Introduction, Band to DS, what do you think?

[katieahuf]

Hi there,
I just posted my little basic intro on the introduction thread, but I felt like this was the right place to tell my story and hopefully get some feedback from you all.

I'm Katie, I'll be twenty-two next month, living in central NC and I have had my Lap-Band for three years as of this September.

From day one, the band has given me issues. I had too much swelling in my stomach three days after surgery and I had to return to the office to have the small amount of fluid they had inserted during surgery to check for band function removed so that I could swallow liquids. After that, we did three to five fills and I lost thirty pounds, going from a starting weight of around 340 pounds down to around 310 pounds. But as more fluid went into the band, more acid came up. I had acid reflux before the band, but it became a severe issue day one post-op and has been ever since. Eventually, they did an upper scope, found ulcers forming and I had all fluid removed from my band (this was all within the first year of having it). I quickly regained the thirty pounds and then a few more. The last thing my lap-band surgeon told me was that and I quote: "I can't do anything else for you unless you want to do Gastric Bypass." I believed I had failed and I never went back.

Even though it has sat empty in my stomach for these past two years, I still have painful swallowing, chronic hiccups, sliming, nausea, regurgitation of chewed food, shoulder gas pain, stomach tenderness, pain, and burning and swelling when I eat. Everything gets stuck unless thinned with water or washed through with liquid, no matter how much I chew.
I've been seen by another surgeon who wanted to 'try again with the band', tried to see one surgeon who denied me before I stepped foot in his office and now I'm going through the pre-op process with the first doctor willing to remove my band, Doctor Enochs. He recommends revision to RNY. I was considering it, wanting to do it but never comfortable enough with it and stressing out over my choice between RNY or nothing every day.

Until I heard about the DS. This surgery makes sense to me. I have PCOS, which means my hormones are all over the place causing my metabolism to suck and my body to hold onto fat like a pro Sumo wrestler. My crazy hormones also cause my ligaments to be permanently loose, which means my ball joints pop out at the slightest provocation.. which means swelling and pain on a semi-regular basis.. which I take NSAIDS for. I have acid reflux, which I take my PPI for. With the DS, I could still control the worst of my joint pain and my reflux and it would help me lose weight despite my hormones holding me hostage.

I'm currently at my highest weight of 360 pounds at 5'7 making my BMI a total of 56.4.
My big goal is to get in the range of 200-180 lbs.
I plan on seeing my Psychiatrist (who specializes in WLS patients) several times throughout this process.
I don't mind taking pills, not one bit.
I had my gallbladder yanked out last year and have had some pretty reactive bowels ever since, and I'm single so I don't care if I smell.
If I keep gaining weight like this, I'm probably going to die young anyway without ever being able to ride my horses again.
I am terrified of failing again. I'm also scared of being sicker than I am now and it not being reversible, but my fear isn't as prominent with the DS as it was when I was considering RNY.

I want this surgery and I'm not going to settle for any other WLS. It's DS or straight up Removal.
I'm in the process of pre-op clearance with Dr. Enochs and I am also in the process of setting up an appointment with Dr. Sudan for a second opinion regarding a revision to the DS.

I said all of that to ask this:
Do you think I make a good candidate for this type of revision based on the information I have provided?
What do you wish you knew before-hand?
Lap or Open?
Did you wake up in pain after surgery?
(My lapband surgery was my first surgery and very traumatizing. I was not prepared at all.)
What are some things you wish you had done pre-op?
What type of things do I *have* to know pre-op?
Anyone recommend Dr. Sudan?
Are feeding tubes common practice after DS?
If you were me, would you do the removal separately or try to do it all in one surgery? Pro's and Con's of both?
How the heck do I begin to learn how to read the vitamin lists on vitalady?
Any protein powder/ shake suggestions for the lactose sensitive?

If you've read this far, you deserve some kind of reward. Thanks so much for listening and any and all information you share is GREATLY appreciated.


Katie

[Leonie]

Hi Katie.

I am so sorry about all the hell you have been through. I can see that you are a fighter and are counting the cost. You know why you need the DS, now you just need to decide who will be your surgeon. I am not from the US, but I know there is a list of vetted, specialised revision surgeons. I beg you, go to no-one else than one of the doctors on that very short list.

But welcome, you are at the right place to get all the support and help you need.

