parisshel

Hi Parisshel, it was very painful, scary and I'm just happy it's over and the band is gone and I'm still alive. The way he explained it is that when the lapband first came out, they made two different versions of it. One was made with hooks, where you can turn it easily to put it in and the theory was, if it had not slipped nor eroded, it would be just as easy to take it out. He said I did have the one with these "hooks" -- and I'm not quoting him on WHY it wound up having to be dug out - but I'm assuming because of the slippage that happened. Also, another possible contribution to this issue could be that I was not having it filled consistently because I felt it was already too restrictive and people were commenting on that I was losing too much weight. (I think some might have even questioned if I was "sick" with something). I filled it a few time in the 10 years I had it and towards the end had it loosened/filling taken out and then eventually, unfilled completely in Nov 2021--- and maybe that's when it really started to slip and all that happened to wind me up having it completely removed.
My suggestion to anyone that has one -- is, even if you are not going in to get a fill - at least still visit with your doctor and drink the barium so they can check in on the band - ask about slippage, erosion, etc. At the beginning of the big "lap band surge" before they knew a lot of long term reactions --- the doctors and surgeons would say it is "VERY RARE" that it will slip or erode. Now, they are finding out -- it is MORE common than NOT for it to erode and/or slip. So, have it checked - mine was supposed to be checked every three months. But, because I wasn't interested in having it filled, I would not follow those standards. I had a very very reputable doctor too, so, it really was my fault for not having him check in on it time to time, regardless of fills.
To address your last part, I am feeling a lot better, thank you! it has been two weeks and 2 days since the removal. I would say I was only "ok" after about a full week. I still have incision tape that needs to fall off, but all in all, worth it knowing now that it's out! I have to say, I have not gained any weight since the removal and do not see myself eating any more than I did with it in (but again, remember I wasn't filling it, and he it completely unfilled last November). Looking back, I think the one benefit I did gain from it - it gave a "kick start" on my weight loss but also forced me to realize and change my eating habits. !!
Good luck with everything!

Today is May 11th, 2022. I had my band removed 6 days ago.
I have had it for 10 years (I am currently 43). I never had it filled after year 3 (I believe I only had it filled 3 times the first 1-2 years, then felt I was too restricted, losing weight too fast so I had some of the fill taken out. I am 5'4 and started out around 245 and got down to a low of 145-150. Once I had some of the fill taken out, I did gain 15-20 pounds. I was comfortable at the 163ish mark, was still a size 6-8.
Then, more recently (so year 8 or so, I would randomly throw up/gag in the mornings, painfully, losing appetite). So, I had it completely unfilled November 2021, gained a few more pounds (likely overate @ holidays) :) .
Anyways, today I am going for an early post-op followup (day 6 after the band removal) -- I am still in a lot of pain. The surgeon had told me that my surgery took twice as long as it should have because part of the band prongs (?) had to be DUG out from my intestines. I now have extra incisions - I was in so much pain after surgery. I needed help by my husband to go to washroom (could not go from standing to sitting on my own), was actually in tears and that was with pain medicine. That intense pain did somewhat subside a bit after day 2-3. However, I am still experiencing pretty intense pain when going from laying down to standing up. I also, similar to a poster above, feel a large hard bulge where the largest incision is (where the port used to be). The surgeon did mention some hematomas (bleeding) may develop, can be painful and should go away on their own (ugh, that sounds so awful! basically internal bleeding - scary!)
Either way, I feel like I was a guinea pig with the FDA, there was not enough long term research done yet, to really know all the risks and how very common they are with lapband. Which, yes, someone had to be the experiments, I get it.
My surgeon says he quit putting them in back in 2018. I know and understand it's elective surgery and I signed off on it --- I just wanted to share my experience and hoping the damage this band has done to my body will repair itself completely! For now, I am just glad it is OUT before it did even worse, possibly permanent damage. My suggestion (and any good bariatric doctor will tell you) - is if you've had it for 10 years, get it out. There are other options (sleeve is one), I personally am not electing to have one but to each their own -- this is just a PSA (public service announcement).

This sounds like me. I'm a longhauler, too, 10 cc with 5.0 cc fill. I can eat pretty much everything, just smaller bites and much slower. No one likes to go to lunch with me because I take so long to finish my food! But still....love that my weight is stable and I had a Tummy Tuck last year to complete the transformation. Both procedures totally worth it...it is quite freeing to live in a body that I'm not ashamed of.

