Toothdoc's Journey

[toothdoc 2]

I'm new to the forum. It has a lot of new fresh users and information. I had lap band surgery in April 2009. I lost just about 20 pounds, but could never find the sweet spot with my fills. In 2012 my cardiologist suggested I lose a few pounds. When I reminded him I had a band, he suggested investigating the possibility of a revision. A lot of his banded patient's didn't seem to have much weight loss success. I started the whole process over in November 2012 and in about 10 days I will get a surgery date for the by-pass. I originally wanted the sleeve in 2009, but the insurance company then thought t was experimental. Now, it seems I meet more sleeve patients than any other in the Bariatric surgery practice where I go which is at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. The surgeon is Dr. Christina Li. She advised me that it doesn't make sense to go from one restrictive procedure (Band) to another (sleeve). The Bypass is still the gold standard. I have a better concept of how to eat post-op, and have been able to practice a lot better than I did 4 years ago. I use fresh ingredients and have found better sources of Protein. I should be a more compliant patient. I am a bit worried. I don't want to be disappointed like I was with my weight loss progress with the band. Hopefully the greater restriction and the malabsorption will be the key. I exercise regularly. I hear on the forum that revision patients don't lose as much weight as patients who go directly to the bypass. Can anyone who has had this revision provide me with some feedback. I am 232 pounds. I lost 10 pounds on the pre surgery regiment. My target weight is 175. Thats only a 55 pound weight loss.

[Myskinnydreams0605 8]

Hi i am also from maryland ! I just had a revision on jan 29th . I am very happy with my decision ! I have lost 40 lbs . You do get full alot faster !

Proud mommy to three amazing babies!

[toothdoc 2]

That is excellent progress. I never felt "Full" with the band. Your story makes me hopeful.

[Myskinnydreams0605 8]

Be hopeful u will be do great

Proud mommy to three amazing babies!

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

I had a revision from band 2/11...so far I haven't felt hungry. By day 7 with the band I was ravenous!!! (If I get queasy it means i waited too long to eat so basically every 2-3 hours I have a little something so I don't get queasy). I haven't really felt full but after 4-5 bites but just don't feel like eating any more so i am assuming that's full....I lost 14 lbs the 2 weeks pre-op and 10 in the 3 weeks post-op...I'm not blowing the scales up like a lot of folks around here but am steady at 3 pounds a week.... I'll take 3 pounds a week and not starving any day!!! Good luck!!!! (I've also went back to work part time on day 10 post op then full time on day 15....it's been a great recovery other than fatigue)

HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 231.4

[Marla 35]

I had revision on Jan 14 th , I have only lost 20 lbs since I got the gastric bypass, I can eat anything and everything now... With the band I got sick after every meal even after 6 years with the band but idid lose 65 lbs,now i am worried, cause I can eat so much more now.....

[toothdoc 2]

Thanks for all the personal accounts. Three pounds a week with not feeling hungry is great. If I can do that I'll be happy. I'll get my surgery date on March 20th. I'm going to try to be strict so I can lose a few more pounds Pre- op. Any thoughts about adding or removing Fluid from the band preoperatively?

[ElleG 394]

I'm new to the forum. It has a lot of new fresh users and information. I had lap band surgery in April 2009. I lost just about 20 pounds, but could never find the sweet spot with my fills. In 2012 my cardiologist suggested I lose a few pounds. When I reminded him I had a band, he suggested investigating the possibility of a revision. A lot of his banded patient's didn't seem to have much weight loss success. I started the whole process over in November 2012 and in about 10 days I will get a surgery date for the by-pass. I originally wanted the sleeve in 2009, but the insurance company then thought t was experimental. Now, it seems I meet more sleeve patients than any other in the Bariatric surgery practice where I go which is at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. The surgeon is Dr. Christina Li. She advised me that it doesn't make sense to go from one restrictive procedure (Band) to another (sleeve). The Bypass is still the gold standard. I have a better concept of how to eat post-op, and have been able to practice a lot better than I did 4 years ago. I use fresh ingredients and have found better sources of Protein. I should be a more compliant patient. I am a bit worried. I don't want to be disappointed like I was with my weight loss progress with the band. Hopefully the greater restriction and the malabsorption will be the key. I exercise regularly. I hear on the forum that revision patients don't lose as much weight as patients who go directly to the bypass. Can anyone who has had this revision provide me with some feedback. I am 232 pounds. I lost 10 pounds on the pre surgery regiment. My target weight is 175. Thats only a 55 pound weight loss.

Our stories are similar even up to the amount of weight loss with the band, I never wanted the sleeve tho

Your not alone in this journey. I have a tentative revision date of 3/26. I wish u and all of us the best. The failure with the lap band was a huge blow for me. I need to be successful this time!

Good Luck

[toothdoc 2]

I don't know how to reply to a specific person like when it shows that persons' comments in gray.

[pebulz 135]

I don't know how to reply to a specific person like when it shows that persons' comments in gray.

you click on quote on the bottom of their post

[pebulz 135]

i am also worried i wont loose as much as people who just do the bypass but i have ALOT to loose so maybe that will make a difference

[toothdoc 2]

i am also worried i wont loose as much as people who just do the bypass but i have ALOT to loose so maybe that will make a difference

You may make out better since you have a lot to lose. There is so much individual variation with this. I look in the mirror and wonder if I can possibly weigh what I expect when this is all over. We can just follow instructions and exercise and walk and get active and maximize the surgery's effects.

[pebulz 135]

I know i have a hard time believing i can actually be considered average weight lol

[toothdoc 2]

Well I got my surgery date. May 13th. The surgeon had earlier dates but my cardiologist wants a 6 week space between another surgery i am having on April 1st that's not related to weight loss. I thought it was stress on the heart that was the issue. it is actually the concern of being off anticoagulants for a long period that would be required for two closely scheduled surgeries. I'm glad both specialists are on the same page. They spoke on my cell phone on speaker phone while I was in the office. My big sister will visit and keep an eye on me. She is about one year out from RNY and knows about the complications and what I should eat.

[pebulz 135]

Well I got my surgery date. May 13th. The surgeon had earlier dates but my cardiologist wants a 6 week space between another surgery i am having on April 1st that's not related to weight loss. I thought it was stress on the heart that was the issue. it is actually the concern of being off anticoagulants for a long period that would be required for two closely scheduled surgeries. I'm glad both specialists are on the same page. They spoke on my cell phone on speaker phone while I was in the office. My big sister will visit and keep an eye on me. She is about one year out from RNY and knows about the complications and what I should eat.

Yay!!! So exciting glad to hear you'll have your sis to take care of you...thats great that she will know what u are going through did she also have a revision