[katieahuf]

Thanks for the welcome and responses, ladies.

I was hoping for open because I really want him to be able to see EVERYTHING. A wee bit paranoid, I am and I'm so glad to see a recommendation for Dr. Sudan, it really eases my nerves. Thank you!

I ask about the pain because I remember waking up flat on my back in excruciating (gas) pain, being told to move myself from some bed to some other bed and being incredibly groggy and ouching.

But, I went into my gallbladder removal expecting the same and when I woke up, my eyes popped open, I was in recovery, my surgeon was standing there smiling, i was halfway sitting up and perfectly awake, comfortable and pain free.

So, I never had anyone explain to me why that was when both surgeries were lap abdominal surgeries and I wondered about the difference, anyone have a clue?

Was it the lack of gas or being sat up before I woke up? Are the two surgeries totally different? (Might be a dumb question, but man I've always wanted to know!!)

[larra]

Your decision to have a lap band, no doubt based on some lap band surgeon's recommendations, was a good one for him ($$) but not for you. With your bmi and PCOS, you were almost doomed to failure. That you had complications on top of that wasn't in any way your fault, and I want to say bad luck, but so many people have complications with lap band that it's not really bad luck, it's almost predictable.

Your decision to proceed to DS is a great one. While it works well for the lightweights of the bariatric surgery world, it is esp beneficial for people with higher bmi's because it has the best statistics for percentage excess weight loss and for maintainence of that weight loss of any bariatric surgery available. It also has the highest rate of resolution of almost all comorbidities, including PCOS. And your PCOS is also a great reason for the DS, as you need the metabolic changes the DS will give you. RNY also creates some metabolic improvement, but not nearly so much.

Just a couple things I don't understand. First, and I've seen this many times before, why would the DS not being reversible be a bad thing? It's a good thing! Morbid obesity is a chronic, lifelong illness. Reversing a successful bariatric operation is just going reverse the weight loss. And besides, if worst really came to worst (which is uncommon) the intestinal portion of the DS can be reversed, it's just the sleeve gastrectomy that can't be reversed.

Second, why would you think you are going to smell? I don't smell! I've been at support group meetins with dozens of other DS'ers and they didn't smell either. Yes, you may have farts that smell, but these are mostly controllable by learning what foods cause them and avoiding those foods when you are going to be among others.

See Dr. Sudan. He has an excellent reputation. Get that band the hell out and get your DS, hopefully all at the same time. Hopefully the band hasn't done permanent damage. Leave the decision of open vs lap up to the surgeon. He knows what he's doing.

Larra

[katieahuf]

Larra,

The smelly gas is one of the common side effects I've heard about and I was just stating that I could live with that a whole lot easier than say reactive hypoglycemia with the RNY. Not trying to insinuate that DSers smell, sorry if it came across that way!
With the reversible aspect... It comes from my mother and grandmother being nurses and the stories they've shared of patients having a drastic WLS and getting to a place where they can't eat at all and starving to death in a hospital bed that have really stuck with me. I've always been a sick person even before LapBand, but at least I can keep from starving and I can walk and I can function. I'm scared of trying to make myself better and my quality of life being decimated as a result. It might be irrational, I just don't want to make another mistake. If that makes sense?

[sheanie]

Well, in regards to your mother and grandmother being nurses, they are talking about the "olden days" of bariatric surgery. The DS has the highest satisfaction rate of any WLS. We eat the closest to a normal diet of any of the WLS.

Gas: I know that flour gives me bloating and gas. I avoid that. I do not smell bad. I don't take offense to your comment one bit. I'm an open book. If you want to know really personal specific things, PM me. I'll tell you anything.

[katieahuf]

There's a whole lot of truth to that about their stories being from the older eras of WLS, they've said so as well. I guess it just stuck with me. Thanks so much for the input! I get less afraid the more I learn. I want to learn, I just have to figure out the right questions to ask, once I do, i'll for sure fire them your way.

[larra]

Katie, I bet those patients from back in the day had the JI bypass (jejuno-ileal), an operation that killed a lot of people. Most of the survivors had it reversed to save their lives. That operation is NOT being done anymore, which is a good thing. that operation is not remotely like the DS.

So I get where your concern is coming from, though it is ironic that the killer operation was one that could be reversed, and your fear is of having something done that can't be reversed.

