Mesusiee

I had my lapband for almost five years. I was one of those people who lost nothing...I had refills and did my exercise and watched my diet. I never had reflux but I couldn't burp, which caused me chest pain all the time. Then my left side, about two years ago, started hurting so bad that I couldn't sleep on it. I am one of those people who doesn't feel pain until it is a ten, so I knew something was wrong. I don't take meds only Vitamins. I complained to my GP doctor and he said suggested I have the band removed. I started researching to see if anyone else had this problem...I couldn't believe all the negative results. I had my lapband removed in September, 2014 and since that time I have lost over 25 pounds. My body doesn't hurt anymore... I enjoy my food so much more then when I had the band. I do the same routine in exercise that I did when I had the band. I feel great! I will not look into a weight loss program again unless it is WW. But at this time, I just want to mention all of our bodies are different and react different. My lapband doctor told me he had never had a patience do so well after a lapband removed then me. Everyone listen to your body and what it tells you...

Hi:
I was banded on January 5, 2006 (on my 46th birthday). I weighed 255 lbs and had problems from the start with the band. I had very little fill the first six months and vomited constantly. I finally hit my sweet spot in 2007 and lost 65 lbs. I looked good but felt terrible. Eventually with this fill, after about 8 months, I started with the reflux at night and it kept me up all night until whatever food had to come up did. I was having marital problems and when I was stressed, my band would tighten up and this helped me lose weight. Not a good way of doing it. I had several fills and defills over the years but could not find my sweet spot again.

I went for a barium test, two years ago and the radiologist told me to have a defill. The barium was not going down. Luckily there was a doctor in town that Slimband referred me to and he gave me a small defill. I gained 15 lbs. A year later, with the same fill, I started with the reflux again and had another barium test and again, was sent for a defill. Surprise, I gained another 20 lbs.
Slimband then decided that they were no longer going to support the TLBC patients and I lost it. I could not imagine myself without support and having all of these problems. I have nothing good to say about Slimband. They are nice to you and once they have your money, you are just another number.
Found a great surgeon in Toronto and just had my lapband removed on September 22, 2014. Surgery went very well. The band left a bit of scarring but nothing serious. I was actually out and walking that night and went to dinner and ate lightly. The only pain that I had was in my shoulders and this lasted for a few days.
My Iron count and B12 count have been very low in the last 8 years and I know its from my diet. I have a long road ahead of me and it will be hard. I didn't go crazy and eat a hamburger or hot dog (which I haven't had in 8 years) but I am so happy that I can eat chicken, raw veggies and healthy foods. I don't have to worry about eating out in public and making sure that I can make it to the bathroom in case I have to vomit I feel that I have more energy. I am watching what I eat carefully. I am very upset that I let myself gain back the 35 lbs but when you are deprived and eating only Soups and shakes and then you are defilled, you naturally turn to foods that go down easily and unfortunately are calorie high.
You are fortunate that you lost the 80 lbs and you have made the right decision. The band is not for everyone. I know it wasn't for me. It wasn't hard saying bye to it......I am glad that I tried it but look forward to my life being unbanded.
Good luck with with your surgery!