Hi,

This is my first post, and I have a good reason to now. It was ten years ago today when I got the Lap Band. I was 23 years old, 221 pounds, and barely 5'1 when I became a candidate thanks to Dr. Greenstein at Mt. Sinai.

It was truly unchartered territory. But on that day not only did I meet a woman who was featured on Dateline NBC's report on the Lap Band, but my future doctor was making rounds w/ Dr. Greenstein on my surgery day. Also, I was part of the FDA study which gave the Lap Band its seal of approval. Who know I'd be a part of medical history?

As most of you know, this procedure is lifechanging in ways never imagined. I'm lucky to have this, and for those who have it for ten years or ten days, there's no need to go into detail. You already know how I feel. :whoo:

Congratulations on your 10 year Anniversary! Thank you for sharing this information with us - it helps so much to hear about your success. I admire your courage back then to have this done especially since you were so very young.

Thank you again!

shelli:ranger:

It feels good to here about someone with the band for so long, especially since lately alot of people have been worrying more and more about slippage and erosion. Why did you have to have a revision??? Are you at your goal??? What was you start weight and you current weight??? Sorry so many questions.

I had the revision because the hernia moved the band out of place. The band was crooked, which gave me acid reflux and slowed down my weight loss.

My first doc never diagnosed it, and his replacement um, shall we say, wasn't as caring as my first doc. My current doc, Dr. Ren at NYU, noticed the hernia. God Bless Dr. Ren.

I am 5'1 and weighed 221 pounds, and I'm currently 145. Depending where I buy my clothes, I wear sizes 8-12. I never thought I'd get below 175 and size 14, so this is a bonus.

Thank you for coming to visit us Deelooka! ....and as others have said, thanks for being a willing trailblazer! I'm glad to hear that you are happy and healthy!

WOW, this is just a great great inspirational story!!! I wish more people like you would post and let us all know that it all is ok ten years down the road!!!

When you say revision, are you talking about having had a different type of surgery after the band?

Happy Bandiversary! I am so glad you posted with us and let us know there really are people out there that has had a band 10 years. I guess that is something that is always on our minds, how long the band lasts. You have done a great job with yours, and you should be very proud of yourself. I hope you stick around and post with us often. Congrats to you!

The "revision" is having the band replaced altogether. My band was moved, and since mine was in for seven years, it needed to be replaced. It's pretty common, and within years' time insurance companies will pay for it. (The replacement was out of pocket)

Many people are going to gasp at your comment that it's not uncommon to need a revision or replacement after 7 years, Delooka. But I know what you're saying. For my money, another laparascopic surgery to get a new band and a clean bill of health is a small price to pay, especially if it's being covered by insurance (which my band replacement is).

Seriously, even if I had known back then that another surgery would be required four years down the line I STILL would have chosen the band over bypass. These are minor complications, easily dealt with, compared to the risk of major long-term complications with something as drastic as a gastric bypass.

Delooka:

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THE FDA TRIAL that led to the Band being available in the US and being covered by my insurance! It is people like you who are RESPONSIBLE for changing the lives of so many here.

Also many many thanks for posting. I agree with Alexandra.. even now crap.. someone came in my office..

What a shining example to us all................10 years with a band is awsome and truly inspiring,i am yet to get banded 2 more months but reading this thread has given me so much encouragment thank so much for sharing with us

Mike

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A ten-WOW Bandiversary Cake for you!

Zero Carbs... Zero Cal!

Eat to

your

heart's

content!!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. You truly are an inspiration to each of us starting this new journey in our lives. Do you have any suggestions on pre-op diet and I have to go back to work in nursing 11 days post op any suggestions on how to cope? Thanks again your a real inspriation to me.

Aug. 10th start pre op

Aug. 20th SURGERY DATE YEAH !!!!!!!!!!

Hi i am having my surgery on Aug 13 with Dr. Ren. I believe I have a hernia--- I have really bad reflux---She said she will look for it and fix it during my surgery---i really like her---any advise for my experience at NYU?---I feel like everything will be ok and this is what I should do--and just knowing about you --being that you are 10 years out----really makes me feel at ease---I wish I had done this 10 years ago!

I can't say enough nice things about Dr. Ren and NYU Medical. Everyone on staff did all they could to make sure I was taken care of. Dr Ren fixed my hernia during my revision. My reflux was bad, but once the hernia was taken care of the reflux went down considerably.