Hello From Chicago

[Amy Michelle]

Welcome! This site is a wealth of information. I have made it part of my daily routine to read at least one older thread. I learn something new here every single day.

Thank you. Glad to be here

 

[duh_Mom]

Hey Amy Michelle, glad you found us - I am a recent DS conversion from an old lap-band too.

 

[Amy Michelle]

Hey Amy Michelle, glad you found us - I am a recent DS conversion from an old lap-band too.

Thank you for the welcome. How long ago did you have the DS? Any information you would like to share would be appreciated. Just out of courisity and if you don't mind sharing...what made you decide to do the DS over Gastric and what kind of issues were you having with the band?

 

[duh_Mom]

Hey @Amy Michelle I had surgery just 80 days ago. I never really lost any weight with the crap band - 25 pounds before and 20 after. Then I put all that back on and lots more, just like always. I began having lots of challenges with my legs due to a bad back. The ortho doc really did not want to touch my back until I was a BMI of 30, and my BMI was 49 ish.

I went to the bariatric surgeon to see what my surgical and non-surgical options were. He told me I was a prime candidate for the DS. I was not sure what I wanted to do so began reading and learning everything I could. I had always felt like I needed some malabsorption so the DS fit the bill. I would have had a VSG when I had the lapband, but it was not paid for by insurance at the time which is kind of comical as insurance would not pay for the DS. They did pay to have the lapband removed because I was having increased reflux. I had regular fills initially and had a good restriction, it just was not working for me. As it turned out, I had extensive adhesions and the lapland had grown to my liver and I had developed a big hiatial hernia.

I had some pretty serious complications after surgery that required a second surgery - I posted about it if you want all the gory details. However, it is all better now.

 

[Amy Michelle]

Sounds very family @duh_Mom....I lost about 30 before surgery and maybe 35 after then platued for almost 4 years and just recently since they released the band completedly I have started putting weight back on and now almost back to my pre surgery weight...very frustrated I would like to read about the complications can you direct me to the post you are talking about. Thanks, Amy

 

[duh_Mom]

if you do a search for posts by me in the main forum - called "I'm here - Finally able to post" - it was in early July. I could not figure out how to link to it. If you can't find it, PM me and I'll give you the details. Thought about cutting and pasting here, but figured folks don't want to read that stuff again.

 

[aprillperkins]

Welcome Amy Michelle and good luck!

 

[chevtow]

Hi and welcome Amy,

I had a virgin DS with Dr. Alverdy at U of C and live in the area (north shore). I am very pleased with the results.

For a revision, even from a lapband, you will want to seek a revision specialist.

Wishing you all the best,
Hilary

I never realized you were so close Hilary I'm in Green Bay. Go Packers !

 

[hilary1617]

@chevtow,

I live about half an hour south of the border on the lake, but I'm not just a neighbor by state, I am a fine product of WI. Born in Milwaukee and lived in Mequon until the ripe old age of 4 - but alas I don't remember those days.

I was in BeerCheeseLand just last weekend (at Apple Holler picking fruit and eating brats along with what appeared to be the vast majority of families residing in the area).

Hope all is well!