Hello All,
I am new to this site and would just like to share my story and journey, as well as perhaps receive any insight you all would like to share with me as well.
Back in 2010 I was a fat depressed and borderline suicidal 18 year old, and begged my parents to help me correct this issue. So my mother decided to talk to my pediatrician and to his recommendation he stated I should look for a surgeon who would perform a lap band surgery on me. At the time the lap band was the greatest thing that had ever happened, and no one knew of the complications it could bring. So I found a surgeon who would perform it, I was so happy and excited for this amazing new opportunity!
I weighed 369 LBS at the time of surgery, and lost 60 in the first year. Due to me not getting fills, I stalled. But never gained (thankfully) until I finally decided to get a fill, soon after that I began losing weight again! Yay! But I also ate healthy and worked hard. I continued to receive fills, until my lap band was completely filled, I believe it was 10 CCs I’m not too sure. Fast forward to 2017 I had dropped down to 209, which was amazing and a great accomplishment considering the weight which I was at. But then came the complications..
I ended up in the ER on August 2017 with a minor slippage, no big deal, a surgeon removed all of the fluid from my band and I was feeling better in a week. Until December 2018, I began having the same symptoms, nausea, vomiting, I couldn’t keep solid food down. I ended up in the ER again, as it is important to note that I live about 5 hours away from my original bariatric surgeon, so I had no one to turn to. They performed CT scans and determined the same thing as last time that my band had eroded, but the practicing doctor just told me to go to my original surgeon. And I assumed the band was just out of place again. So I made an appointment with my original surgeon.
After consulting with him, I decided I wanted a revision as the removal of the fluid from my lap band had caused me to gain 50 Lbs in one year!
So I had my revision surgery scheduled on May 13th, and upon waking up, I come to find out they could not do the sleeve because my lap band had eroded into my stomach and made a hole as well. So the doctor had to cut out the band and rebuild my stomach, I’m told he made it a bit smaller. I was very sad and disappointed to hear this, but alas happy that I was rid of the device that had been wreaking havoc on my body and health. Now I’m just worried about gaining back all of the weight, but I’m confident that if I keep a healthy diet and exercise regime I will be able to lose the excess weight and maintain. Only time will tell.
Any and all responses and insights would be greatly appreciated,
Thank you.
