Hi

I had lapband surgery last Oct 31. I weighed 22o at the time and, sadly, lost virtually NO weight for 6 months. Then, in April, I embarked on a fairly radical diet wherein I cut out sugar, flour, and soda, and ate all-organic, whole foods, and also exercised quite a bit. I have lost 25 lbs from that.

Here is the problem. I have been advised by my surgeon that I have a hietal hernia which is pushing on the band and causing me lots of reflux and heartburn.

He has suggested that I convert to a gastric sleeve or to a gastric bypass. Either that, or remove the band entirely and do nothing else. (He will waive his fee for any of the above.)

I am currently 195 lbs, at 5"8". I am 44.

Has anyone else faced this decision? What do you think I should do?

Thanks so much for reading this and for any help you may have.

Ginny

What

I think this is something only you can answer for yourself. Personally, if I didn't have any other comorbidities (diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea, heart problems, etc etc) and I had your height and weight, I'd just have the band removed. BUT I am not you, our issues aren't the same, our ages are different, etc. I will say that the things you "cut out" to make your radical diet are the things we were told to avoid from the start...soda is a big no no because of carbonation etc. That you thought this radical worries me a bit...if it was hard for you, how will the other surgeries sit with you mentally?

I preferred the band for the very reason that it could be removed if necessary. I would not get RNY, and I don't know enough about the sleeve to decide. But at your height/weight I'd probably just join WW and a gym and call it done. You are so close to a healthy weight for your height, it wouldn't be worth the risk to me.

A long time bandster WasaBubbleButt had complications and ended up removing the band and had the gastric sleeve done. I would look at her posts and email her because she could give you even more info. I think she had the surgery less than 3 months ago.