knopfler

Getting sleeved 1/25; wow 90lbs in 5 months is pretty damn impressive! How do you feel?

Well, so I'm back to this arena. I had a Realize Lap-Band put in back in October 2009. Since then, I have lost a grand total of ... wait for it ... 0.0 lbs. Dialed up the band saline level to the max allowed, went through four bariatric doctors, one of whom tried to sell me on an MLM, and two left the industry or otherwise ghosted me. It's been ... a helluva ride and a helluva disappointment. I clearly did not do the research needed and chose the wrong procedure. I felt zero decrease in hunger with the band, and while it of course made me eat much slower, it did absolutely nothing to quell hunger. I have felt hungry pretty much 24/7 for the entirety of this damn thing. And no, I didn't lose weight and then slowly gain it back, except for a bit on the first month post-op. My nine year weight history has been a flat line. I understand I'm at least a little bit unusual, but a) I'm probably not that unusual and b) it's the truth. So I'm back, on track for a VSG on 1/25, and doing self-pay as work insurance has a very strict, absolutely no exceptions allowed one time max on bariatric procedures. They are "graciously" paying for the band removal, subject to my $6k HDHP annual deductible. (Hence delaying until January - I'll hit my deductible for the year for anything that comes up post-op). Researched Mexico but decided to pay more to stay local - I'm a Virginian and Mexico is far. I might have felt differently if I lived in the Southwest or West Coast. Anyway. Has anyone else had a failed band - no complications, no leakage, just no weight loss - and then succeeded with VSG? I want to hear your stories! Brian

I could eat just fine with it full. Took a lot longer, sure, and it's best to avoid things like bread and heavy pastas, but otherwise zero difference, and certainly zero difference in hunger. I'm having both the removal and the VSG done at the same time, also in January - since one is covered by insurance and one isn't, I'm still quite curious how they're going to handle that with billing.

...Bueller?

Yes, I had the Lap Band nearly 9 years ago, and my cumulative weight loss is 0.0lbs. Not a typo. Now I'm in the midst of going in for a sleeve and hopefully getting it right this time. So far, all of my experiences have been negative, and after nine years, I'm in a position to know.

Weight loss surgery is not in itself a contraindication on the official donation questionnaire. Here it is, for reference: http://www.aabb.org/tm/questionnaires/Documents/dhq/v2/DHQ v2.0.pdf It sounds like your doctor thought it wouldn't be a great idea given your personal health history - but there's absolutely no blanket ban.