Jersey Jesse

I had an EGD and the gastro told me that he saw an erosion. I also saw a band surgeon who's in my network and he said that it would need to be removed, and that I will never be a candidate for another band, even tho I've never had complications, infections or any other surgical complications. I have read that several surgeons are now doing band conversions to sleeves when erosion occurs and that it's becoming much more routine due to the growing number of older bands that have been eroding. I would love to get my benefits company to pay for the surgery since its a required surgery, and I would assume they would pay for the removal, but I would need to speak to a surgeon to figure out how much additional out of pocket expense it would be to do the conversion at the time of the removal. I really want the conversion, but because I am unemployed and paying $1400 a month for COBRA alone, adding a $10k debt on top would make my wife and I just cry, especially since I just finished paying off the first procedure. It almost feels like buying a new car with a warranty, and the day you make your last payment and the warranty has expired, the car dies, and now you have to pay to have someone dispose of it for you. I'm so depressed about the situation. Thanks for your help. Jesse

I was banded in January of 2006. I lost over 100 pounds before I had my first fill. My start weight was 340, and now it is 215. I was told that my band eroded and needs to be removed. I am really upset about this since I paid out of pocket for the surgery and it took me almost the last 5 years to pay off the $19k. Now that I need to get it removed, I'm scared to death that I will regain the weight. The doctor I spoke to said that a band will never be in my future once this is removed, and he said that I can't get a sleeve done until I regain weight. What are my options? Any suggestions? I have insurance that will cover the removal but not a new band or a sleeve, so I need to know what my best bets are. Thanks in advance. Jesse

Thought I'd stop by and show where I'm at these days.

It's been a while since I posted an updated pic so here goes. I was banded Jan. 30th, 2006 at 339, now I'm 202 and here's a before and after for comparison.

Ok, so its been a long time since I posted here and I just got a "Happy Birthday" email from LBT and figured I'd come back and say hi and post some new pics. Let me know what you think. Jesse

Man - all you gals have husbands/boyfriends who have no idea how lucky they are. I've lost over 110 pounds and while I feel damn sexy now , my wife has absolutely zero interest in sex and its really crushing my self-esteem. I only wish I knew how to motivate her. She says that sex for women is emotional, but she's been starting lots of fights and arguments lately, and I play the passive "whatever you say dear" role cause I just don't want to prolong the agony, but then later, she blames our fighting as the reason she won't have sex, so either way, I lose.

I figured it might be time to update this thread with some recent pix now that summer is here. These were taken on June 30th.