lilnena

Definitely not the only RNYer here :eek:

I had my band removed on 1/5/09 and converted to RNY on 2/23/09.

So far I'm doing great (for me at least) I'm down 33 lbs in 12 weeks - which is more than I lost in 22 months with the Band! I'm down to a size 18 both top and bottom from a 30/32 top and 28 bottom! I feel wonderful :sad:

Here is what I experienced:

My questions are:

1-If you had a non-emergency band removal, did you have to stay in the hospital overnight?

I stayed overnight, but it was my choice - I could have left that night but pain meds were better in the hospital

2-Does anyone have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and if so, did they pay for the removal?

I have Empire BC/BS and they paid for the removal - didn't need pre-approval either since it was an outpatient - but all insurance policies are different

3-What was the recovery/pain/gas, etc like? Similar to when you had the band placed?

Recovery was MUCH easier. I was off pain meds within 10 days - back at work after a week (and I had my gallbladder removed at the same time as the band)

4-Did you have to do a pre-op diet before band removal? My surgeon said I do not have to but that makes no sense to me because it seems like the work they will be doing in there (band removal plus removal of scar tissue/adhesions), they would need the liver to be shrunk and out of the way and I have a history of having an enlarged liver.

No pre-op diet - just 24 hrs of liquids before surgery

5-How long after surgery did you have be on liquids?

1 week liquids, 1 week mushies, then regular food again

I'm anxious to hear how surgery went for you and lilnena. Did you guys get to meet? Are you feeling okay? I know, it's early, but I just hope you both did well and are having a smooth recovery. Take care!!!

My surgery went wondefully and I'm home recovering now

I happened to meet DLD in the hall, and she looked great. Not sure if she is home yet!

Good luck to you! Maybe we can get to meet if I need to stay overnight. I'm going to private message you my cell phone number so you can give me a call.

I'm getting ready to leave to go to the hospital now (have to check in at 6AM)

Per my surgeon (who does the same thing) he says that the stomach needs time to heal and return to its original shape before the next surgery to do the RNY

Well,

Removal surgery is scheduled this Friday..how's that for quick, and RNY is scheduled for January 26th. I've got a couple of questions for my doc, but I want to run this up the flagpole with you all first.

Why not do the surgery all at once?

I've not had any fill in months, so I can't imagine i would need to give anything a "rest", no reflux, heartburn etc.

How much (of the instestine) does he plan on "bypassing" Who has discussed this with their surgeon? If so what kind of answer?

Thanks for any and all input!

I am having surgery on monday and I have gained 3-4lbs...depending on the day. I have been trying to get it off. I am scared to death surgeon will cancel my surgery. Also when I go to their office....it never says what my scale at home says or what my nutritionists office says?(which are the ones who said to proceed with the surgery). Has anyone been in this situation or does anyone have any advice?

First off, big *hugs*

Looks like we will be at the same hospital having surgery the same day!

What time is your surgery scheduled for? Are you just having liquids today like me?

When I was banded 3/07 they didnt' weigh me the day of surgery. And 3-4 lbs isnt' enough of a gain for them to really make you not be able to have surgery.

The weight loss support groups say that unless you gained back like 10-15 lbs then Dr Singh might make you postpone, but like i said - most people aren't even weighed the day of surgery!

Hope to hear from you soon

So how was the recovery after having the band removed? Mine is coming out tomorrow, and I hope to be back at work a week from tomorrow! My RNY is scheduled for 2/23! So no PB or sliming with the RNY? Wonder what makes that different???

Are you doing it with Dr Singh? What time is your surgery tomorrow? He is removing my band at 7:30AM

I know I'm a few months late, but I wanted to chime in too. I love Dr Singh and Albany Med. I wouldn't go anywhere else for my care. While his bedside manner isn't the best - he is good at what he does.

On Monday he will be removing my band and 2/23 he will do my revision to RNY but really there is nobody else I would trust to do my surgeries!

XRay Chic - how are you doing? Who did you end up going to for your revision? DId they do it all in one day?

He says the stomach needs time to return to its original shape and to heal before he will do the revision to bypass, so I have to wait 6 weeks in between surgeries

How is everyone doing so far?

My surgeon won't do the band removal and RNY in the same day, so I'm having my band (and my gallbladder apparently) removed on Monday, and then 2/23 will be my RNY surgery date!

I plan to start taking new Before pics on Sunday before my surgery :confused:

Sandy, I saw your pics - you look great! We need to see new pics now :cursing:

Paula, I'm glad your insurance covered it. I had a few moments of panic because my husband got laid off from work, but then I got insurance through my job, and had my approval for the RNY within 24 hours (the band removal they consider outpatient so precert wasn't required)

I'm very excited - my band is being removed on Monday! Then about 4 weeks till I can do abdominal exercises, and then my RNY will be 2/23. I just know that 2009 is going to be a great year for me :Yawn:

I had my preop appt on Tues, and they found I have gallstones, so I'll be having my gallbladder removed Monday as well!

