Albert G.
My adventure begins in July of 2009 when I had my first Lapband Surgery. I had great results loosing about 110lbs until I had my first slip in 2011. When my band was repositioned the implant never worked the same again and the tighter it got, the sicker I became, and the weight piled on again.
In 2012, I got the advice of a new bariatric surgeon to evaluate what we could do to make my band work better. (I have nothing against my original bariatric team, I just wanted a fresh set of eyes looking at my situation.) I met with Dr. Alexander Abkin through the recommendation of a personal friend of both him and I coincidentally. I was hoping he could fix my band (without surgery) . I was not expecting his and a gastroenterologist findings.
The lapband has caused me to develop esophageal motility disorder and severe gastroparesis. First thing, the lapband HAD to come off asap! Afterwards, Dr. Abkin advised me to consider the RNY Gastric Bypass as a treatment for the motility and gastroparesis. My gut and other doctors told me no way! It will all fix itself, everyone else thought!!
Well after 3-4 months my symptoms got worse and the weight piled on. I went to Temple University and met with Dr. Henry Parkman, a gastroparesis and motility specialist (who reminded me of Dr. House and Elmer Fudd in the same person!) He re-tested me and found that my stomach and esophogus were no better and actually a bit worse. When asking about my options I was told....well there is a great new medication...only side effect...IS WEIGHT GAIN!.....OK THATS OUT!!! and the next was he was in agreement with Dr. Abkin, my best course of theraputic treatment would be the RNY. It would help my gastrointestinal issues and solve the weight as a bonus.
So, here we are. I write this exactly 2 weeks post-op RNY and I begin another journey....Excited and Petrified all in the same breath.
Thanks for listening!
