kellygirl17

Hi Everyone, Not much of a poster but I thought I'd add my experience. I had my surgery on 12/7 so I am one month and one week post op today and doing very well. Mine was a lapband removal and revision to RNY. Hospital 1 night, came home the evening of the 8th. I came home with a JP drain that remained in for one week - it was a pain but didn't hurt UNTIL it was removed and then I had 4 days of terrible pain. I weighed 217 on my surgery date and this morning I weighed 197.1, I'm happy with that but some days it seems like I'm losing very slowly - I try to remember that it's fast compared to regular "dieting". Eating has been fine so far - I am still on mushy foods until I see the doctor next Wednesday so I mostly comsume: Protein shakes, eggs, re-fried Beans, tuna and some soup. I've gone from two shakes to one shake per day because they were making me constipated, ugh. I had a VERY bad dumping episode last week (first one) after eating rice pudding - even though it was low sugar pudding my doctor reminded me that rice becomes sugar as it digests. It was a horrific experience and I hope it never happens again - but, lesson learned, I will be very mindful of sugars now that I know that I am prone to dumping. Sometimes it's sureal to me that I had RNY - I feel very well. I've had a couple of instances where I actually forget - and once picked up an entire sugar cookie (duh, bad idea) but I came to my senses and put it down. I am very much looking forward to moving to solid food - I think that will help keep me full longer (yes, I do still feel hunger)! I hope everyone is healing and feeling well as they adjust to their new tummy! Kelly

Hi - I had the exact same surgery (band to bypass) on the 7th so we are a week apart! I also live in California, near Sacramento! I'd be happy to have a friend in this journey! I hope you are feeling well! Kelly

I had surgery last Monday (12/7) and am back to work today (although I will work from home this week, back to the office next week). I have had a week of ups and downs but the downs mostly have been because of the drain I have, terrible gas and then constipation. I get the drain out this afternoon and the other two problems are better. The combination of anistesia and pain medicine is lethal to the GI system. I am also tired in the afternoons but not such that I can't handle it. If you can take off two full weeks I would suggest you do so - you will feel alot better by that time. By the way - my surgery was a band to bypass revision. Good luck! Kelly

After 8 years with a moderately successful lapband I am revising to RNY Monday morning. I've been painfully aware of my port for months now and can't wait to have it removed. I am praying that no lasting damage has been done and all goes smoothly. I know many are in my situation so I will update my progress next week - wish me luck!

I am having band removed and bypass done on the same day on 12/7 - I'll let you know how I do!

Hi there - I'm right behind you, having my band revised to bypass on 12/7, can't wait. I currently have constant, annoying pain in my port area and the dreaded GERD has returned (have had the band for 8 years). Please keep us posted on your surgery and your progress, I will be excited to hear how you did. Try not to worry - I'm sure it will go smoothly and you will be up and around in no time with your baby! Best of luck, Kelly

December 7th - Lap-Band revision to Bypass. Can't get here soon enough. Good luck everyone!

Don't think about the money - feeling well is priceless. I'm glad your surgery is over (lucky) how are you feeling? How was your hospital stay?

Hi Eveyone - I am writing on this forum to share my own story, not to disparage the Lap Band because I know many people are successful supporters. At the weight of 263 I had a Lapband placed in 2008, paying out of pocket. At that time GERD was my bigggest CM but I have a sister who was approaching 400 pounds so I was worried. At that time my weight was such that Bypass wasn't really considered and the band was new enough that there weren't too many horror stories and I had high hopes that it would be my answer. Since that time my lowest weight was 150 (as a result of a huge bleeding fybroid) but has hovered at about 200 pounds - not great, but not terrilbe. I have had spells of success with the band but most of my experience has been unplesant. Pain around the port and on the side of the port (I've been checked for Gallstones multiple times), unable to lose weight then unable to swallow meat, back pain, etc. The port is placed in an area that I can ALWAYS feel when I bend or wear any type of waistband - it's BAD. Recently I have had consistant chest pain which has been ruled out as being cardiac and is likley more GERD. So, after much thought and discussion with my surgeon I am having it removed and a RNY revision done (one surgery, again self pay, ugh). If I had it to do over again I WOULD NOT have a band placed and I would've had RNY in the first place. There is something about the foreign object nature of the band and port that never felt quite right to me, even when it was working. If you're considering a band and have doubt please ask folks questions before you do so, make sure you've thought about everything, I wish I had. Best of luck to everyone in their journeys!