Larra

[katieahuf]

I think actually, that it was the old RNY. I'm not nearly as afraid when it comes to the DS.
I'm getting pretty excited, actually!
I had my pre-op meeting with the gastroenterologist today and he added Carafate 4x a day to my PPI and that stuff WORKS. My stomach feels the best it has in months! But based on our discussion about RNY revision, I feel more and more drawn to the DS and like I'm making the right decision.

I have my last pre-op appointment with one of Dr. Enoch's associates on the 24th to talk about my sleep apnea and buy my CPAP machine and I'll be ready to talk to Dr. Enochs himself about what comes next and get my second opinion with Dr. Sudan. I'm tickled because whether Dr. Sudan can do the DS or not, this band is coming OUT! Insurance willing, soon.
Thanks a bunch for your answers and input, y'all. I'm feeling a lot less overwhelmed and a lot more confident every day.
Katie

[chicarita]

I have to be honest, when Dr. Sudan did my band to DS revision, I had less pain than any other surgery and I've had lots - c-sections, gallbladder, hysterectomy, appendectomy, etc. I had morphine for a day but didn't need it. I d/C'd the pump the next day and never took anything again. Not even a Tylenol. YMMV though.

He likely won't go open for you unless something MAJOR is going on in there. He likes to do them Lap with the DaVinci. However he is the most cautious surgeon out there and a brilliant one at that so if he even suspects for a second that you need to be opened, you will be. His bedside manner? Well, not so great. And his support staff? Ugh. (except Sheila who is awesome). But it's all worth it, he is the only person I would trust to do the DS in this area.

His patients seem to have good success with their weight loss too, but I'm not sure why because he does NOT use the Hess method (everyone gets 100) and he leaves the sleeve larger than some. I've found most of us do pretty well with labs too, likely because of those things. But there are exceptions, and you should ALWAYS go into this thinking that you will be that exception and something could go very wrong.

If you're ok with that risk, then consider moving forward.

[katieahuf]

Thanks so much for the input, y'all.

I had an appointment with Dr. Enochs yesterday to go over my pre-op results and my mom went with me. Everything is in order except they found a small hiatal hernia.
We talked for about two hours about the RNY vs. the DS and Dr. Enochs was incredible at answering my questions and providing information. But, now I'm more confused than ever about which one to do. I got another call today from their office saying insurance cleared my band removal and that it was time to schedule the surgery and I had them put it off until after the 14th which is the day we go see Dr. Sudan about the DS.

I'm excited, but really very confused about what to do. Dr. Enochs said that the RNY would cure my reflux, but that the risk of ulcers was higher, no NSAIDS, lower weight loss (by a tiny bit) and of course risk of the Hypoglycemia and dumping syndrome.
But with the DS, he said that because the intestinal connection happens so late in the bowel that my diarrhea could get worse and I might need diapers?? Or that my reflux has a high chance of getting worse and I might regain weight because of a too loose sleeve and need it tightened (which he said he has done for someone recently) and that would make my acid reflux worse still.

I'm overwhelmed by my two options and I'm scared again of making the wrong choice for my body, because you never really know until you have the surgery, you know?

I'm just really stressed out and I don't know how to make this decision.

The good news is I do have that appointment with Dr. Sudan coming up, but I'm just so stressed out right now!

Am I even doing the right thing here?

[larra]

Katie, I think the best thing for now is to hold off on your final decision until you have your opportunity to meet with Dr. Sudan. Dr. Enochs, to my knowledge, is not a DS surgeon, at least I've only heard of Dr. Sudan doing the DS and not him. I can't speak to your concerns about your reflux, but I can say that the hiatal hernia could be repaired with either operation if that's necessary, and if more importance, that this idea about needing diapers is nonsense.
Loor around you at this forum. There are many of us here living with the DS, and we aren't wearing diapers. If we were, we sure wouldn't be so happy with our operation and our lives. I've been on this and other DS forums for over 7 years and don't know anyone who needs diapers because they had the DS. Could you have diarrhea? Sure, at first while your body adjusts, and later if you eat the wrong things. but you're smart enough to figure out what foods cause what reactions and avoid those choices.

And lower weight loss by just a tiny bit?? Not so ! The difference in percentage excess weight loss between RNY and Ds is substantial, and of more importance, that weight loss is maintained with the DS while still eating a normal diet, whereas weight regain is a major problem and the dirty little secrret of gastric bypass. Many people with gastric bypass do not even get close to a normal weight, and have to stick with a low calorie, low fat, low carb diet for life to prevent weight regain.

