HELLO TO ALL, MY NAME IS DEBBIE,

I AM 59 YRS OLD AND ON JUNE 28TH TRAVELED TO JUAREZ MX FOR A REVISION WITH DR RODRIGUEZ AND DR ARAMBURO (GREAT SURGICAL TEAM BTW) HOWEVER WHEN I WOKE UP FROM SURGERY I WAS TOLD THE BAD NEWS THAT THE REVISION COULD NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO EROSION. AFTER ALOT OF CRYING, THE DR EXPLAINED THE AREA AROUND, ONTOP OF, AND UNDER THE BAND WAS INCASED WITH SCAR TUSSUE, INFLAMATION, AND TONS OF ABDOMINAL Fluid. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SCAR TISSUE WAS WEAK AND MUSHY AND HE COULD NOT CONTINUE BECAUSE THE STAPLES WOULD NOT HAVE HELD. HE ALSO THOUGHT THAT MY BODY HAD REJECTED THE BAND FROM THE START. HE ALSO GAVE ME THE NEWS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT 6 MONTHS FOR MY STOMACH TO HEAL ENOUGH TO GET MY SLEEVE.

I HAVE BEEN READING YOUR FORUM, YOUR UPS AND DOWNS, AND TRULY I NEED TO FIND MY NICH AND FRIENDS TO TALK TO, COULD THIS BE THE RIGHT FORUM?

( sorry I just discovered my caps lock key was on )

Aloha Debbie.....I think this is definitely the forum for comfort, encouragement and information. I just want to say how sorry I am that this has been such a long road for you. My road has been easy and short, but because we are the same age, about the height and I also started at about 203 lbs, I at least want to say, DON'T GIVE UP!!! Once you can overcome the fact that you have to wait again, and if the doctors feel it's safe for you, then there is an entire new world out there. I didn't have the lap band (was talked out of it because of complications and am very happy for that) but I have written about my experience each Sunday for the last 8 months.....because we are similar in other ways, and because someone else's blog gave me the confidence and courage to do this, you may want to take a look at it. The link is below.

Good luck, keep your chin up and keep in touch.

Queen of Crop

WOW!, I hope you are well and you will heal and hopefully get you sleeve if you desire at that time.

Hello Queen of crop!

Thanks for getting back to me soooo quick! I see we are even close to the same birthday. Your kind words are encourageing, I'm sure you know when you have your hand on the ring but just can't grab it how that might feel. I am however glad to know there is a support out there with wonderful people like you.

Debbie

I hope you heel well and rapidly...that six months will go by fast.

I can understand the disappointment of not completing the procedure when you planned; however, as they say good things come to those that wait. Do what is best for your health. Look always at the positives, he did not say it absolutely couldn't be done and the damage will heal itself in time. Good luck on your journey! In due time what you desire will be yours.

Debbie!!!! It's Toni!!!! We were in Juarez together!! So happy to find you on here! My husband and daughter came with me?! lol just making sure you know who I am!! Anyway, so happy to find you =) I know you will be fine, are you still wanting to do the surgery in December?

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I know you must be so disappointed. Hang in there, six months isn't as long as you think. xoxo.

Tonibug how are you doing? of course I know who you are, I was going to call you this weekend (free cell you know) to see how things were comeing along? I will E Mail you later for your phone #. I sure hope you are doing well and can't wait until December. Are you able to get in your protein and water? it sounds as if everyone has problems with that. Soooooo glad you found me...Debbie

Hi. I know that you are disappointed that you didn't get your sleeve done, however it may be a blessing in disquise. This will allow your tummy time to heal itself from the band. You will have less chances of leaks. I am a revision, and I will admit that waking up without and band AND without a sleeve was my biggest fear. There are several doctors that won't do the surgeries together. The have the patients wait at least 6 months to a year before attempting the sleeve. I wish you the best! I hope that your tummy heals quickly, and that you are able to get your sleeve in 6 months with no problems!

Thank you Iwannabeslim, I_sd8_em, enigmachic, sweet tee, Lakobeoo, .....

All of you are so sweet with your encourageing words, you don't know how much this means to me

Sorry about the disappointment, but glad that you have that horrible band out and you can now start healing. All hope isn't lost, you'll be right back there in 6 months getting your sleeve. Stay positive!

Hi again Debbie....not sure if you know this, but there is a group on this forum for people going from band to sleeves. You might want to check it out too: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/13-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

Deb...welcome to the 50's group. So sorry to hear this happened, but it seems like the doctor did the right thing and did not put you at risk of severe complications by trying to proceed. I assume they were able to REMOVE your band and port so the healing can begin right? I would go ahead and use this time to eat healthy and limit your calories and be sure to excercise while you are waiting for your sleeve. I started my WLS program last September, and had surgery this April, so that was an 8 month wait, but it went by very quickly and I was able to lose 30 pounds in the process, making my sleeve surgery even safer.

We'll be here to support you through this!

Katie713, Thanks for the welcome and encouraging words and yes they did remove the band and port and a lot of other gunk as well. Since surgery on the 28th of June I have been trying to eat high protein and have managed to loose 5lbs. I am trying to stay positive and am looking forward to December for my Christmas sleeve

Deb....glad to hear you're in the healing mode. So glad I didn't get the band, never heard of the sleeve procedure until I was referred to the bariatric program with Kaiser. Kaiser doesn't even do lapband anymore. I know deep in my heart the sleeve is right for me and that I can reach a healthy weight with this tool.