I waited awhile before telling my (then) BF that I had been much larger and had had WLS. It wasn't any big deal to him.
My weight loss left me with significant loose skin, especially the "apron" which had my tummy hanging down to my upper thighs.
I was embarrassed greatly by my "apron" and always wore lingerie in bed to cover that part of my body.
I finally decided to get a Tummy Tuck 6 years after my WLS, even though I was not at my goal. My WLS surgeon and the plastic surgeon agreed that since I'd held my weight loss for so long that it would be fine to go ahead with the tummy tuck.
It was TRULY the best thing I've ever done for myself. My sense of self is completely different. I no longer have so much shame around this part of my body. When my BF broke up with me and I starting dating again, my WLS and tummy tuck made reentering the world of dating so much easier on my mindset. I had so much more confidence.
I know that should I find a new partner, I would at some point share that I had WLS. It is obvious I had plastics, because the scar from a tummy tuck is quite large and evident. So I would be open about that, too. I figure anyone worth developing a strong connection with will take this information with acceptance and even admiration for me.
Below, a current photo of my tummy. 90% of this is the tummy tuck, 10% of it is my core work that I do to keep my tummy flat and toned.

(I don't know why the photo is huge; sorry!)

I had a Tummy Tuck last year, at age 60. I had some significant post-op complications, but now that I'm on the other side of all that, I can say that this surgery was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Never too old, as long as your surgeon says you are eligible, Healthwise, for plastics!

I had a Tummy Tuck last year, at age 60. I had some significant post-op complications, but now that I'm on the other side of all that, I can say that this surgery was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Never too old, as long as your surgeon says you are eligible, Healthwise, for plastics!

I'd read most improvement will be during year one, but there could continue to be some scar lightening during year two, but by the end of year two, that would be it - although I've noticed lately that my scars have continued to lighten somewhat.

I echo the advice of those above: do your research on a different type of WLS other than the lapband. Even if you find a surgeon to place yours, there are fewer and fewer surgeons and fill/unfill facilities so if you have issues down the line, you may not find someone with the background and experience to help you out. Lapbands were a big trend years ago but are seen as arcane now. Today's trend is the Sleeve...this also may one day go the way of the band. The Gold Standard is the Bypass which has decades of data supporting its efficacy. (It is also reversible if needed.)
With that said, I have had a band in place for almost 8 years. I'm one of its rare success stories with no issues. While I never made it to goal (my starting weight was similar to yours), I'm at a weight that is fine for me. No significant regains really, but when I do start climbing back up the scale, I know what to cut out. Not sure if I still have restriction/hunger dimmed by my band....I do a lot of the maintenance work myself.
I had loose skin but I'm much older than you. It wasn't due to "quick" weight loss---my weight came off at the same rate as a traditional diet such as WW. It was just from having been obese. So two years ago, at age 60, I had a Tummy Tuck. It was absolutely life-changing. Best thing I ever did for myself. Not only do I love my tummy for the first time in my life, but having had plastics ensures that I keep my weight off and keep exercising....I would never want to ruin the results of the tummy tuck.
Here's a photo of my tummy now---90% of this is the tummy tuck, 10% of it is my core work that I do every day to keep everything strong and toned. Sorry this photo is so large....something happens when I upload photos to this site. Normally it is much smaller!
Good luck as you move forward but please: do your research, talk to other WLS patients to see their experience with the different surgeries out there.

I echo the advice of those above: do your research on a different type of WLS other than the lapband. Even if you find a surgeon to place yours, there are fewer and fewer surgeons and fill/unfill facilities so if you have issues down the line, you may not find someone with the background and experience to help you out. Lapbands were a big trend years ago but are seen as arcane now. Today's trend is the Sleeve...this also may one day go the way of the band. The Gold Standard is the Bypass which has decades of data supporting its efficacy. (It is also reversible if needed.)
With that said, I have had a band in place for almost 8 years. I'm one of its rare success stories with no issues. While I never made it to goal (my starting weight was similar to yours), I'm at a weight that is fine for me. No significant regains really, but when I do start climbing back up the scale, I know what to cut out. Not sure if I still have restriction/hunger dimmed by my band....I do a lot of the maintenance work myself.
I had loose skin but I'm much older than you. It wasn't due to "quick" weight loss---my weight came off at the same rate as a traditional diet such as WW. It was just from having been obese. So two years ago, at age 60, I had a Tummy Tuck. It was absolutely life-changing. Best thing I ever did for myself. Not only do I love my tummy for the first time in my life, but having had plastics ensures that I keep my weight off and keep exercising....I would never want to ruin the results of the tummy tuck.
Here's a photo of my tummy now---90% of this is the tummy tuck, 10% of it is my core work that I do every day to keep everything strong and toned. Sorry this photo is so large....something happens when I upload photos to this site. Normally it is much smaller!
Good luck as you move forward but please: do your research, talk to other WLS patients to see their experience with the different surgeries out there.

