Well, Ive been thinking about this since January...I am now 3 days from my surgery and I am scared and excited..but this isn't my "first rodeo".

In 1998.... I was 380lbs and became a clinical trial for the RNY Gastric Bypass with Silastic Ring.  The ring was being tested to see if it would hold nutrition in the stomach longer for absorbtion.  The RNY worked perfectly...I lost 180lbs.  The ring...well...it has been a problem since 2001.

In 2005, the slipped and strangled my intestine which required surgery.  I barely survived.  I had major complications including a heart attack and bloating of the unused stomach.

I have matained my weight loss for all these years but have not made it to my goal weight.  I am hoping this new restriction is the extra tool in the arsenal that I need to make it to my goal weight.

I know this is going to be difficult...I have been racing triathlon for 12 years since my bypass and I have given up the rest of my season of racing to do this procedure and get to my goal weight.  I have scaled back my workouts but hope to return to swimming, biking and running 2 weeks after surgery.

I guess I am hoping that some of you can give me insight into how you handled the liquids only part of your journey.  Just staying on a baratric diet PRIOR to surgery has been hard.  Any insight would be appreciated!! 

Melissa

Best wishes, I wish you great success :o)

Wow, that must have been a really difficult decision, on so many levels.  I'm sure a lot of thought went into it to come to the conclusion this was your best step forward.

Best wishes with this endeavor. 

You know Melissa - you look absolutely fantastic in your April 2012 picture.  I know you are down to the wire to have this surgery but if I were you ESPECIALLY with the horror you experienced with the silastic ring I would not have another band placed on my stomach.  You've done incredible with your RNY, why have this potential trouble planted within you.

Whatever you do, I wish you all the success in the world.  I pray that you never have a complication.  You have worked so hard (look where you've come from - AMAZING!!!) and deserve the outcome you desire.

Many Blessings,
L

Melissa,
12 years of triathlons!!! Yeah for you. I just started running this year and am getting ready to progress from 5Ks to 10Ks. Since you lost and maintained your weight loss over the years, I would stay with the RNY. Why add a band? To me it's about the risks. Is it worth having another surgery to lose 10-20 pounds?  I don't think so. Being as active as you are is proof enough you are at goal. The scale does not have to dictate that. Your actions do. 
Tom

Staying on liquid after the band is not half as hard as the Baratric Diet.  I was not hungry after surgery because your stomach feels full after surgery because of inside swelling even though the band is left empty so you can get use to it.  If you can answer these three questions truthfully to yourself only you will know, if you can get you to goal.  Do you still eat fast?  Do you eat foods like sweets, ice cream, slider foods?  With the band it is chew chew chew a half cup protein and vegetables and exercise (which you look like you have that down) and it should get you to goal:)

Nance   

Why not take this time then to research so you don't have to go through a 3rd rodeo?


This  states a 50% failure rate for the lapbands! I would hate to see the same thing happen to you after not losing all you anticipated with your RNY. :-(

Dr. Garth Davis- 50% Lapband failure rate