What to do?

[leatha_g 4]

I think I agree with Paula. Unfortunately, the people I've known of that had eroded and were rebanded eroded again, even more quickly. :mad: I just don't think I'd want to take that chance the second time around.

I have a friend there in the LA area who had a laparoscopic bypass with an apparently very impressive doctor. She has lost 110lbs since December and doing very well. No complications whatsoever. She is also about 60 years old. I am so very impressed with how well she's done. If you want, I can find out her doc's name as well.

Whichever way you go. I sure don't envy you the decision or having to go through a second/third surgery, but I'll sure be sending good thoughts your way!!

[terrriho 0]

Penni,

Decisions, decisions, keep an open mind. I am working at getting banded and just had a conversation with my gastro doc last week. He favors the bypass over the band (not what I wanted to hear). He believes the "foreign" object in the body is prone to probems (and yours would confirm his opinion) whereas he says in the hands of a "skillful" surgeon bypass is a safe and effective option. I have researched the bypass and the complications can be scary but with advances in techniques perhaps complications do not occur as often as they used to (I believe the same can be said for the band). I guess before I made the decision to get rebanded I would want to know as much as I could about the recurrence of erosion the second time around. Good luck with your insurance, good luck with your decision and know that we wish the best for you.

T

[Penni60 45]

Ya know the hardest thing sometimes is finding the RIGHT doctor. I have that I completely trust Dr. Billy. I just have to make a decision of what to do or not to do. That is my issue.

Paula and Leatha: Yes I have thought about all those issues. This is what has me leaning with the bypass but my big question is "do I really want another surgery to recuperate from that will re-design my insides." Big question for me. That is why I got the band in the first place. SIGH!! I didn't want my insides re-designed. SIGH!!!

Praying every day sometimes two and three times a day. I know the "BIG GUY" is getting tired of seeing me on his caller ID. LOL!!

Kathy we are going to be in East TN and then Baltimore, MD. If interested then email me privately at penni@pennimerrick.com

Paula, Louisiana is not on our radar map this trip, but keep us in mind if you wanna ever do one. Just shoot me an email at the address above. The Endo's would be for the duration of having the band. He wants to catch any sign of erosion early. He is just nervous re-banding me.