Revising my band to the RnY

Feb 23, 2013

February 23, 2013

10 years have passed since I started a journey trying to get the gastric bypass and at the beginning, I was only overweight but really healthy and could do anything physically - within reason. After trying and getting insurance denial in 2006 after going through the ringers trying, I paid for and got my band done in Mexico which went well but I never had much restriction despite going in and getting adjusted and always had dysphagia. After having a baby a couple years after the band in 2006, I gained 40 of the 48 that I had lost and I kept it on. This leaves out a rear end accident in 2005 and shortly after that, WLS became very important as I did not heal much and I was left with permanent neck and back problems which now consist of herniated disc with sciatica, neuropathy and now foot surgery all from that accident slowly consuming my health in a negative way. In the beginning the back didn't bother me as much as the neck. I may have back surgery this fall or next spring. I had foot surgery 8 weeks ago after getting plantar fasciitis in the right foot because of the weight shift secondary to the neuropathy in the left. Then I got it in the left foot too. When I started losing my mobility, it was time and I scheduled with Summa bariatric in Akron, Ohio because I want a revision. I have completed everything - the 6 month diet, the tests, the band removal 9 days ago and I have lost 15 pounds weighing in at 244 and my United Healthcare Community Plan is being submitted to as of Wednesday (Not sure of the actual date the packet will be done but soon). The office seems pretty confident that I will be approved.  

So it's time, the right time, the right circumstances. I am afraid of the complications I could have and afraid of my eating addiction, afraid I won't lose enough, and afraid I'll gain it back. This is so opposite from when I was too confident when I got the lap band in 2006. This time is different - so much has changed and this is the only thing that can help me turn it around and I decided I could live dying slowly or live with possible complication issues but LIVE life.  

I have 5 kids now ages 4-19. I quit being a nurse in 2006 - I gave up because the pain was too much after the accident. I couldn't think in all that pain. I had always managed the depression and stress intolerance - with food and by totally falling apart after my work week ended so while I lost my identity - so I thought, I feel so much relief to just be what I am and take care of myself and my kids. I did graphic design for 4 years and it was good for the time but the pay fizzled out in 2009 and so now - I am a stay at home mom and I am ok for now with that title. I may go back to a form of nursing or who knows, lets see how healthy I feel when I have lost weight.  

My sister Mandy is doing this too, she is a lot sicker than me and has been for years aside from my accident stuff. I hope her life is revitalized and I guess I am glad to go first so that I can answer questions for her - she is a couple of months behind me in the process and will definitely be approved because she has all of the big comorbids.   Fingers crossed for the approval.

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