2Anne

I've noticed most people posting here had their band put in during the last five years or so. I had mine done in 2001 and had it removed last October in 2015 after 14 years. My surgeon never advised me that it should come out after ten years,especially with old technology. I had the band removed due to pain in the port area and worries about how long I had it. My total weight loss never exceeded 65 lbs and if was 280 lbs when I had it put in. The side effects of the band was bad acid stomachs(told by the removal surgeon this was normal!) and extreme hunger. The surgeon Mr Sutton who removed my band had a lot of problems taking it out and the operative report makes horrific reading. There was acute inflammation and bad adhesions. The band was eroding into my stomach. Because I have had a band I cannot have the gastric balloon and certain other surgeries. My stomach looks like a patchwork. At my age I would not wear a bikini(I'm 69 now) but if I was younger would consider myself disfigured.Its a total mess. Also after having the band removed I had developed a huge appetite that was out of control.and I think the band irritation had caused an over-secretion of Ghrelin. This is my theory anyway and I had to fight this for 9 months as recently it has subsided. I put on 12 lbs and it could easily have been three times this amount re the extreme hunger all the time. Even after a big meal I was hungry and never felt satisfied. If you have had a success with your band you are fortunate. I wish I had never had it done but it seemed like a good idea at the time. I spent £13000 having the band inserted as there were problems,and over £4000 having it removed. Its a lot of money and having had a recent consultation with a Bariatric surgeon have decided against revision surgery. I'm sure my experience is not unique and the GB has many failures. My advice is look before you leap because I made one hell of a big mistake!!

Professor Yeo at Cambridge University is leading this bacterial research in the UK Dairy Mary. It's groundbreaking and very promising.

Research in the UK has showed that the 'wrong' gut bacteria causes obesity. The research is very exciting and may pave the way for bacterial treatment. That appt. you have Reallyrosie sounds very interesting.

Sorry you are having such a bad time Babbs. Obesity is a filthy,rotton disease. My surgeon who is tops told me ALL bariatric surgery fails in two years. Maybe there will be a chemical fix up the road. After what you've been through you deserve a medal plus achieve thinness.

Well done Polara,fantastic achievement.

Tsaverco how is your skin after your weight loss? 70 lbs should be OK but depends how fast you lost the weight. Does any GS here need skin surgery?

I spoke to my bariatric surgeon recently and he said ALL Bariatric surgery fails in two years as the stomach stretches. He offered me the Sleeve or Bypass even though I'm 69 (I weigh 230) but its a lot of money for a failure in two years and it's put me right off surgery.

Rosie I'm sorry to hear about your heart problem. Spironolactone is not normally associated with weight loss but lasix is. It sounds like you have been storing water which will happen with a dysfunctional heart. It is possible you will lose more weight on this drug combination. Keep close to the medics. Best wishes.

After I had the gastric band removed my acid stomachs went and I stopped bringing up mucous after eating. I used to take tums all the time. Since the band was removed all these problems have gone. The surgeon I saw about having the Gastric Sleeve said the acid reflux etc would return with the sleeve. Constant acid on the Oesophagus can cause Barrets Oesaphagus a pre-cancerous condition.

Oregon Daisy I could put you off sweets for good by hypnotherapy. This would solve your weight fluctuation. Go see a qualified hypnotherapist who has a good reputation. This will really help you. I have put people off sweets and chocolate for good.

Just for interest-I am a professional Hypnotherapist and find with therapy it's possible to get amazing results. For instance I have a shark phobia and can now swim in the ocean with Hypno,used to be a compulsive clothes buyer and no longer have this problem with Hypno. Have stopped dozens of people from smoking cigarettes and rid them of life limiting phobias against needles,vomit,spiders,birds etc. But have had little or no success with weight. This includes doing the virtual gastric band. Yes! There are people who will do well with paying hundreds of dollars for Hypno but maybe these same people would become Weight Watcher of the year they are so determined. I have seen many clients and tried to help with weight. I can stop addictions like to chocolate,cake and cookies and if the weight s related to one issue like this it works. However I have given myself many sessions to control appetite and anxiety eating without success so if you are trying Hypno and it's costing a lot of cash which it will do my advice is try another route.

Finally fit-hope it helps. Anything is worth a try. I know I have an abnormal relationship with food and hunger makes me hyper-anxious/overeat. Just have to keep on fighting the obesity monster. Best wishes to you and your friend.

Strange fruit I am just the same as you in that I cannot eat more than 1000-1200 C a day without putting weight on and need to be on 800C or less to lose. For this reason I do not think the surgery would work for me long term as once the stomach stretched I would be back to square one. It's fine for people who have huge food addictions and control quantities with surgery but my own obesity pattern is like Strangefruits.