I echo the advice of those above: do your research on a different type of WLS other than the lapband. Even if you find a surgeon to place yours, there are fewer and fewer surgeons and fill/unfill facilities so if you have issues down the line, you may not find someone with the background and experience to help you out. Lapbands were a big trend years ago but are seen as arcane now. Today's trend is the Sleeve...this also may one day go the way of the band. The Gold Standard is the Bypass which has decades of data supporting its efficacy. (It is also reversible if needed.)
With that said, I have had a band in place for almost 8 years. I'm one of its rare success stories with no issues. While I never made it to goal (my starting weight was similar to yours), I'm at a weight that is fine for me. No significant regains really, but when I do start climbing back up the scale, I know what to cut out. Not sure if I still have restriction/hunger dimmed by my band....I do a lot of the maintenance work myself.
I had loose skin but I'm much older than you. It wasn't due to "quick" weight loss---my weight came off at the same rate as a traditional diet such as WW. It was just from having been obese. So two years ago, at age 60, I had a Tummy Tuck. It was absolutely life-changing. Best thing I ever did for myself. Not only do I love my tummy for the first time in my life, but having had plastics ensures that I keep my weight off and keep exercising....I would never want to ruin the results of the tummy tuck.
Here's a photo of my tummy now---90% of this is the tummy tuck, 10% of it is my core work that I do every day to keep everything strong and toned. Sorry this photo is so large....something happens when I upload photos to this site. Normally it is much smaller!
Good luck as you move forward but please: do your research, talk to other WLS patients to see their experience with the different surgeries out there.

I had my 4cc Lapband surgery in September 2007 and currently have 1cc of Fluid in the band
Most of my loose skin is around my mid section and thighs and upper legs so it is easily hidden.
I may at sometime in the future have plastics
Best decision for me was to have the Lapband

I’m going to second what catwoman said. I was very worried about loose skin pre op. Boy, do I have it! Belly, breasts, thighs and arms. However, I wouldn’t change my decision to proceed with my VSG. I’m so much healthier, have so much more energy, look better in clothes (and can choose clothes that I actually like rather than just what fits). I’m scheduled for plastic surgery next week and the loose skin will be gone. This surgery is by far the best decision I ever made.

I'd rethink the lapband. A lot of people have had those removed, and most surgeons won't do them anymore. They've largely been replaced by the sleeve.
you may or may not have a lot of loose skin. A lot depends on how much you have to lose and how long you've been overweight. If you're talking 100+ lbs, then yes - you'll probably have loose skin no matter how fast or slow you take the weight off.
I want to add that most of us are worried about loose skin when we're pre-ops or early post-ops, but for those of us a ways out from surgery, most wonder why we worried about it. It's such a minor thing in the grand scheme of things. It's really easy to hide for most of us, and I would say most if not all of us would take the loose skin any day over being morbidly obese again. ANY DAY!
also wanted to add that I did eventually have my loose skin removed, but this is a picture of me BEFORE I had it removed. I lost over 200 lbs, so I had a TON of it. See it? Nope. The right clothes will hide it well!

I waited awhile before telling my (then) BF that I had been much larger and had had WLS. It wasn't any big deal to him.
My weight loss left me with significant loose skin, especially the "apron" which had my tummy hanging down to my upper thighs.
I was embarrassed greatly by my "apron" and always wore lingerie in bed to cover that part of my body.
I finally decided to get a Tummy Tuck 6 years after my WLS, even though I was not at my goal. My WLS surgeon and the plastic surgeon agreed that since I'd held my weight loss for so long that it would be fine to go ahead with the tummy tuck.
It was TRULY the best thing I've ever done for myself. My sense of self is completely different. I no longer have so much shame around this part of my body. When my BF broke up with me and I starting dating again, my WLS and tummy tuck made reentering the world of dating so much easier on my mindset. I had so much more confidence.
I know that should I find a new partner, I would at some point share that I had WLS. It is obvious I had plastics, because the scar from a tummy tuck is quite large and evident. So I would be open about that, too. I figure anyone worth developing a strong connection with will take this information with acceptance and even admiration for me.
Below, a current photo of my tummy. 90% of this is the tummy tuck, 10% of it is my core work that I do to keep my tummy flat and toned.