Do some people succeed with gastric bypass? Yes, but it ain't easy, and requires lifelong vigilence. Only you can say whether or not that's something you are capable of. So speak with Dr. Sudan, and then take a long, hard, honest look at yourself and determine whether you (not someone else) can make the major lifetime behavior changes that are the only way for gastric bypass to have any chance to succeed.

And even all that doesn't address the NSAIDs issue, and the fact that any comorbidities you have other than GERD have a higher chance of resolution with DS.

Larra

[katieahuf]

Larra,

Thanks for reaffirming all the things I've learned here on these boards. It makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing by putting things on hold until that appointment. If I were making this decision based on what I myself have learned from people who have had this surgery, it would be the DS. But, if I based it on what Dr. Enochs said it might be different.

My mom was smitten with him, because he really is a nice guy. But it's like I told her: A mechanic might be the nicest guy in the world, but all that really matters to me is if he can fix my damn car better than any other mechanic I know!

[newanatomy]

I wish you the best of luck, katieahuf. I am sure the right surgeon will be able to answer all your questions thereby making your decision easier. You are in the best hands, on this site, for education and guidance.

[PrettyGirlBounce]

Might have to wear diapers?!? What the shit?!! I can't even believe that this type of nonsense is being peddled by misinformed surgeons. WOW...just wow.

Well this just reaffirms my thoughts that I admire you SO MUCH for not making any hasty decisions and postponing actually scheduling a surgery date until after you meet with Dr. Sudan. This way you can obtain accurate information with which to make a sound decision on what is right for *you*.

It is far too often that people get trigger-happy and jump right into a sub-par surgery because the sense of urgency to lose weight overpowers their voice of reason...and once that insurance approval comes in, it is especially difficult to not want to get your surgery done like, yesterday.

Seriously, I really commend you for your decision! Please let us know how your appointment goes. I will look forward to hearing what happened.

[Deleted]

Oct 4, 2013 12:16:02 GMT -5 larra said:

Katie, I think the best thing for now is to hold off on your final decision until you have your opportunity to meet with Dr. Sudan. Dr. Enochs, to my knowledge, is not a DS surgeon, at least I've only heard of Dr. Sudan doing the DS and not him. I can't speak to your concerns about your reflux, but I can say that the hiatal hernia could be repaired with either operation if that's necessary, and if more importance, that this idea about needing diapers is nonsense.
Loor around you at this forum. There are many of us here living with the DS, and we aren't wearing diapers. If we were, we sure wouldn't be so happy with our operation and our lives. I've been on this and other DS forums for over 7 years and don't know anyone who needs diapers because they had the DS. Could you have diarrhea? Sure, at first while your body adjusts, and later if you eat the wrong things. but you're smart enough to figure out what foods cause what reactions and avoid those choices.

And lower weight loss by just a tiny bit?? Not so ! The difference in percentage excess weight loss between RNY and Ds is substantial, and of more importance, that weight loss is maintained with the DS while still eating a normal diet, whereas weight regain is a major problem and the dirty little secrret of gastric bypass. Many people with gastric bypass do not even get close to a normal weight, and have to stick with a low calorie, low fat, low carb diet for life to prevent weight regain.

Do some people succeed with gastric bypass? Yes, but it ain't easy, and requires lifelong vigilence. Only you can say whether or not that's something you are capable of. So speak with Dr. Sudan, and then take a long, hard, honest look at yourself and determine whether you (not someone else) can make the major lifetime behavior changes that are the only way for gastric bypass to have any chance to succeed.

And even all that doesn't address the NSAIDs issue, and the fact that any comorbidities you have other than GERD have a higher chance of resolution with DS.

Larra

Larra, any chance you have studies or other info on the weight loss of DS vs RNY? I'm curious if that data has been studied. I know what I've read and such just curious.

I do feel pretty lucky with my RNY as I know so many that didn't lose enough and regained. I've maintained below goal for 6+ years and my diet is pretty liberal. My bypass was ONLY 80 cm too. No explanation as to why but I do feel lucky when I see the struggles others deal with daily.

[katieahuf]

I turned 22 yesterday. :3
I always thought I'd be healthy by now.

