Born Lucky
5-year Bandiversary Message
Sep 07, 2011
Posted to the lap band forum 9/5/11:It's hard to believe it's been 5 years since my lap band surgery. I used to be very active on this board (TamifromAL), but sporadic in the last couple of years. I thought I'd share a little about my lap band experiences and observations.
I opted to self-pay for my lap band surgery in Sept. '06, because my insurance only covered RnY, and I really didn't want to go that route. I had been a life-long yo-yo dieter, and had lost the will to go through yet another long period of diet deprivation only to regain the weight again. I knew that wls was likely my last chance at a permanent change in my health and weight.
Although I was not "perfect", for the most part I followed my surgeon's guidelines, ate very healthy, and lost weight right off the bat. I was down 30 lbs. before my first fill 6 weeks out. I started exercising after I'd lost about half of my excess weight and the plantar fasciitis that I'd suffered from for 2 years had started to abate. I lost 100 lbs. within 9 months, and was at goal (-120 lbs.) in a year.
Then life started throwing a few roadblocks, including my mother's death, non-lap band health issues, economic issues, job changes, empty-nesting, a move to a new state, and menopause. Through all this, I've managed to keep my weight within a reasonable range of fluctuation, and I have to thank my band for that.
I am happy to say that I've yet to experience any significant band issues. I had my port swapped out for a low-profile port after I lost so much weight that it showed, and I had my gall bladder removed a couple years after surgery. Neither of those would be considered a "complication" of lap band surgery.
But, I am now completely unfilled, and have doubts that I'll ever be able to utilize my tool again. The reason I was unfilled was due to an ulcer that was diagnosed via endoscopy last spring. It has healed, but I really want to get off of the PPI meds that I've been on for 2.5 years before I attempt a fill again. I'm in the process of tapering off the meds, but I have to wonder whether the band is impacting esophageal function. If that's the case, then PPIs will be in my future for the life of the band, and I probably won't rock the boat with more fluid in the band. I was not educated about PPI meds, and their impact on nutritional absorption, and I'm lucky that my labs to this point have been good. I'm now getting the appropriate supplementation to hopefully prevent deficiencies in the future.
Based on my experiences, I have a few pieces of advice to those new to the band. First, be pro-active in your own care. Don't wait for restriction to *make* you lose weight. Make the decision to do all you can to get healthy and lose weight quickly. Use the band as a catalyst for change. Don't blindly accept medication (like PPIs) without knowing the possible impacts of that med. On the other hand, don't ignore symptoms that need to be addressed.
Wishing you all the best! Hope your Labor Day is a good one!
