What Would You Do?

[reshiapooh96 31]

Hi, I've posted here, and also on gastric sleeve. I was banded 3.5 years ago. I lost 48 lbs with the band within four months. After which I became more and more tighter with fills. However, I could still eat more than usual because I was always still hungry. Therefore, spite being too tight and could still eat, I lost no more weight and started having more severe issues. Now my Doc is saying that the band must go b/c it is no longer of use to me. I have a little Fluid left in my band and have regained 10 lbs. I am 5'3" and weigh around 215 lbs. I have diabetes, high BP, and high cholesterol. I'm assuming that If I had to wait 6 mos. after band removal, I would probably gain even more weight. I am so rounded and have very small wrists and legs and a huge mid section and that worries me a lot too. My family has bad issues with these comobidities. BUT! as I ponder, (because of fear) I'm still gaining and getting older. I'm 57 and want to continue to be active. What would you do at 215 lbs? I've tried for years on my own and can't. I'm getting so depressed over this and just want to cry. I do know now that choosing the band was a very poor decision.

[kristy3k 1,133]

Consult your physician about rny!! It saved my life. There are several here who have gone from band to rny with great success... Good luck on your decision

[reshiapooh96 31]

Thanks Kristy. I was thinking to find a surgeon thats been in bariatric surgery longer than my new surgeon. No disrespect to him, but he is fairly new and has yet to do a revision.

[Vicki Loichinger 444]

My story is so like yours, I am scheduled for a revision next wednesday. My band will be removed at the same time. (I am having some other non related issues that may put my surgery off but i am still certain I will have it eventually.) My Doc is very experienced so the revision is not a concern of his. I too have diabetes (very uncontrolled) losing 30 to 40 pounds and gaining it back and forth with the band never had any effect on the diabetes, That is my biggest reason for doing the RNY now. I should have done it in the first place, seven years ago, but I thought it was so drastic and that I didn't have that much to lose. But I had the co morbidities and should have went that route. So as I sit here waiting to here if an ovary acting up will delay my surgery and still on the pre op diet, I just wait.

I was scheduled for revision on Nov 7, Doc came in right before I was to be wheeled back and said my blood sugars were too high. I was devastated. So rescheduled for Dec 5 and now this stomach pain that has had me in pain and doing scans and ultrasounds and having to find a GYN doc (haven't seen one of those in 20+ years) to either be cleared for surgery or possibly need the ovary removed. Something tells me I may have an operation just not the one I was hoping for just yet. I too am 57. And really want to have a life.

[BBdoodle 483]

If it were me I would go for the RNY,... you need to consult with your surgeon first because if you don't have his/her clearance you will not be able to have surgery. I am lucky where I had no compications what so every and sailed thru recovery and was back to work in 1 week. I am almost 8 months post op and feeling fantastic... best think I ever did !!!!

[law8486 40]

Go for RNY. I had my revision done in april. Totally worth it!! good luck!

[momlambert 77]

I, too, had a band (March 2007) and it is no longer working. Much like you, Reshia. I lost 65 pounds but then the band quit working, I've gained 60 lbs. back and have really bad reflux. I am 63 years old and don't want to live the rest of my life like this. I really vascillated between the sleeve and the rny--at first there was no way I was going to consider rny but I decided to go all the way. I messed around with the band for 5 1/2 years--now I'm ready for a tried and true method. I'm scheduled for revision on December 10--started by 2 weeks pre-op liquid died three days ago. Good luck to everyone!

[lisamcgowin 60]

I was banded in 2006 and over the course of a year I lost 40lbs but then it stopped working. I too have small arms and legs and am huge in midsection. I look like I'm pregnant. I wish I had done rny to begin with but was too scared at the time. They are taking out the band and revising to rny all at the same time next Tuesday! I hope this time I can lose all the weight and keep it off!

Lisa :-)

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

I would get the gastric bypass done. Seem like it will benefit you in the long run.

[reshiapooh96 31]

I was banded in 2006 and over the course of a year I lost 40lbs but then it stopped working. I too have small arms and legs and am huge in midsection. I look like I'm pregnant. I wish I had done rny to begin with but was too scared at the time. They are taking out the band and revising to rny all at the same time next Tuesday! I hope this time I can lose all the weight and keep it off!

Lisa :-)

I'm happy that you can relate, and also happy that you're having it taken out and revising. please keep me informed. I was too afraid also and sorry now that I didn't. I think I'll go for it this Spring. Lets pray for each other, I need it.

[reshiapooh96 31]

I would get the gastric bypass done. Seem like it will benefit you in the long run.

You have wonderful stats Mami. And I know you're right, I will benefit more from gastric. I need to stop being a chicken and go for what I know would my diabetes. I sometimes worry about what others may say. I had previously lost 48 lbs with the band before we failed each other, and ppl were saying things like "YOU DONT WANT TO START LOOKING SICK". and "YOU DONT NEED TO LOSE ANYMORE BEHIND". Now that I've gained back 10 lbs they have nothing to say.

[lisamcgowin 60]

You've got my prayers! I'll let you know how it works for me!

Lisa :-)