SoccerMomma73

My doc originally was going to convert at the time of band removal then got in and said too much damage and inflammation, he wouldn't be able to make the pouch like he wanted and it would be larger than optimal. I don't need ANYTHING larger than optimal . So he closed me up an said 6-12 months to heal. My surgery is 6 months and 10 days,after My insurance is being great. The coverage is better now than when I got the band. They're basing my BMI and comorbidities off my pre-band stats because I wouldn't qualify now. The first couple months were HELL waiting....I'm anxious to get rolling but not as overwhelmed as I was in August!!!

The stomach slides up over the band, sounds simple but is absolutely horrifying to live through! There are some people who have a total unfill, go on liquids for a long period, and the prolapse/dilation can possibly resolve. It seems those that resolve are fairly rare and them remain at an increased risk of repeat prolapse. You don't HAVE to convert to anything. You can have it removed and do nothing, essentially go back to a normal stomach if you'd like. My surgeon said no way would he repeat band me after a prolapse, not safe. My band came out August 1, I convert to bypass Feb. 11. Good luck!!!!!!

High self esteem?!?!?!?amazing!!! I've never heard a psych have issues with anyone having high self esteem . Good luck!!! Im 40 days from bypass....band removed August 1 so 40 days seems like nothing now

My insurance company based my revision on my pre-band weight. As much as I HATE insurance companies, mine was extremely helpful in the revision process (revision to bypass for me). Good luck!!!!

Pain was really not that bad though my port site was annoyingly sore for 4-5 weeks....for me the hardest part was the emotional roller coaster!!! Yay I feel better!!! Oh crap I'm going to gain 300 pounds!!! Up and down up and down,took ,e a good month to settle down emotionally. Good luck!!!!

Jealous jealous jealous!!!! February 11....94 days left!!!! Basically half way there but still seems so far away!!!!

The port site is the worst!!!! Yes it stayed bruised as heck and puffy and was by far the worst of my pain? Best of luck!

I'm a family practice PA and have no doubt I could have done my own....but that would have been stupid.....

Similar....although I could start eating more normally a few days post op so I wasn't as exhausted as I was post band. Had surgery on Wednesday, started working on Monday, slowly . Good luck ladies!!!!!

He said it had to come out, I said I want a bypass, he said why, I said xyz..piece of cake. Recovery isn't really much different than just recovering from the removal I hear. I still had 6 weeks no lifting, I am taking off a full week when I do the bypass, I returned on day 5 post op after band removal.

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Best wishes my friend! I have to say reflux free life is awesome!!!! Not waking at night choking or with my sinus cavities on fire is a great great thing . And for me it's apples and celery......they are heaven, pure heaven. Good luck, I hope you heal quickly and are a huge success with weight loss on your own. I'm now 2 months out and really fighting not to regain a ton before my revision in February.

And no more reflux!!!! AT ALL!!!!!!

Recovery was a piece of cake for me....I had a slip and for the 2 weeks or so before removal was living off sips of juice and was worn out and in pain. I think it just felt so good to get that darn thing out and not feel like I was having a heart attack I really didn't notice much else! My diet instructions were 'advance as tolerated' which was no help at all. I had no restriction at all post removal but after the weeks of misery and pain it took a while to get up the nerve to try solids. I did liquids for 2-3 days then soft for a week ish....then I went stark raving crazy with apples, celery, and carrots because I COULD EAT!!!!!! Seriously, I went through 2 bags of celery the week I realized I could eat it again . I did have 6 weeks of no lifting >10 lbs, other than that I felt totally normal about 10 days post-op. Good luck and keep us updated!!!

It varies a lot....the slip itself was not painful for me but attempting to eat made me feel like I was having a heart attack. Severe chest pain radiating to my jaw and arm, it was awful!

Yesterday was my 'oh crap how am I going to make it til then' day. It's hard, it sucks, but 1 day at a time. 138 to go (for me) one day at a time dear

I'm on the surgery calendar for February 11. Only 139 days to go!!!! I've gained 6 pounds this month after gaining 0 my first month bandless...no ones fault but my own but that doesn't make I any easier! Have I mentioned I hate waiting?!?!?!?!

I'm a family practice physician assistant. Over the last 11 years I've watched numerous patients go through all 3 surgeries. I am just personally more comfortable with the actually RNY surgery (the procedure itself as well as risks, dietary changes, etc) as well as being more confidant in the outcomes that I've seen. I have a patient who is 400+ who had bypass years ago, I know it's not a guarantee (darn the luck!). It just feels right for me and my lifestyle. Also, after the last year of hellish GERD, the thought of that returning with the sleeve terrifies me (I know it's not a huge risk but the whole waking up at night with stomach avid coming out my nose really sucked!). (I also have 2 dear friends who were sleeved last year, no major problems but 1 is 6 pounds less than when she started and the other is about 30 pounds less and still has about 130 to go....this is 11 months later for both) I actually originally signed up for bypass at my original surgical consult 3 years ago and then let my mom talk me out of it (she had gastric bypass in 1981) really really wish I had just trusted my instincts then! On a side note, I still educate my patients on the pros and cons of all 3 procedures. I am very open with my own journey and struggles and I don't bash the band, but I do make sure people are aware that you don't just go get it taken out if you don't like it and that there's the potential for long term consequence.