Band to RNY..first steps

[monken 135]

I am totally angry that I didn't do thorough research on the band. Now having to put myself through two more surgeries to get another 40 lbs off just to save my life or lets say prolong it a few more years. I am a little scared because these are major surgeries and I'm almost 71 years old. But whatever happens will be God's will and have to put my faith in him that he put in the hands of the right surgeon this time.

I put in tons of time researching the band back in 2008 with my first band... I'm just sorry I put in more research on the bypass i could have possibly saved having 3 surgeries myself .

I read and witnessed so many botched bypasses it scared me.

[tlc0u 3]

I was reading some of yalls siggies. Was there a reason you did the band first and not rny or what? Like with me they said I didn't qualify for the vs, band, ds bc I had GERD so severe I actually sprayed the radiologist during a swallow study..they give u that like alcaseltzer (sp) tab stuff and it got half way and I went to say I'm gonna puke and when I opened my mouth it was full Linda Blair everywhere, impressive but gross lol. Anyway, I was just wondering about that that's gotta be hard having to go thru two major surgeries like that..I couldn't imagine.

Well I had my Lap Band done about 4 years ago, back then they were really pushing the Lap Band, we are military too. I didn't want to see a military Doc for any type of surgery, I have heard way too many stories about things going wrong. Well the providers that I had a referral for all pushed the Lap Band really hard, you had to be a part of a study, but you can get a bad Doc either way I guess. I was told it was the healthier way to go, pretty much lied to. When I started having issues I would go in and he wouldn't even run any tests just said to do better next time, with weightloss and heartburn. I got to the point I couldn't stand to eat hardly anything besides milk products. My Doc which was in Colorado Springs, said that they would never remove the band and that it would be a part of me for life. I just didn't feel right, we moved and it was later found that I had gallbladder issues, I had a hiatial hernia, that was not corrected before surgery so I got a double whammy from heartburn. I kept telling the Doc something wasn't right. Well my first visit to the new Doc after we moved, he sent me for a scan that afternoon, and it was also found that my band had slipped. I was so angry about it, but then I decided to upgrade to RNY. Once they did the surgery, which they removed my gallbladder and Lap band I felt soo much better. I didn't realize how much pain I was actually in from Lap Band cause when they took it out it was such a relief.

[iamworthit 208]

Well I had my Lap Band done about 4 years ago' date=' back then they were really pushing the Lap Band, we are military too. I didn't want to see a military Doc for any type of surgery, I have heard way too many stories about things going wrong. Well the providers that I had a referral for all pushed the Lap Band really hard, you had to be a part of a study, but you can get a bad Doc either way I guess. I was told it was the healthier way to go, pretty much lied to. When I started having issues I would go in and he wouldn't even run any tests just said to do better next time, with weightloss and heartburn. I got to the point I couldn't stand to eat hardly anything besides milk products. My Doc which was in Colorado Springs, said that they would never remove the band and that it would be a part of me for life. I just didn't feel right, we moved and it was later found that I had gallbladder issues, I had a hiatial hernia, that was not corrected before surgery so I got a double whammy from heartburn. I kept telling the Doc something wasn't right. Well my first visit to the new Doc after we moved, he sent me for a scan that afternoon, and it was also found that my band had slipped. I was so angry about it, but then I decided to upgrade to RNY. Once they did the surgery, which they removed my gallbladder and Lap band I felt soo much better. I didn't realize how much pain I was actually in from Lap Band cause when they took it out it was such a relief.[/quote']

I got my band five years ago and have had a horrible relationship with food since. I never had reflux before now I do. I can't eat a normal food and I am constantly embarrassed to eat in front of people because when I get stuck I just push food on my plate. I didn't tell many ppl about my band so it is very uncomfortable. I am looking forward to getting it out and getting a reset button with my weight loss.

[Rnychica 14]

Well I'm having my band out on June 17. It been a miserable struggle the last 4 yrs. On my lean liver diet then clear next week . Can't say its been easy I've been struggling .after not eating for 4 yrs. That's all I want to do .I know I can do it .just have to keep telling myself I can!!! When I decided to have the band I was afraid of having my insides cut on . Now I wish that's what I would have chosen after all the misery the band has caused me . Can't wait one more week to RNY and the rest of this crazy journey!!

