JillN1234

Hi all I had a LAP-BAND® placed in May 2006, and had lost over 50 pounds until last Labor Day weekend (2008), when I had a motorcycle accident. Had a lot of trauma, multiple breaks on 6 different ribs, collarbone, shoulderblade broken, all on the left side. Had a chest tube, and a splenic embolization. Then after several months recovery, they determined they needed to remove my spleen. All this time, i'd not had any problems with the band once I got to a good restriction level. But during surgery to remove my spleen, they saw that the band had popped open, brought in a bariatric surgeon to consult, and determined the band was too damaged to replace. Also my insides were too injured to place a new one, so the band was removed. it's more than 6 months later now, and I WANT MY BAND BACK!! But, the surgeons are encouraging me to also consider Gastric Bypass, primarily due to my age (44), and my very bad diabedes (A1C at 8.8 and 8.6 the last 6 months). According to them, most insulin dependent diabetics leave the hospital after a gastric bypass taken off of all insulin. I wondered if anyone has any advice on this decision - band versus bypass - I made the decision once, for the Band, but now several years later, my health is not as good, and the main reason to do weight loss surgery is for my health. Doctors seem to think that the bypass would be better for my health. i'm doing my own research, of course, and will make my own decision, but wondered about advice from all of you, as this board was instrumental in helping with my first Band decision. Thanks for listening!! Jill

Just an update for everyone on my status..... After a lot of careful thought, I determined that the Bypass would be the best surgery for me. Locally, only Bypass or Lapband are offered, so a Sleeve wasn't an option for my surgeon. Starting weight before surgery was 235 (I'm 5' 5" tall). Had my surgery 11/16/10 at UMass Hospital in Worcester MA. Very successful surgery (though LONG surgery), went home on time. They took me off some of my meds before leaving the hospital, including taking me off insulin. Well, I"m back on insulin again, but MUCH less than before surgery - before surgery, I ws taking 100-120 units of long term insulin every night, and another 30-50 units in the monrning, plus supplementing during the day with short term insulin (between 20-30 units for each meal). That's a LOT of insulin every day, up to 200 units or more a day! Now, 4/28/11, I'm down around 55 pounds, down to just under 180 lbs. That has met my first two goals - first goal was to get under 200 lbs, 2nd goal is to weigh less than my DH (6' 1", 180 lbs dripping wet). So I"m really close or have already passed my 2nd goal. Insulin - down to 25 units long term at night, and 10 units long term in AM, supplementing only when I eat sugar with short term insulin. so maybe down to 35-40 units a day (down from over 200 units a day). I'm also hopeful that as I continue to lose weight, and excersise more (hurray for warmer weather!!), the insulin needs will contine to drop, and hopefully get off of insulin all together (even if I have to go back to pills). I'm off of my blood pressure meds, no problems with blood pressure. Am still on cholesterol meds, but those numbers are MUCH better too. May get off of the cholesterol meds soon. I don't have any problems eating anything, sugar, alcohol, no problems, except if I eat/drink an unreasonable amount - 1 cookie is OK, half a dozen Cookies, I do get dumping, but only if I overeat sugar. Of course, I try not to overeat sugar, but when I found out I was being laid off from my job, I did discover the feeling of dumping from eating too much sugar! But I've gotten over that, and am back on track with much better eating habits. I'm happy with my decision, am feeling great, and already have had to buy a new wardrobe as my old clothes were all falling off of me. Will likely need more wardrobe adjustments as weight loss continues. Sizes - I went from a size 24 women's pants, to nicely fiting into a standard size 16 pants at a normal clothing store! And bras - I went from a 46DD to a 40D! So I wanted to thank eveyrone here for your great advice, and for just listening to me. Jill

Hi all I had a lapband placed in May 2006, and had lost over 50 pounds until last Labor Day weekend (2008), when I had a motorcycle accident. Had a lot of trauma, multiple breaks on 6 different ribs, collarbone, shoulderblade broken, all on the left side. Had a chest tube, and a splenic embolization. Then after several months recovery, they determined they needed to remove my spleen. All this time, i'd not had any problems with the band once I got to a good restriction level. But during surgery to remove my spleen, they saw that the band had popped open, brought in a bariatric surgeon to consult, and determined the band was too damaged to replace. Also my insides were too injured to place a new one, so the band was removed. it's more than 6 months later now, and I WANT MY BAND BACK!! But, the surgeons are encouraging me to also consider Gastric Bypass, primarily due to my age (44), and my very bad diabedes (A1C at 8.8 and 8.6 the last 6 months). According to them, most insulin dependent diabetics leave the hospital after a gastric bypass taken off of all insulin. I wondered if anyone has any advice on this decision - band versus bypass - I made the decision once, for the Band, but now several years later, my health is not as good, and the main reason to do weight loss surgery is for my health. Doctors seem to think that the bypass would be better for my health. i'm doing my own research, of course, and will make my own decision, but wondered about advice from all of you, as this board was instrumental in helping with my first Band decision. Thanks for listening!! Jill