Want My Life Back

Yorkie Fan · April 5, 2011

Ok, so I have been reading lots of posts over the last several weeks on here. I’ve even made a few posts, but for the first time I would like to talk about my WLS journey.

I started on my journey in April 2009 at 241 lbs. I was banded with the Realize Band in November 2009. I lost nearly 50 lbs in the first six months. From the time I was banded, as I know many of you are aware, my quality of life has decreased significantly. I will not discredit the fact that I lost nearly 50 lbs with it before gaining back 10 lbs. I would have just preferred to not have been a forced bulimic in the process. Through this whole process, I have experienced the typical complications for a band: sliming, PBing, vomiting, severe pain from food sticking, port site pain, port flipping, port detachment, severe reflux, chronic gastritis, H-Pylori bacterial infection, esophageal stricture, and now just constant pain. So much for something that was supposedly going to have few side effects…I’m thinking that is just hogwash!! As if having all of those complications weren’t bad enough, I lost my surgeon in February 2011. He and his family moved back to Kansas City, MO. He did send me to another surgeon who has excellent references and experience.

So the new surgeon and I have spoken and we are going to remove my band and revise to the sleeve. I am just curious how you all felt going into your surgery? I know that a lot of my hesitation is coming from the fear of one failed surgery. I just want to make sure I am making the right decision and that it is going to work for me. Did anyone else have that fear that a second surgery could possibly fail? If so, how did you overcome it?

Thank you all in advance for reading and support!

Nichole

Tiffykins · April 5, 2011

WHEW that's a hell of a band story, I've been there too. I can honestly tell you that I never doubted the sleeve. I had the band knowing the complications and had hoped to beat the stats. Well, no such luck, it only lasted 8 months before I revised.

The one thing I reminded myself is that before the complications really started kicking in is that I did lose weight with the band. Grant it, I gained 3/4 of it back waiting on my revision, but I was successful initially. So, for me, I knew the sleeve would be the solution, and I would make damn sure that I worked it until I was at goal and maintaining. I was extremely optimistic about my revision, and my life moving forward. I was prepared mentally for the increased risk of complications. Believed that I would WIN and WIN BIG.

Best wishes on your revision, and believe me, the sleeve is absolutely fabulous ! ! !

Rev Me Up! · April 5, 2011

I felt comfortable going in for my revision - my confidence was based on my belief in the doctor I selected. He was a proven revision surgeon and there were lots of testimonials on this web site that kept me at ease. I did not have as hard a time with the band as you did - that sounds awful! I was worried about surgery because it was surgery and I knew what I was in for with regard to recovery. I had some mental anguish around needing a second weight loss surgery. It brings back all the questions about "why can't I do this on my own?"

Let me tell you, I felt better immediately after waking up from surgery. All my complaints with my band disappeared - immediately. However, make sure you read through all the revision stories - check out the revision thread - and see all the different experiences. Some people have more complications with the surgery than others.

I am still going through my recovery period and I don't regret it for a minute. I was THRILLED to get that band out of my body.

Lara

Gracey · April 17, 2011

@Nichole - thanks for asking the question. That's exactly where I am right now.

@Rev - " It brings back all the questions about "why can't I do this on my own?" I wholeheartedly agree plus if I couldn't make the band work (I was always sick as a dog and my stomach couldn't handle as tight of a fill as my surgeon wanted to do.) Hate my band