Gloria A.
I originally had lap band surgery on 12/21/04 ... I did well with the band for the first 9 months, then my weight loss came to a screeching halt. I started to struggle from that point forward with weight gain and trying to lose the last 40 or so lbs (I lost 100 lbs for about 1 day, so I claim 90 lbs).
In 2007, I started having issues .. more weight gain and real frustration. My problem was not losing weight on the many, many diets I had been on .. but keeping the weight off. It started to look like my yo-yo weight problem was returning. Statistically I was still a success, maintaining a 70lb loss, but I was not happy. After what I believe was a too tight fill (not from my surgeon) and pouch packing - hey, if I didn't have an eating disorder ya' know - my stomach had started to mushroom over the band. My surgeon is sooo sharp, he suspected something was wrong w/ the tool (not me) and ordered a fluoro .. he rushed me to meet with the radiologist to prove to me things weren't "good" .. so we let out all of the fill .... 7 - 8 months later I had regained 50 lbs (40 lbs from my original weight).
We decided on a Lap Proximal RNY revision (150cm) .. I had just had a full hysterectomy and a revision to a distal was going to be risky w/ healing in that area and I didn't want to wait. Plus, he and I know I am so bad w/ my vitamin regimen, Distal was probably not a good idea and probably not necessary for me to reach goal. Insurance paid for my revision.
It was a 5.5 hour surgery, lotsa adhesions .. my band and my body were ready for the divorce apparently. The part that hurt the most - the area where he removed the port - I think he really had to dig it out (I keloid .. can't imagine what that port site looked like).
Six months out, I am down about 65 lbs .. weight loss has slowed but body shrinkage has not (isn't that just the weirdest thing!!). I have completed the Seattle to Portland Bike Challenge in July (204+ miles in 2 days) - one of my goals for this year .. and work out 3 - 5 times a week
I had to learn to eat all over again - again. I am still a "newbie" so I eat about 2 - 3 ozs per meal - 1.5 oz if it is meat like steak or pork, diligent about my protein and trying to get a vitamin routine. I have found the weight loss to be quite different this time. I am losing more "fat" than with the band .. leaner. My arms didn't really get small as I lost weight with the band where with this revision, my arms are losing fat in proportion to the rest of my body.
I have severe dumping .. I can tolerate moderate amount of fruit but no juice of course. Very low tolerance for sugar and simple carbs of any type (rice, crackers, bread, pasta you name it) .. I keep trying (yup - still have the disease) and "relearn" via aversion therapy - the "sleepies" is a mild reaction where as "attack heart w/ nausea" is a strong reaction to sugar or things that become sugar quickly. Fruit doesn't do this ... but of course, I don't eat much fruit at one sitting either. Since I am a sugar, simple carb junkie ... I am okay with the severe dumping to reinforce my surgery.
I have a lot of loose skin ... but well worth it ... I have no qualms about getting plastics done next year ... I consider that a part of the process.
12/2004 LapAGB (Srikanth): 280/145/180/195 .. unfill and regain to 240
1/8/2008 Revision Lap Prox RnY (150cm): 240/145/175
Resting HR: 48 bpm (woo hoo!)
