Going from Band to Bypass

[april_mba 10]

Hello all, I have had my lapband for 2 years now and never lost any weight from it. I could never find my sweet spot and now I can't really hold down solids. I throw up all the time and I'm just tired. I have to do a 3 months weight loss program with my doctor and I am on month 2. I have an appointment set up with a Surgeon next week to look at doing my conversion. My insurance covers at 100% and since I haven't lost weight that is the only requirement that I had to meet. From speaking with the Bariatric Center I can possibly have my surgery in December, if all goes well. I am open to any advice. Thanks

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[shedo82773 1,236]

Those DARN Lap Bands!!! My hubby had his for 13 years and it malfunctioned. He couldn't hold down even Water. Long story short. He went in for a Revision Sept 2013. It had eroded into his liver they couldn't do the RNY they took the band out and his gallbladder. He got abscesses and was sick for 9 months, 3 months he doesn't even remember!! So just this last June we went to Mexico for his RNY ( had to pay cash because they don't bill your insurance) When they got in there his whole right side was solid scar tissue so he ended up getting the Sleeve. It isn't working too well for him. He is struggling with his mind hunger. I think he really needed the RNY because it is more restrictive and malo sorbent too. I'll bet you can't wait. being sick all of the time is not good. Which surgery are you looking into? I had the RNY July 2, 2013. I lost 124#'s in 6 months and have maintained my weight for 2 and 1/2 years!! It, in my opinion, is the very best surgery. But I do know people that have GREAT results from the Sleeve. Good Luck in whichever surgery you decide on. This is a GREAT place to come for information!!

[april_mba 10]

Those DARN Lap Bands!!! My hubby had his for 13 years and it malfunctioned. He couldn't hold down even Water. Long story short. He went in for a Revision Sept 2013. It had eroded into his liver they couldn't do the RNY they took the band out and his gallbladder. He got abscesses and was sick for 9 months, 3 months he doesn't even remember!! So just this last June we went to Mexico for his RNY ( had to pay cash because they don't bill your insurance) When they got in there his whole right side was solid scar tissue so he ended up getting the Sleeve. It isn't working too well for him. He is struggling with his mind hunger. I think he really needed the RNY because it is more restrictive and malo sorbent too. I'll bet you can't wait. being sick all of the time is not good. Which surgery are you looking into? I had the RNY July 2, 2013. I lost 124#'s in 6 months and have maintained my weight for 2 and 1/2 years!! It, in my opinion, is the very best surgery. But I do know people that have GREAT results from the Sleeve. Good Luck in whichever surgery you decide on. This is a GREAT place to come for information!!

Wow, I hope he gets better and the results he wants. I am having the RNY. You had great results. I only pray that I can do as good.

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[newjerseygirl60 45]

Hello April I am also going for a revision from lapband to bypass after todays last appointment I am going to meet with my surgeon to set a date. Please keep me posted on how you are coming along and I will do the same!

[RJC5197 282]

I had my revision to RNY in May and so happy with it.

My band also go to the point that liquids would not go thru and I was admitted to hospital several times due to dehydration. I also got immunity system problems due to the lack of proper nutrition.

No more Gerd, No more stuck foods, and also, enjoying healthy foods again like salads, meats and eggs, where I could not even try without getting stuck & sick.

Best to you on your revision.

[James Marusek 5,244]

Since you asked for advice, I recommend you do three things prior to surgery.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery. Prior to RNY gastric bypass surgery, I lost 20 pounds just by giving up diet coke.

[shedo82773 1,236]

April-mba I'm glad you are able to go for the RNY!!! I did have good results. I am so pleased with my results. As long as you follow your Surgeon's and your Nutritionist's guidelines you will do GREAT!! Hang on HON you are about to begin the BEST JOURNEY of your life!! You can DO THIS!!!

[Bugaboo77 18]

Oh, I soooo wish I was in your shoes. I was banded about 6 years ago. I've never gotten below 200 lbs. I want to convert to RNY, but my insurance is being stupid. I have no Bariatric doctors close to me. The closest COVERED doctor is 1.5 hours away from me. I'm just lost and miserable.

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[april_mba 10]

Since you asked for advice, I recommend you do three things prior to surgery.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery. Prior to RNY gastric bypass surgery, I lost 20 pounds just by giving up diet coke.

Thank you so much James for that awesome advice. I plan to follow all 3 of them because I want the best results possible.

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[april_mba 10]

Oh, I soooo wish I was in your shoes. I was banded about 6 years ago. I've never gotten below 200 lbs. I want to convert to RNY, but my insurance is being stupid. I have no Bariatric doctors close to me. The closest COVERED doctor is 1.5 hours away from me. I'm just lost and miserable.

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I am having to travel 2.5 hours to a doctor that does the conversion but it's worth it to me to get it done. 1.5 is not bad for the few months until surgery. My first appointment is next week. I wish it was a closer doctor but it's not.

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[april_mba 10]

Hello April I am also going for a revision from lapband to bypass after todays last appointment I am going to meet with my surgeon to set a date. Please keep me posted on how you are coming along and I will do the same!

Wonderful, what was the process like for you?? Please let me know how things go with you.

Those DARN Lap Bands!!! My hubby had his for 13 years and it malfunctioned. He couldn't hold down even Water. Long story short. He went in for a Revision Sept 2013. It had eroded into his liver they couldn't do the RNY they took the band out and his gallbladder. He got abscesses and was sick for 9 months, 3 months he doesn't even remember!! So just this last June we went to Mexico for his RNY ( had to pay cash because they don't bill your insurance) When they got in there his whole right side was solid scar tissue so he ended up getting the Sleeve. It isn't working too well for him. He is struggling with his mind hunger. I think he really needed the RNY because it is more restrictive and malo sorbent too. I'll bet you can't wait. being sick all of the time is not good. Which surgery are you looking into? I had the RNY July 2, 2013. I lost 124#'s in 6 months and have maintained my weight for 2 and 1/2 years!! It, in my opinion, is the very best surgery. But I do know people that have GREAT results from the Sleeve. Good Luck in whichever surgery you decide on. This is a GREAT place to come for information!!

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[april_mba 10]

I had my revision to RNY in May and so happy with it.

My band also go to the point that liquids would not go thru and I was admitted to hospital several times due to dehydration. I also got immunity system problems due to the lack of proper nutrition.

No more Gerd, No more stuck foods, and also, enjoying healthy foods again like salads, meats and eggs, where I could not even try without getting stuck & sick.

Best to you on your revision.

That's great news. I know you are so glad to finally have something like the RNY. I'm looking forward to actually being able to eat healthy food and losing the weight.

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[Havasumoma 250]

I travel 3.5 hours, but I know it will be worth the investment.

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[april_mba 10]

I travel 3.5 hours, but I know it will be worth the investment.

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My thoughts exactly.

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[shedo82773 1,236]

Bugaboo77 When I had my RNY I had to travel 2 hours from home to have it done. Then for the a week I had to stay in a Motel there. After I was seen my Surgeon I was released to go home. I did have to make quite a few trips back to see him because I had to have 5 endoscopes with 4 dilations so I made a few trips back and forth. It can be done, there are lots of people that have to travel to have WLS> Good Luck