MarianneK

I found BariatricPal when googling for information about gastric bypass after lapband.  I've had a lapband for 9 years, did really well initially as I was exercising like crazy then pulled both calf muscles, tore one of them, then finally pulled my Achilles nearly 3 years ago.  That put paid to both the exercise and my weight loss.  I came to within 1kg of my heaviest weight before banding.  
 
Since July this year when I finally got a decent fill I've started losing again but the band is pretty tight and causing some issues.  After chatting to my doctor about my ankle, needing to lose the weight etc., I said I wish I'd had a bypass, he asked why don't I do it and here I am heading into surgery 30th Nov.  
 
It's all been a whirlwind which is probably a good thing as I don't want to overthink the procedure, the anaesthetic, etc., etc., as the plan is to remove the lapband, maybe take out my gallstoney gallbladder and do the RNY at the same time.  If that isn't possible and Dr Bowden can only take out the lapband then I have to wait 3 months to get the bypass....which includes Christmas, New Year, Australia Day and so many other opportunities to EAT without a lapband's constriction!  Deadly combination for me...so I'm crossing fingers to get it all bundled into the one operation.
 
As far as how I hope to benefit from BariatricPal, I hope to 'meet' fellow bypassers, share my story and give back some of what I have already benefitted from on this forum.  I'd like to be able to support other people as it's nice to know we're not alone in this even though it sometimes may feel that way in the real world.
 
I've already learned so much and been encouraged by all the posts I've read, gained valuable insight from those who have freely shared their experiences and been excited by the prospect of really truly being able to get rid of so much weight - hey if you can do it, I'm going to too!!