Hi, I have already posted a couple of times on the site but I haven't really introduced myself properly so I apologise for that. I shall try to be brief though.

I am Helen and I live in Sheffield UK. I had a gastric band fitted 2 years ago after battling with my weight for year. I have an autistic son and have been through Hell (not back yet) caring for him and already having an issue with food i.e. loving it and not having any self control, found myself piling it on. I tried every diet going and it was a familiar story of losing a bit and then reverting back to old habits. To be honest I didn't really care. I had a huge stomach hernia that required surgery but my doctor refused to discuss it with me until I lost weight. And even that didn't encourage me as I was already lost within this huge vicous circle of depression, eating, wanting to be slim, depression, not caring and then caring again. I was at my wit's end and made a very quick decision to have a band fitted. Other surgery was too frightening to consider and as band surgery was reversible I decided to go for it. I was only kidding myself that I wasn't really 'all that fat' and didn't require any 'major' intervention.

Anyway (I said I would keep this brief), I had the band, lost 7.5 stone in a year, my dad died and I had to help my mum deal with all the stress of an inquest etc and cope with my own family, and then I had further surgery on my hernia and to reposition my band which had slipped. Despite following my dietician's instructions to the letter I suffered from horrendous reflux which led to bouts of vomiting thus dislodging my band.

It happened again last year and my band has now been slipped since before Christmas. My surgeon originally wanted me to try and continue losing weight without any further intervention (!!!) but eventually decided that further surgery would be the best option for me as I am slowly regaining my lost weight. As I have already had open surgery he would probably have to open me up again and if that is the case he may as well do a VSG rather than messing about with my band again.

So (phew), I have had my pre-op assessment and am awaiting a date for my revision surgery to VSG. I have researched that and a bypass and have also weighed up having my band repositioned again but to be honest I can't be bothered with it anymore and suspect that I will always be prone to difficulties. That and having to pay for fills and defills and wondering if it's too tight or not tight enough have decided it for me.

I can't wait for my date to come through so that I can start making plans for childcare etc as that is my major issue and not really the surgery. I can cope with that after having had two ops in the last two years. I doesn't really faze me at all. I just want to get on with losing weight again and feeling healthy. This slipped band is not only uncomfortable but causes continuous indigestion plus I feel hungry most of the time so it really is of no use to me now...

Welcome! The band is definitely on its way out as more and more people are developing complications. You are to be congratulated on your weight loss and I think electing to have a VSG was a great decision. Keep us posted on your progress with getting a date and a care provider for your child.