LAP-Band Veteran HELP!

[sbrick 8]

Hi! I'm Stephanie. I have been banded for 5 years! I have been noted as being one of the success stories for my area. I lost a total of 137 pounds with hard work and then assistance of my band!

After losing the weight, I had 10 pounds of excess skin removed and I was ready to move on with my life! My surgeon that removed the skin told me that in some band patients, as the swelling from my skin removal subsided, my band could potentially tighten. Did it ever! I got down to 147 pounds and eventually had trouble drinking Water (all of a sudden one morning). I went and talked with my lap band doc and he decided to take all of my Fluid out. He scheduled an upper GI and I was unable to have my X-ray done because I found that I was pregnant. I told myself, "you know what to do, so just take care of you and baby." To my dismay, I miscarried at about 10 weeks. Since then, I emotionally ate because I was sad. One morning, I looked in the mirror (after gaining 36 pounds) and realized, "this is how you got as big as you were, get it together." So, I started working with a nutritionist and a trainer 3 months ago. In that time, despite my hard work, I have only managed to lose 4 pounds. Weightloss is good, though! I was tired all of the time and never had energy. I am also hypothyroid diagnosed. I met with an endocrinologist at the beginning of the week to have a complete blood panel and talk about my struggles. He told me with a smirk that patients with hypothyroid only can be purely successful with the assistance of WLS. Then proceeds to tell me that my surgeon no longer offers banding. That my doctor saw that the failure rate was far too high. He's strictly sleeve and bypass now. I suggests converting my band to sleeve since I ran into so many complications.

So, I contacted my band surgeon's office to tell all of this to. An upper GI has been ordered and I have an appointment with my band doctor next week. I was told he only converts band patients to sleeve if they meet certain requirements. What I'm wondering now is if I actually weigh enough to qualify.

SW: 268

GW: 145

CW: 179

Has anyone else gone through any of these struggles or have similar personal experiences? I know that I'll officially know next week during my doctor's visit if I qualify but I worry and stress over things like this ahead of time. Any kind words, similar stories or advice would be much obliged. I'm feeling like a failure at this point and need some friends.

Thanks for reading,

Stephanie

Memphis, TN

Edited April 3, 2015 by sbrick

[B-52 7,113]

I cannot comment on converting from band to sleeve...can't hurt...any WLS is better than none...

If I read your posts correctly, the band got tight after cosmetic surgery...I can understand that.

So, the Dr. did a complete un-fill....I can understand that also.

But then you got pregnant....after which you never went back to get Fluid put back in your band?? If that's the case, then your band is doing nothing....it is to most people as though it's not there at all....

Whether it's Lap band surgery, or the sleeve, or whatever, it is apparent that WLS is needed for us to loose weight and keep it off...

Good luck on your revision to the sleeve...I'd be curious how it all works out.

[sbrick 8]

I did not. That's where I went wrong! Thank you for your input!

[enjoythetime 1,457]

@@sbrick firstly thanks for posting this! I don't have any advice or experience regarding the switch from band to sleeve but your stats are almost spot on to mine in regards to your starting weight and your goal weight. Since you've not had any Fluid put back into your band can you start with that? It worked well for you once and it can again. Maybe do some research on other band specialists in your area and find one your comfortable with and start with a small fill and work your way back to that sweet spot and then you'll be back on track. If it were me that is where I would start. I think this would 1) help eliminate some of the stress you're feeling regarding whether or not you'll be approved. 2) if it does work then you don't have to put your body through another surgery. 3) if it doesn't work for whatever reason you haven't lost anything.

These are just my thoughts and what I would do if I were in a similar situation.

I've been on the fence for about a year now regarding having excess skin removed and actually this morning was doing some additional research on this. May I ask you a question? When they did your cosmetic procedure, I'm guessing by your post that they didn't remove any Fluid that was in your band prior to surgery?

Research and weigh all of your options before making a decision. You will make the right one for you I'm sure!

Good luck with everything and keep us posted on how you're doing!

[sbrick 8]

@@enjoythetime Thank you so much for the insight!! I am so happy you responded! And about the cosmetic surgery, no Fluid was removed prior to it. I had a fill this morning and an awful experience with my lap band doc so I'm just trying to stay positive and start my new journey from here!

Edited April 9, 2015 by sbrick

[enjoythetime 1,457]

@@sbrick I'm THRILLED you went and received a fill this morning! Whoohoo! Here's to the start of a new beginning! You've got this 100%! Just in case you're interested there is a GREAT thread on this site under the band veterans call the accountability group. It's a great source of support and inspiration you should stop in some time!!:-)

As for the horrible experience with the Dr. sorry to hear that but hey there's many more out there so put that one to the side and find another one!:-)

I'm so happy for you!!

Edited April 9, 2015 by enjoythetime

[LSF 264]

I'm a band to sleeve patient. I do like the sleeve but there are quite a few people that have posted who were very successful with the band and revised to the sleeve and their hunger is worse. And those that weren't successful with the band ( myself included) do better with the sleeve. The people who were successful with the band seem to do better with bypass. This is just info I've gotten from other people posting. Good luck to you

[AussieSam 234]

I've had the band for almost six years almost and I would never convert to the sleeve I just keep learning new ways it can help. I believe the band and the sleeve do the same thing they restrict your ability to eat a lot. I did in the past consider turning to the sleeve but realised I needed to fix my head for any real success. Good luck on whatever you chose.

[Carrie81 5]

Sorry to hear this happened....wish you the best of luck for your new beginning! You can do this!