I'll keep everyone posted :thumbup:

Well I decided to come by here today, and I'm glad I did.

I was banded 3/21/07. I lost 50 lbs before surgery. After surgery I had lost another 18-20 lbs, but now have gained most of that back (the 18-20 lbs - still down the 50 I lost before surgery)

For me my issue has been my port. It has flipped on me twice, which prevents me from any exercises with stretching (including swimming)

January of 08 the surgeon went in and fixed the first flip (after telling me for MONTHS that it was normal the pain I was having)

Then I waited 8 weeks (he had said 4-6 weeks) before even attempting to exercise - then SURPRISE - the port flipped again.

Since then my surgeon was unable to fill the port without floroscopy, and I just can't afford that ($75 copay). So instead of having ANOTHER surgery to fix the port of a tool which isn't doing me any good without restriction and exercise, I have made the decision to revise to RNY.

My boss asked me to wait till after the holidays due to work being too busy at that time, so the band removal is scheduled for 1/5/09 and the RNY is scheduled for 2/24/09!!!

Well I decided to come by here today, and I'm glad I did.

I was banded 3/21/07. I lost 50 lbs before surgery. After surgery I had lost another 18-20 lbs, but now have gained most of that back (the 18-20 lbs - still down the 50 I lost before surgery)

For me my issue has been my port. It has flipped on me twice, which prevents me from any exercises with stretching (including swimming)

January of 08 the surgeon went in and fixed the first flip (after telling me for MONTHS that it was normal the pain I was having)

Then I waited 8 weeks (he had said 4-6 weeks) before even attempting to exercise - then SURPRISE - the port flipped again.

Since then my surgeon was unable to fill the port without floroscopy, and I just can't afford that ($75 copay). So instead of having ANOTHER surgery to fix the port of a tool which isn't doing me any good without restriction and exercise, I have made the decision to revise to RNY.

My boss asked me to wait till after the holidays due to work being too busy at that time, so the band removal is scheduled for 1/5/09 and the RNY is scheduled for 2/24/09!!!

So far I've had great experiences with him. He can be arrogant at times, but he knows what he is talking about and I wouldn't let anyone else touch my band!

Gina - this will be my third fill. I'm at 1.75cc of saline so far.

Jen, I'm so sorry for the drama. Doesn't your mom know you don't need that right now?? Sorry about the Water retention as well. This humidity sucks! That is great you are getting your friend back. Just don't forget about me ok?

:hug: for Kat

So this morning I weighed myself for the first time this weekend - and.....

I'm down to 240.5 so that is 76.5 lbs lost in 1 year and 22.5 lbs lost since surgery :clap2:

:clap2: Janine that is awesome!

And - I weighed myself this morning! Lets change that number to 76.5lbs in 1 year :whoo:

Denise you look awesome!

Thank you all for the encouragement. I just keep telling myself once I reach my "sweet spot" then I KNOW the weight will start coming off again. So I can't wait

I'm doing a few days of liquids - mostly because I've been sick and having issues with vomiting, so I'm sticking to liquids to make sure I keep stuff down!

Thats because the April Bandsters are so wonderfully supportive. Its why a few of us March Bandsters joined in with you guys

I just realized today makes 1 year since I started on the Lap Band Journey! I'm right around 75lbs lost! While only 20 have been post banding I'm still damned proud of that

:hug: for you Denise! What a stressful week indeed! Hopefully next week will be better, but enjoy your weekend

Janine, I'm glad your unfill helped you feel better!

Denise, I'm sorry you had to have your whole band unfilled, but hopefully the eczema will calm down soon and you can get filled again :hug:

Tammy - you are doing so awesome! You will be in Onederland before you know it!

The Marchies are all doing great

Hello my fellow Marchies!

So here we are - almost 6 mos out for me!

I've never regretted getting my band! It hasn't been an easy journey for me, and since being banded I've lost between 18-20lbs depending on the day. Before my band though I lost over 50lbs, so in all here I am a year past my starting on the band journey (Actually TODAY is a year since I started) at 317lbs!

So I've lost just about 75lbs in a year! So while I may not have lost much since the band in total I've still done great, so I take my victories as I can

Oh Jen :hug:

I'm so sorry for all the money stresses. I'll be sending you some good luck vibes so you can get the new job as well as the money which is owed to you! :hug:

I was bouncing around (pateau) the same 5 lbs since 7/27 - had a fill 8/16 and still bounced around in the same 5 lbs. So I called and had a fill Thursday morning (I wasnt schedued for another 3 weeks out) - and finally broke the plateau!

Congrats on breaking the plateau! :clap2: Hopefully my fill on the 11th will do the same