I spent all night reading the Failed LapBands stories over on Facebook and checking out vitamin prices and I kinda freaked myself out again. Second guessing any kind of revision at all, really. Just getting more and more anxious to get this damn band out of me.
WLS, especially Revision WLS isn't for the faint hearted, I guess. There is some seriously scary shit out there. I honestly don't know if I'm brave enough to have another WLS.

Found my way back over to this thread and the responses from you guys really helped me to get my head back on straight. Thank you so much for your help, truly!

Less panic, more patience. I'll figure it out in time.

Still no smokes since the 4th (I think?)

Aaarrghhh. Just put me out to pasture.

[kennyk]

Happy birthday!
22 years old? That was no biggie.
23 was a tough one that was when I decided I went from baby-fat to executive spread!
K

[katieahuf]

Thanks!
I feel better today. :3
Hoping I'll be healthier when my next birthday rolls around!

[PrettyGirlBounce]

Oct 11, 2013 4:11:04 GMT -5 katieahuf said:

I turned 22 yesterday. :3
I always thought I'd be healthy by now.

I spent all night reading the Failed LapBands stories over on Facebook and checking out vitamin prices and I kinda freaked myself out again. Second guessing any kind of revision at all, really. Just getting more and more anxious to get this damn band out of me.
WLS, especially Revision WLS isn't for the faint hearted, I guess. There is some seriously scary shit out there. I honestly don't know if I'm brave enough to have another WLS.

Found my way back over to this thread and the responses from you guys really helped me to get my head back on straight. Thank you so much for your help, truly!

Less panic, more patience. I'll figure it out in time.

Still no smokes since the 4th (I think?)

Aaarrghhh. Just put me out to pasture.

1. You ARE brave enough. We've all been scared darling. At least you are smart enough to do research and not jump into something blindly.

2. You are correct in that revisions are def not for the faint hearted. But you know what's worse? NOT having a revision and keeping that choke chain torture device in your body. I've been there. It wasn't pretty. Don't wait for complications and/or irreparable damage.

3. Vitamin costs are a small price to pay for the new health and happiness that comes with your revision.

4. Congrats on not smoking since the 4th. That's super amazing! Been there too.

5. HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY!!! I know you had higher hopes for yourself by now like you stated, but you know what? Hell with it...nothing we can do about past mistakes...EVERYTHING we can do for future successes.

I have a feeling this just might be your year doll.

[katieahuf]

Well, darn Lisa you just made my day.
Thank you for that! (:
Yeah, this band is coming out, no matter what.
Can't wait for Monday!

[graceepooh]

Katieahuf,
I sent you a personal message. Did you get it?
Have a great day!

[katieahuf]

I hadn't even looked in my inbox, i'll go check right now!

[katieahuf]

Had my appointment with Dr. Sudan today. Boy, I was nervous! The appointment was pretty short, but in that short time I think they got more information on me and my history than Dr. Enochs has in both of our appointments.
Dr. S really gets down to the nitty gritty, and man is he thorough! I really liked how serious he was and how he invited questions up front from me and my mother.
I am feeling very comfortable at the thought of him being my surgeon, he just seems incredibly capable. If I were to code on the table (God forbid) I would much rather it be in Dr. Sudan's OR.

He said I'm a good candidate for DS and that's what he recommends for me. So they're going to move forward with the pre-op checklist (most everything is done and being being faxed over) and insurance approval and I'm going back in a month to check in with him on the process. He said if insurance cooperates, (i'm SO lucky to have great insurance) we will likely have this done by the end of the year.

I'm feeling... Calm, with a little bit of pre-op jitters. But secure in my decision.

Wheeeeewww.

Any Sudan patients have a feeding tube post op? Also, PCAs?

Thanks!

[Girlrocker]

Katie, good to 'see' you! I know I repsonded here before, and my post is gone into cyber ether. So I'm glad to see you again and to hear the progress you've made. Ask as many questions as you need, you don't have to worry if they are 'right' or not!

I revised to the DS from the RNY, and it is definitely something I wish I had done in the first place. The RNY wasn't the right surgery for me, my metabolically destroyed body. But then, I was 40 when I had my RNY and very much wished then too the whole process had started when I was younger...like you! Most of all I'm happy that you are taking these steps to get healthy when you are younger, have it all in front of you and can be spared that much more physical damage and emotional/psychological baggage from obesity.

