mrlddst

My insurance paid for it but I don't know if it would have been the same story if they drop bariatrics from coverage.

Had mine removed in Nov'09 by force. It damaged my stomach. Currently looking into the VSG.

I had mine removed in November. I know its too late to be your buddy but I'm here if you need anything!

Ok..so I had my band removed in November. I thought it was all out....well, I get an xray done last week only to find out that they left my port in place. Hmmm, at first I was a little PO'd but I remembered that I was supposed to be a replacement surgery but do to the scar tissue damage, they couldn't do anything. I WANT IT OUT!! My doc and I are supposed to be discussing other options, maybe this was his way of ensuring that I would come back....IDK

I understand how you feel. I had my band removed in November and have gained about 25+ lbs since. I am currently looking into being rebanded or being sleeved. I was mortified last night when I went to try on my summer clothes for an upcoming vacation and couldn't get most of them up my legs, I must have been in denial. I cried myself to sleep.....

Honestly its the only "diet" book that I have remotely made it halfway through. I liked it because it didn't really push a DIET on you, it just tries to make you think about your behavior and why you do the things you do. I suggest you get the workbook to write it, that way you can write down your thoughts as you go.

I think it worked for me, it was just a torture device at times :wink:. I don't miss taking acid reducers everyday. But I can say now since I don't have a band or anything anymore that I miss restriction of any type. My doc wants me to get a sleeve but for the meantime, I'm calorie counting and working out and have still managed to gain weight. My removal was covered by my insurance as a revision (I was supposed to be rebanded, but it didn't work out).

I'm still waiting!! Went to the doc last week and he isn't feeling very confident in getting the band in...he wants to wait 3 more months just for another appointment. He is leaning towards the sleeve though...I'm not really keen on cutting organs.

I think I'm going to have mine put back in as well. I go back to my surgeon on Friday to tell him my decision. I looked at the VSG but getting 2/3 of your stomach cut off for a surgery that has not been studied long term is a little much for me. I have always been against cutting my stomach open....

I'm in the same boat as you. I was scheduled to have my band replaced and instead they took it and didn't replace it. I was down about it for a while. I have been given the choice to try the band again, VSG, bypass, or nothing at all. I have to make a choice next week. I had the band out in November and he told me to give myself a few months to heal. I will let you know what my doc says next week on when I can be rebanded.

Can you go to Mexico and have it removed? I know several people have recommended Dr. Aceeves(I think thats how you spell it) I think he will even remove your band and do the sleeve for 5k(USD).

Can you get a lap-band placed with the bypass? I'm sure its possible, my friend who had the GB was looking into getting it placed on her stomach as she is gaining weight from a GB she had back in 2001.

I had mine in '06 as well. I was supposed to have my old band out and new band put in in Nov'09 but they could only get it out and couldn't get another one in. It was supposed to take an hour but my surgery took a little under 2 hrs only because once they got the old one out, a couple surgeons tried in vain to put another one in for the next hr. Everyone has different pain levels but I definitely work up in much more pain than the 1st time. I was walking and talking withing a few hours of my originally surgery, this time around if felt awful and I keep passing out and distinctly remember wanting to punch the nurse in the eye because she was talking on the phone and had not given me my pain pump yet. I'm hoping that if I go back to be re-banded that the pain will not be as bad.

And I think thats my issue. I didn't hear any problems with the band in the beginning, then gradually complaints started to arise. I don't want to jump on the VSG band wagon and then kick myself three years down the line, like I am right now.

I thought about doing this. My doctor offered it as a option now that I'm not banded anymore but my insurance doesn't cover it yet. I'm a little apprehensive about having my stomach cut. Do you fear that the passageway that they cut will gradually expand? This is one of my fears if I go through with it.