I'm new-have LB thinking of converting to GBP - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

JPage · 11-04-2009, 03:27 PM

Hi I'm Jacqie
I had my band placed in 2005 I was successful for the first 6 to 7 months, no issues, was very focused. In that time frame I lost approx 75 pounds. Since then it has been a stuggle, non related surgery, staph infections due to surgery for 4 1/2 months, too tight, too loose, too stressed - making it tighter. I never seemed to be able to hit the "sweet spot" I got into the soft food syndrome and just have not gotten over it. I now have gained most of my weight back - I have a small leak in the port so any fill leaves in just a few weeks, my insurance does not cover any doctor visits related to my band and will not cover the port correction. I have gained most of my weight back I'm only 15 lighter then my pre surgery weight - I feel like a total failure again - another diet another failure. I am very heavy, still functional in everyday life but very heavy. I have started seeing a psycologist to help figure out why food is so important to me. I think I need to work on the head too. I will be switching insurance (Tricare) next spring - They cover the bypass - I will be attending a surgeons seminar in Jan. I was told the surgeon will remove my band in one surgery then 6 weeks later will do the bypass. I am very nervous about the rerouting of my insides. I worry that I failed with the band what is the chance I will fail at this too - I have great support at home now which I did not have before - that was part of the stress issue. Any advice or info anyone has I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
Jacqie

UndercoverDiva · 11-04-2009, 03:56 PM

Hi, Jacqie! Welcome to TT! There are a few people on the forum who've gone from Lapband to RNY with great success. You'll find a lot of support here. If you do a search for "revisions," you'll come up with tons of info.

Claire-in-Texas · 11-04-2009, 05:35 PM

Here is what happened to me....

I decided on gastric bypass, and it was during the first 6 to 8 months, when I was not hungry and couldn't eat much, that I worked on my own bad habits. I discovered a lot about myself during that time, I call it peeling away the layers of the onion. It was a revelation.

Now I don't eat for the same reasons. I eat because I love food, and because I have learned that there are some delicious foods out there that are very good for me, low in calories. I about 6 meals a day, and enjoy every bite!

It's a relief not to carry the burden of the emotional eating thing. And I credit the surgery's post op period for giving me the time to reflect.

The best of luck to you!

rsw · 11-04-2009, 05:41 PM

I am in a similar boat. I was banded in 2004 and never really lost much weight, and always found it very uncomfortable. I am so with you on the failure front. I am mortified that I even managed to stay fat after weight loss surgery! My surgeon recently suggested that I convert to GB and I am now scheduled for Feb 3. I resisted it for a while b/c I always thought my bmi is not high enough for GB, but now I am just excited. My impression is that most people will lose on GB, but you do have to work on your issues b/c it is easy to regain. I am so excited now and just counting down the days til feb 3! I can't say that you'd be making a good or bad decision b/c I don't know yet, but you are not alone!