It's not a small life step by any means, but long-term weightloss and management takes work, with or without surgery, doesn't happen by 'osmosis'. It has to be about a lifestyle not Having surgery means we have a powerful tool to take us the distance. I know that when I had surgery the first time, I was committed to doing whatever it was going to take, same with my revision. I was happy the way I ate with my RNY, didn't feel deprived, had a huge range and very little dumping; but I have to say, it's pretty fun to not have to worry about low fat any more, and the flexibility of the amount we can eat and what we can eat as DSers, pretty much rules the free world in my book. Small price to pay for occasional trips to the bathroom if I indulge in something that doesn't agree with me, vitamin supplementation. I already had 'protein first' drilled into my head not just from my RNY but before it in weight loss efforts, because it's a good way to eat, period. And super satisfying on so many levels. No one would ever guess by the way I eat that I've had bariatric surgery and they think I eat Atkins style.

Keep us posted on how things are going for you!

[Leonie]

Hi Katie
I am glad the appointment went so well. I wish I was your age when I had the DS? I sure needed it.

For me, the biggest benefit of the DS has been the fixing of my broken metabolism. I now function like a 'normal' human being.

[jessie71]

I am 27 and facing Lots of the same situtations Katieahuf is... i had the lap-band done in 2009, lost a whopping 40 lbs, got discouraged for about 3 years and now the last year have decided its time to get this thing out and do something else!! i am strongly swayed to the DS, how ever im nervous about having the big amount of mal-absorbtion for the rest of my life...

will i be frayle by the time im 50?? just make me nervous being as young as i am.
taking the vitamins and focusing on protein i dont believe will be an issue for me, i have no other known co-morbitities. i've started my 6 mo pre- op ins requirements and find myself 2nd guessing my decision....i keep researching and have become an addict Lerker on this site, and others regarding WLS...

SOrry this post is all over the place.

[katieahuf]

Hi Jessie,

So great to hear from another revisionista!
I have some of the same concerns when it comes to DS related issues in later stages of life for long term DS'rs.
I did months of research until I arrived at the conclusion that for me, it's DS or just band removal. That was the easy part for me.

In the month or so since I made that decision, I have struggled daily with those two options. Once you have decided on the surgery that is best for you, KNOWING the risks and benefits, the hard part is remembering why you made that decision in the first place in the time leading up to surgery (again, for me). I had to keep reminding myself that it is worth the risk these past few weeks. Because I might have more malabsorption related issues at 60 than most, but my other choice means that I probably won't make it to 60. Or have kids, or a multitude of other things I deserve a shot at. I highly recommend that you find out as much as you can about how well your chosen surgery suits your situation before you make a decision on a surgery. From one or more reputable surgeons. And I'm sooo glad you're here because these people are soo full of information, and soo helpful. I probably would have settled for the wrong surgery for me if I hadn't found this place.
If you want to keep in touch I would love to chat more!

[katieahuf]

Also as a little update,
I've kind of been gnawing my nails worrying about whether my GERD will be horrible with my DS, whether my hernia is bad, if my stomach is developing ulcers etc.
Dr. Sudan said he thought it would be okay, but wanted to go ahead and do a Upper Endoscopy to check everything out just in case.
That was this morning and it was excellent news all around!
Labs are great- no more anemia, all vites are good, hemoglobin and ferritin are both up as well as D, AND there is NO HERNIA, and only one patch of irritation in my stomach.

I haven't smoked in somewhere around a month and apparently that has really improved my stomach situation.

Soo, tomorrow I have my final pre-op appointment, another psych clearance because the first one was inaccurate (that is a WHOLE 'nother story). And then it will all be in my insurance's and Doctor's capable hands.

I am so excited, y'all. He still says it is looking like my date will be before the end of the year, insurance willing.
Will update when I get my date or other news! Thanks so much for the information and continued support!

[PrettyGirlBounce]

WHAT!?! That is awesome news all around! Omg how totally exciting for you. Sounds like you are in great shape physically for surgery. I sure hope you have a seamless insurance submission and quick turnaround with approval.

Forgive me, but I re-read this thread just now and can't seem to find a concrete answer...did you in fact have your lap-band removed already and will now be having your DS, or did you just decide to do everything at once? Again, sorry...just want to get my facts straight so I can offer appropriate support.

HUGS!!!