OK so I suppose now is as good of a time as any to make my announcement.
I am having my lap-band removed.
This isn't exactly a "bad" thing...although it kind of is. The main reason is because it is FULL and I still have NO restriction! You are all witness to my many posts after my many fills and saying that I still don't feel any restriction. It's also been causing a lot of other problems though. I have seriously bad acid refulx lately, caused by my band. And my port hurts ALL the time. Not contstantly, but multiple times a day, for no reason just out of the blue I'll double over in pain from it causing muscle cramps. It's just making my life miserable, especially since I'm not even losing weight with it.
I went and had my fluoroscope over a month ago and they couldn't find anything wrong. The weird thing is that my port has moved about 5 inches down from where they originally placed it. The Dr's are baffled, they have no idea how that happened, because it's not flipped, it's not loose, it just moved.
So next month on the 18th will be my 1 year band-iversary and I have only been able to maintain an overall weight loss of about 15 lbs. I've re-gained everything I originally had lost but those 15 lbs. And I lost those before my surgery, so they don't even count.
The good part of it though, is that I'm not just giving up. I'm having a revision surgery to the Duodenal Switch (DS). I've not a LOT of research and I've decided that this is CLEARLY the best surgery for me. It's what I should have had in the first place.
I don't want to discourage ANYONE who is thinking about getting the band, and I am not in any way bitter or resentful and I will never trash talk the Lap-Band. It works very well for MOST people. I just happen to be one of those rare few who just can't get any restriction at all.
I really hope that my fellow bandsters who follow my blog will stay with me. Our over-all goal is the same, we will just have different tools now.
There will be more posts to follow were I will talk more about the DS, but I wanted to make my announcement.
I'm not upset, so this isn't a "boo-hoo" post, this is a "moving on in a productive way" post. I'm actually very excited for my revision surgery. It's in the VERY early planning stages, but I'm 110% decided on it. So I hope you can all be happy for me :) I am ashamed and embarrassed that the band didn't work for me, but like I've told a few people...at the end of the day I have to do what's best for me and not worry about what didn't work. I tried, and it just didn't work.
So all I can do now is move on and keep working toward my goal of health and happiness!
I'll keep you all posted :)
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I am here for you no matter what you decide. The important thing is that you don't give up! You are going to find what will work best for you and your body. I am proud of you for recognizing that the band wasn't the right option for you, and for searching for an option that is right. I look forward to reading about your progress with the DS. Best of luck, and please continue to blog!
ReplyDeleteI hope the DS works wonders and honestly, can't see how it won't. You gave it a good try and sometimes, you are right, it just isn't the right tool.
ReplyDeleteI will certainly not use this as a reason to not follow. :) You are right, we are all still after the same thing.
I wish you great success in the new journey!
There is nothing to feel ashamed of, it just didn't work for you. You did nothing wrong, please remember that. Like Kristen said, you aren't giving up - you are moving to the next plan - that is awesome! I will "follow" you anywhere, no matter what surgery you have! In fact, I am interested in "hearing" more about the procedure and lifestyle differences. <3
ReplyDeleteWow Steph you have such a positve attitude about it. I am glad you are figuring out something that will work for you. Keep us posted with more details about your DS and good luck!
ReplyDeletei'm so sorry the lapband didn't work out for you. you're right, it's not for everybody. props to you for recognizing what you want and making this change yourself instead of continuing to be unhappy with the band. i'll follow you anywhere as well. as i am also curious about the lifestyle changes involved in a different type of wls. can't wait to hear more about this journey.
ReplyDeleteStephanie - you are not giving up, you're just doing what you have to do to get healthy. I'm sorry you've had so much trouble with the band.
ReplyDeleteYou better keep blogging so we can see how you're doing. What made you go for DS vs. RNY? Just curious.
I agree with everyone else. Im not entirely happy with my choice to have the lap band. I am also almost full in my band and dont have a lot of restriction. I have 4.5 CC's in my 5 CC band. I go in for another fill early June. I have lost 25 pounds in the year I was banded. But since I was lower BMI thats actually half way there. Im going to give it another year and see how it goes. I hope it will work for me. Let us know all the details of this WLS. Ive never heard of DS. Hugs,
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