[oldoneyoungagain 200]

Just had my band out 5/23/13. Still a little sore but no pain whatever. Now completing the three dietitian visits and a pre-op meeting and all will be submitted for the RNY. Was totally angry with my band, never once did I have any issues and when it was discovered by my new doctor it had slipped I was totally p.o'd. at the former doctor. All could have been avoided had they ever done a fluroscope when they filled. But some is my fault, should not have had the band in the first place. Should have done more research but there wasn't as much out there almost 4 years ago as there is now. Oh well, hind sight is better than foresight. Moving onto to better things with a positive attitude.

[iamworthit 208]

Well I'm having my band out on June 17. It been a miserable struggle the last 4 yrs. On my lean liver diet then clear next week . Can't say its been easy I've been struggling .after not eating for 4 yrs. That's all I want to do .I know I can do it .just have to keep telling myself I can!!! When I decided to have the band I was afraid of having my insides cut on . Now I wish that's what I would have chosen after all the misery the band has caused me . Can't wait one more week to RNY and the rest of this crazy journey!!

My conversion is the 12th I am so ready!!

[Rnychica 14]

My conversion is the 12th I am so ready!!

Good luck tomorrow , sending prayers your way !!

[iamworthit 208]

Awe thanks!!!

[momlambert 77]

Good luck! You are definitely worth it!

[Emily Brokaw 0]

I am a Colorado Band to Bypass too! Congrats on the approval. My band was with Dr Snyder at Swedish in Englewood and my unbanding/bypass surgery was done by Dr Snyder at Rose in Denver.

I'm still in the steps to getting approval. But i am seeing Dr. Snyder as well. How did you surgery go, and were you pleased with his staff etc?

[ForeverFat? 9]

Hi everyone! It is so good to read all your stories. It brings me comfort to know I am not alone in this fight.

384lbs Sometime in 2007 (I do not know how I lived through that)

343lbs Feb 2010 Banded

290lbs May 2014 Dialated Pouch with vomiting and pain! (60-80 lbs lost during this past 4 years) (I yoyo 30 lbs)

Jun 2014 After researching I asked surgeon for revision to RNY

Tomorrow is my upper GI endoscopy so the surgeon can see what he has to work with for a bypass! I am so nervous and excited at the same time. I yoyo from 265-290 only this time I am at 290 I am stalling. Due to stretched pouch I had to have the band loosened. At least I have no more pain and vomiting. My asthma has gotten 100X worse guys. My hips and back and screaming for mercy. I am praying for this revision to bypass ASAFP. I am a single mom of 2 kids and summer time is an ideal time. I learned so much from the band, and I do not consider it a waste at all. I would never have been able to drop below 300lbs without it.

Comments, advice, and all stories welcome!

[Sina Take 2 3]

Hi everyone! It is so good to read all your stories. It brings me comfort to know I am not alone in this fight.

384lbs Sometime in 2007 (I do not know how I lived through that)

343lbs Feb 2010 Banded

290lbs May 2014 Dialated Pouch with vomiting and pain! (60-80 lbs lost during this past 4 years) (I yoyo 30 lbs)

Jun 2014 After researching I asked surgeon for revision to RNY

Tomorrow is my upper GI endoscopy so the surgeon can see what he has to work with for a bypass! I am so nervous and excited at the same time. I yoyo from 265-290 only this time I am at 290 I am stalling. Due to stretched pouch I had to have the band loosened. At least I have no more pain and vomiting. My asthma has gotten 100X worse guys. My hips and back and screaming for mercy. I am praying for this revision to bypass ASAFP. I am a single mom of 2 kids and summer time is an ideal time. I learned so much from the band, and I do not consider it a waste at all. I would never have been able to drop below 300lbs without it.

Comments, advice, and all stories welcome!

[Sina Take 2 3]

Hi there, I am in the process of going band to bypass too I had my upper GI in May along with some other tests. My doctor has given me the all clear. I am giving the band one last try (only a 2 month trial) just to make sure 100% that it is not working.

Good luck with everything

[joy59 81]

When I went to the general wls meeting there were several people there having a band to RNY revision and during the presentation it was brought up that this surgeon no longer recommends or does banding. Just thought it was interesting and with the posts here I can see why.

[Sina Take 2 3]

When I went to the general wls meeting there were several people there having a band to RNY revision and during the presentation it was brought up that this surgeon no longer recommends or does banding. Just thought it was interesting and with the posts here I can see why.

I have heard this from a few people. I can honestly say that if I could change my primary surgery to sleeve or bypass I would.