Revision decision is not easy

Jul 18, 2014

I just realized today how long it has been since I've written anything.  I went back and read my last post and it was so full of hope and excitement for the future.  Fast forward 7 years and the future is now.  What did the future with my band bring me?  Frustration, failure and weight gain.  I'm not as heavy as I was when I started the WLS journey is 2007 but I am close.  As of Thursday July 17, 2014 I weight 331.4 pounds.  I have struggled immensely and have felt like such a failure because that is what my lap band surgeon always told me. I've come to realize that it wasn't me that was the failure it was the surgery option that I chose.  I should've never had the band.  But, the doctor I chose was such a one trick pony that I didn't know I shouldn't be having it because he never suggested any other options.  I've also learned to steer clear of doctors that aren't truly Bariatric surgeons.  By the way he closed his practice and left town in a two week time frame with only a letter to his patients. I've heard rumors but, seems to me those are fishy circumstances.   Since he has left and I've been forced to find a new doctor which I am finding isn't such a big deal, I have decided to look into a revision.  I've been to several WLS seminars with different physicians trying to find one that I am comfortable with and also one who is compassionate and interested in helping patients like me.  So Thursday July 17th I went to a WLS seminar with a different practice and bariatric surgeon.  I sat and listened to what he had to say, watched his very informative power point on 4 different options although he only performs 3 of them.  That impressed me.  After the seminar I was weighed by one of his staff.  This is where I found that I am actually 5' 5.5" tall and 331.4 pounds.  I had another woman at the seminar come and ask me if I was the one who was looking for a revision and what procedure I had before.  We talked for a bit and I was honest with her about my experience with the band.  After a few minutes she asked me if I knew what surgery I wanted.  I told her that I was going to let someone smarter than me and with more experience make that decision this time.  The nurse overheard what I told her and said "Wow, that's very open minded of you.  I don't know how open minded I am but, all I do know is I am only interested in revising once.  I was finally able to talk to the surgeon and ask my questions.  We had a very honest discussion about the current situation, what procedure I had, what my co-morbidities are etc.  He then said he would recommend an RNY for me.  When I asked why?  He said that the sleeve was a restrictive only procedure like the band and why would I want another restrictive only procedure when the first one failed. At the end of the conversation he said to me "I look forward to taking care of you." I've never had any doctor say that to me.  He was so honest and compassionate I knew immediately that I had finally found the surgeon for my revision.  So, I left all my insurance information and now I am waiting for a call back.  Lord I hope I can get this approved. 

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