And why are you here? Did you move to PEI and become a Canadian?

Its sad that although this Island is such a supportive place, because of certain ones I dont feel I can be candid like I want to be. The last thing I want to happen is to have others come on this thread and band bash when you are in need of some good old fashion hugs! (by way of soothing words) So I guess I will just pm you.

I don't need the block feature to ignore someone. Actually it's more fun without using it...they hop around and act all silly and I just laugh. it's sort of like having a court jester, you know?

I saw my new surgeon Dr Lautz today at Brigham and Women's. They seem to think that my swallowing issues are due to me being too tight for too long. My band has been empty since November and I have gained a whopping 40 pounds! We discussed all the possible options - replacing the band with either an RnY or a Sleeve, doing nothing, removing the band. I guess the immediate next step for me will be to get an upper GI in 4 weeks and then if my swallowing issue has improved, slowly try to refill my empty band. If the swallowing issue isnt getting better, then he suggested that I consider alternative surgeries. I expressed my concern about the RnY - the malabsorption issue and getting my insides rearranged and he assured me that the malabsorption really isnt as big a deal as I always thought depending on where he does the cuts for the surgery. The sleeve he said doesnt have many long terms results but there is concern that it isnt that effective after a year or so. He said that the issue there is how narrow a sleeve he makes it. (First I heard that!) He is concerned that if I get another band or if he repositions the existing band I will end up with the same swallowing problems I have now. The long term effects of leaving the band where it is now is that perhaps I can eventually get an enlarged esophagus which would contribute to a slip or something. I asked him about cancer - he said it wasnt that much of a risk but that replacing the entire esophagus could possibly be. (Major yikes!) I guess the good news is that I think I can trust this guy - even if he isnt exactly proband - I think he's good and reflective of the options. If I do get a revision it wont be for another 6-8 months though.. We talked about whether insurance will pay and he assured me that he thought BC/BS would because of the swallowing issues but this state hasnt approved the Sleeve yet.. This is a brain dump - it's just good to get it down in writing..

First of all, APOLOGIES to my peeps here. I know I should keep quiet and I will, but not right now. Sue, I'm assuming you're talking to me, since it came to my mailbox. Yes, that quote was mine and it was a JOKE. Trying to lighten the mood of one of my friends who is struggling with an important decision. When you eavesdrop on conversations that you have no business listening to, you're bound to take them out of context. What is really annoying is that now we have you two here, when what our friend needs is to solve her problem. She's trying to work the tool SHE ALREADY HAS. Your time would be better spent going after newbies. If and when we want information on the DS we'll come find you. I'm happy with my band. I'm not fat and I'm not miserable. Have a nice journey.