So...the endoscopy. The band has completely eroded into my stomach and must be removed. Despite how that sounds, it's not posing any significant health risks at the moment and since I'm asymptomatic, there's not rush to have it removed. That being the case, we're going to wait until the new year so that the new insurance can kick in.
I'm not particularly surprised by the results. I applaud my new lapband doc for testing for this scenario despite no symptoms outside of the rapid weight gain after having been so successful. Emotionally, I'm a bit of a wreck. I can't seem to get over this feeling of failure or hopelessness in regards to my weight loss journey. I'm trying to just push past it and not think of that too much.
What I found particularly interesting is that the endoscopy doc (endoscopist? lol) says they can remove the band via endoscopy. I had never heard of this and just assumed that it would be removed the same way it was put in. I have a follow up appointment with the lapband doc December 11th to discuss further and find out what my removal options are. I'm also going to inquire as to revision options. I had such a hard time getting the lapband originally approved through insurance that I don't have much hope that a revision would be approved. I suppose I could start looking into it. My husband is considering a revision to a gastric sleeve. His band is fine but he's been unsuccessful with it to date. SIGH. We all had such high hopes when we were banded. It's disheartening to see so many of us back at square one.
After my follow up, I may be back in research mode and looking for blogs of others in my same scenario. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the holidays with my family. I got all my Christmas lights up over the weekend and I've got them all set to music which is pretty cool. It was also my youngest daughter's birthday over the weekend. It's so hard to believe my baby is 7! Some pics...
