctor started to gradually fill the band only to have it slip again after about 7 months. It got so bad that I would wake up several times in the middle of the night choking on the acid refux, heartburn was so bad that even a sip of water was hard to swallow. I had another barium swallow test that proved my band had slipped and this time my esophagus was thickened (swollen) as well. The band was removed December 2013. However, at this time I did not qualify for a revision since I was at a good weight and BMI.

I knew how to eat healthy. I did my best to maintain and keep the weight off and ate out only occasionally. However, my weight creep up on my and I once again developed Sleep apnea, started using a C-pap machine and tested pre-diabetic on my lab work. I attribute the gain due to medications i was taking for different health issues. As I regained the weight I became depressed little by little. I became sedentary, stopped going on walk, hikes and excercising all together. Suddenly a year later 2014 I found myself back at my original weight and a little more. It's became harder and harder to be active, i have no energy nor desire to do so.

I went back to my PCP and started the process for revision only to be shot down three times. The first time they claimed by BMI wasn't high enough although I was only about 5lbs shy. The 2nd was just a plain denail. The 3rd time they claimed that a revision was not granted because it wasn't medically necessary as there was leakage. I appealed stating there wouldn't be a leak being that my band was removed. I was denied again! I switched insurance companies and medical groups and tried one last time. This time around my surgery was approved and I have a date scheduled for August 4th. I am thrilled and nervous at the same time because I am going with the bypass. My doctor believes the RNY is the better choice for me being that I still have heartburn. I am afraid of the possible side effects down the road but hope that with God's help all will be ok.