Preparing for GPS

[Mamma Litts 2]

My story is pretty simple, and yet not. In May 2007 I got a Lap Band. I had a lot of success with it. I lost 100 lbs in approx 6 months and kept it off for 3.5 years. I didn't have any problem foods as long as I remembered to chew well and eat slowly. I only needed 2 minor fills... one for 1ml and one 0.5 ml. All was well.

Then I was diagnosed with Chronic Iron Deficiency Anemia - we don't really know if this is related to my band or not as I am still in treatment for it and have some other health issues that could also be likely sources. Anyway, part of the diagnostics was an Upper GI, and guess what we found? My band had eroded all the way through the stomach wall in 2 different places AND my port line was also in there somehow!

To make matters worse, I had moved from WA to CA, so I didn't have access to my original surgeon. Fortunately, I found Dr. Donald Waldrep and his team. They have two offices, one in Thousand Oaks, CA and another I believe in the Sacramento area.

So, to make a short story long, out came the band and back came the pounds. Fortuntately, not all of them, but still 25 lbs in 3 months! And with it came an increase in all those comorbidities that had basically gone "dormant" for 3+ years.

I am now scheduled for GPS with Dr. Waldrep. He has been performing this procedure, which his office refers to as WRAP, for a little over a year now, but has been in bariatric surgery for much longer, doing lap RnY, sleeve, and bands.

For me, GPS seems like the best alternative. My weight regain, despite my efforts, tells me that there is clearly a disconnect in my body between what it ACTUALLY needs (calories), and what it THINKS/FEELS it needs (hunger). And I know that WLS has worked for me. Because I already have Iron deficiency issues, a malabsorptive procedure would not be a good choice. Since my body has already demonstrated what it does with foreign objects (my band), I'd rather not repeat that - I know many erosion patients do get rebanded, but I've heard the repeat erosion rate is higher the second time around and I'd like a more permanent solution. Traditional sleeve surgery makes me nervous because of the risk of leaks.

I want to make clear that I am still a proponent of Band and of WLS. I have several friends who are Band patients who have NOT eroded. All of us have had successful weight loss and been able to keep it off and remain healthy. I also believe that my surgeon did an EXCELLENT job. I had one of the "large" size bands, and minimal fills, also, never had any problems being able to swallow properly chewed food, etc. So I don't think ANYTHING was done "wrong". I believe erosions just sometimes happen. That's why they tell you they are a possibility right up front.

I would love to hear from anyone who has had both Band and then another procedure. I'd like to know how you would compare your post-op experience, and your current daily experience. I'd especially like to hear from LB to GPS conversions.

Thank you all for welcoming me to your community!

[former_vbg 198]

Glad you are on your way to getting your revision!

Just curious if there is anything specific about your past WLS that makes you more interested in the Sleeve plication over just the sleeve? Just wondering.

My story is pretty simple, and yet not. In May 2007 I got a Lap Band. I had a lot of success with it. I lost 100 lbs in approx 6 months and kept it off for 3.5 years. I didn't have any problem foods as long as I remembered to chew well and eat slowly. I only needed 2 minor fills... one for 1ml and one 0.5 ml. All was well.

Then I was diagnosed with Chronic Iron Deficiency Anemia - we don't really know if this is related to my band or not as I am still in treatment for it and have some other health issues that could also be likely sources. Anyway, part of the diagnostics was an Upper GI, and guess what we found? My band had eroded all the way through the stomach wall in 2 different places AND my port line was also in there somehow!

To make matters worse, I had moved from WA to CA, so I didn't have access to my original surgeon. Fortunately, I found Dr. Donald Waldrep and his team. They have two offices, one in Thousand Oaks, CA and another I believe in the Sacramento area.

So, to make a short story long, out came the band and back came the pounds. Fortuntately, not all of them, but still 25 lbs in 3 months! And with it came an increase in all those comorbidities that had basically gone "dormant" for 3+ years.

I am now scheduled for GPS with Dr. Waldrep. He has been performing this procedure, which his office refers to as WRAP, for a little over a year now, but has been in bariatric surgery for much longer, doing lap RnY, sleeve, and bands.

For me, GPS seems like the best alternative. My weight regain, despite my efforts, tells me that there is clearly a disconnect in my body between what it ACTUALLY needs (calories), and what it THINKS/FEELS it needs (hunger). And I know that WLS has worked for me. Because I already have Iron deficiency issues, a malabsorptive procedure would not be a good choice. Since my body has already demonstrated what it does with foreign objects (my band), I'd rather not repeat that - I know many erosion patients do get rebanded, but I've heard the repeat erosion rate is higher the second time around and I'd like a more permanent solution. Traditional sleeve surgery makes me nervous because of the risk of leaks.

I want to make clear that I am still a proponent of Band and of WLS. I have several friends who are Band patients who have NOT eroded. All of us have had successful weight loss and been able to keep it off and remain healthy. I also believe that my surgeon did an EXCELLENT job. I had one of the "large" size bands, and minimal fills, also, never had any problems being able to swallow properly chewed food, etc. So I don't think ANYTHING was done "wrong". I believe erosions just sometimes happen. That's why they tell you they are a possibility right up front.

I would love to hear from anyone who has had both Band and then another procedure. I'd like to know how you would compare your post-op experience, and your current daily experience. I'd especially like to hear from LB to GPS conversions.

Thank you all for welcoming me to your community!