Debba

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I'm just about 2 months post-op and feeling great.  I have to admit, I'm really sorry I didn't have RNY the first around.  I was afraid of the surgery - afraid to have my innards re-routed.  The band seemed the least invasive with the least downtime.  I don't want to be a band basher - it worked great for me at first.  Then things took a turn for the worst and it had to come out.  If I knew my surgeon then, like I know him now I definitely would have had the RNY first.  I trust him with my very life!!  He's operated on me three times now - first, the band, then my gallbladder removal, then the revision to RNY.  He's the best - hands down!!

My revision turned out to be a part lap, part open procedure so my recovery took a bit longer, but in 3 weeks I was back at work.  Now, I'm eating practically everything (haven't tried red meat as of yet, like a burger or steak but I will).  The one thing I absolutely couldn't eat with the band was French Fries - my all time favorite food.  They would somehow congeal or clump up or something and  just wouldn't go down.  Now (and it's probably not a good thing) I can eat french fries without any repercussions.  I don't go hog wild, of course.  But I can savor a few and really enjoy them!!

Right now my goal is to get to a normal BMI.  For me that would be 140 lbs.  I am 13 pounds away from that goal.  Actually, I'm happy at this weight, but after all of this I just don't want to be considered "overweight" anymore!!

I'm about 4 weeks post-op and feeling terrific!  Had my post-op visit with my doc on 5 Jun and he said I could return to work on 8 Jun since my job is mainly a desk job - no lifting involved.  I've already lost the 18 or so pounds I had gained back prior to surgery.  At least now all my summer clothes from last year fit me again (some are even too big now).  I'm eating mushies right now, so I haven't really had any "food" food, but so far NO REFLUX!!!  I have to give a shout out to the South Jersey Bariatric Group - what a great group of doctors.  I was in the hospital 4 days and I saw someone from that group every day - on my last day I saw my surgeon twice!

I don't want to bash the band, I really don't.  It worked for me for two years.  I don't know why it took a turn for the worst!  My doc said the band was in place, didn't slip or erode.  The hiatal hernia was very small, pretty insignificant was his words.  We really don't know what happened, but I am glad it's outta there. 
I'm looking forward to finally eating some good, healthy food!!

Had my surgery on May 19th.  My surgeon had explained to me that he was going to start out laparoscopically, but there was a good chance he would have to revert to open due to scar tissue.  He was able to do most of the surgery lap - the band removal, the hernia repair, even the intestine re-routing.  However, he had some difficulty making my small stomach pouch so he had to make about a 6-in. incision to complete the surgery.  Went in on Tuesday, released on Friday afternoon - not bad considering all that was done.  I had planned on a 2-week recovery, but the open incision extended me another week.  That's OK, though!!  I'm feeling pretty good this morning (Saturday) and a good night's sleep. You know, you never get a restful sleep in the hospital - they pester you all night long!!  Plus - I had to have two units of blood so for most of my stay I had an IV in each arm... not pleasant at all!!  BUT, I'm home, feeling better by the hour, and ready to start my new RNY life!!  Thanks for all the kind words everyone!!!

Alot has happened since my last post.  I've been having major reflux problems for the last 6-8 months.  I appear to have a small hiatal hernia that went undetected prior to my band surgery.  My band has been empty for most of that.  I gained 10-12 lbs back and I'm not a happy camper.  The empty band helps with the vomiting but not so much with the regurgitation in the middle of night.  I wake up choking - it's very scary.  About 8 weeks ago I decided to get just a small fill - I was so disgusted with the weight gain I was desperate!  About 4 weeks ago I had to have it removed - the regurgitation was crazy!!  After much discussion with my surgeon, we decided a revision was in order.  I did so well with the band, and I was afraid that without it I would be back in the same boat again.  The hernia needs to be repaired, but in order to do that the band has to be removed and most likely won't be able to be put back on due to scar tissue (I also had my gallbladder removed, so there will definitely be scar tissue).  First I decided to go with a Vertical Sleeve.  I knew deep down my insurance company wouldn't approve it, but it was worth a shot.  Got turned down.  After a few more weeks of suffering, I decided to go with RNY.  My surgeon was sure that procedure would get approved.  He had just come from a conference where the main subject was revisions and felt confident he could get an approval.  Sure enough - he did!  Actually, it appears they are leaving the type of revision up to him, so if I still wanted the sleeve he could do it but he doesn't think the sleeve is going to resolve my reflux issues.  If I'm going for a revision, I want EVERYTHING corrected, so it looks like it's RNY for me.  I'm scheduled for 19 May 09.  I'll try to keep up with my postings!

I was so thrilled with a weight loss over the holidays and then bam!  I started having issues with acid reflux big-time.  I was puking up dinner several times a week and a couple of times I woke up in the middle of the night gasping for breath - choking from the reflux.  If I didn't know any better, I'd swear my gallbladder had returned! 

The first thing Dr. Wasser did was empty my band to give me some relief from the vomiting.  My throat was so irritated!  He sent me for an endoscopy to make sure there was no damage to my esophagus and that the band was OK.  He didn't think there was any erosion or I would be vomiting all the time, not just a few times a week.  I was able to get breakfast and lunch down with no problems.  Dinner was my big issue.  I was already on Nexium for acid reflux (I've had reflux for about 15 years) and he prescribed me Axid to take in the evening.  That seemed to help a lot.  I called to schedule the endoscopy.  The next available date was in 6 WEEKS!  I had to go six weeks with an empty band, including my vacation in San Francisco.  It's amazing how much more you can eat with an empty band.  EIGHT POUNDS more, to be exact!!!  Yes, I gained 8 pounds.  I was freaking out!!!  

By the time I had my followup appointment with Dr. Wasser I was a nut case!  The only problem he could see from the endoscopy was the hiatal hernia.  Everything else looked good - no band erosion and the esophagus looked just fine.   I told him to fill 'er up and quick!!  He laughed - said I should be glad it wasn't gas he was using or he'd have to add on a surcharge!  He went with a conservative fill (just .6 ccs) and that seems to be working just fine.  Happiness is a tight band!!!  

I had a one-month followup with Dr. Wasser this morning and I'm down 3 lbs.  We opted not to do another fill - seems like any more than .6ccs irritates my hiatal hernia.  That's OK - I never had anymore than 1.5ccs in my band anyway and took off 70 pounds so I'm OK with .6ccs.  Five more pounds and I'm back where I was and then 10 pounds to my goal.  I WILL get there!!

I was very concerned about getting through the holidays this year.  I'm 15 months post-op now and this year the holidays scared me a bit.  Last year I was only 3 months post-op and really into my weight loss phase.  Restriction was good, I was losing weight very steadily, and I breezed right through without a second thought.  This year wasn't so easy.  I'm very complacent with my band now.  I will allow myself to eat things now that I would never have done a year ago, but I know my limitations, too.  Went to many parties this holiday, did my share of "picking" on the holiday goodies.  I stuck with mostly protein (cheese - lots of cheese!) and just a few cookies.  I maintained my exercise program through it all.  My daily exercise is so routine to me now, like brushing my teeth.  If I don't do it, which isn't often, I feel awful.  I managed to get through the holidays with -- are you ready -- a weight loss!!  I ended up losing 2 lbs. over the holiday.  Yippee!!!  I'm so close to my goal now that every ounce counts.  I am so pleased with my 2 lb. loss.  Happy New Year!