(I don't know why the photo is huge; sorry!)

From a guys view: I am 54 and up until last week was single. I do not judge people by how they look or there weight. I actually just re married my x who is a large person. My view is this it is your life and a real person will not care about what little imperfections you may have.
I would not worry about it to much and you can get surgery if it bothers you. Look for a guy who wants a friend and companion, Not a roll in the rack and move on.

Thanks for starting this thread. We went into lockdown in March, opened up a bit in the summer, and locked down again in early November. I knew with the initial lockdown I'd have to pay attention to two things: exercise (we were allowed one hour outside each day, limited to walks within a 1 km radius) and my food. In the initial lockdown I gained 2.5 kgs, which apparently was a national average! I know this was due to reduced activity + having food a mere 5 steps away from my WFH set up.
Right before the November lockdown my BF up and announced he didn't love me anymore, leaving a two-year relationship with no discussion. I turned a sow's ear into a silk purse and spent that lockdown working out and eating cleanly, knocking off the weight I had gained in the spring and getting back towards my best weight. I'm a bandster, and stress tightens my band so all of these events have made it easier to eat healthfully since I'm rarely hungry.
We are now semi-locked down, with a curfew, but I take advantage of the mornings to walk 5-10 km every single day. I'm not sure this helps weight-wise, but it is vital for my mental health! Foodwise my fridge is stocked with the kinds of foods that keep hunger at bay but that I enjoy: Proteins, veg, fruit...you know, the classics!!
Keep well, everyone!

I'm also in Australia (Canberra)! I've posted this before, but isolation has made it possible for me to plan and monitor my eating more carefully than when I'm working, so I've managed it quite well. I've actually lost a few pounds in the last couple of weeks. (And yes, I try to go for a walk every morning, which is still allowed here.)

Parishell--you look fantastic for any age!

I had a Tummy Tuck last year, at age 60. I had some significant post-op complications, but now that I'm on the other side of all that, I can say that this surgery was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Never too old, as long as your surgeon says you are eligible, Healthwise, for plastics!

I had a Tummy Tuck last year, at age 60. I had some significant post-op complications, but now that I'm on the other side of all that, I can say that this surgery was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Never too old, as long as your surgeon says you are eligible, Healthwise, for plastics!

This sounds like me. I'm a longhauler, too, 10 cc with 5.0 cc fill. I can eat pretty much everything, just smaller bites and much slower. No one likes to go to lunch with me because I take so long to finish my food! But still....love that my weight is stable and I had a Tummy Tuck last year to complete the transformation. Both procedures totally worth it...it is quite freeing to live in a body that I'm not ashamed of.

Haven’t been on in forever. Nice to see some bandsters still out there. I’ve had mine for almost 12 years. No major problems but keep it a little looser to avoid reflux. With that being said, I’ve also gotten looser with my food and I’ve gained about 50 lbs. ready to refocus and commit again.

Just passed 13 years having my band in September 2007, Still believe it was one of the best decisions I have already made.

I am also banded but am 10 years with it now! I got my surgery around July 2009 and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I haven't had a fill in about 6 years though and have some how managed. I did have some weight gain when I got pregnant both times because my doctor didn't want me to have any Fluid in the band. I think my stomach has shrunk over time or something. I can't eat as much as I used to but I can pretty much eat anything I want. I do get stuck sometimes on bread and potatoes unless it has some sort of condiment on it then I am fine. I haven't had any problems or issues with my band in the last 10 years. Good luck to anyone that is getting it and may you have an easy journey!!!!

I have only had my band for 13 years so 18 years is very impressive. For the most part have kept off most of the weight but just have to remember to make more good choices than bad one.
I tried to adhere to the Following "Use the 80/20 Rule: 80% of the time, make ideal, healthy choices. The other 20% of the time, enjoy the treats you love in moderation and let yourself savor the experience."
Makes losing weight slower but we are in this for a safe lifetime.