apaige203

I also feel better. This removal was a breeze. No pain just soreness.

@apaige203: Thank you for contributing to this topic. I'm sorry you have been experiencing such horrible complications and would very much appreciate following your post-op. Particularly interested to see if removal resolves these issues (I hope so) so please do check back in with us.

Wow! It is like we are twins. I had everything you have had except the spleen. Its been 4 weeks since my band removal and revision to bypass. The weirdest thing is that my inflammation in my hands is almost gone. My reflux is gone as well thank God. The surgery wasnt bad at all. Its really a week of uncomfortableness. My pain level never over a level 4. Im working my new pouch. There is restriction. I dont have much stamina. That should come back in a few weeks. I have lost 33 pounds so im thrilled. I was off of work 3 weeks. I really cant wait to do my blood work again and see where i stand with my lupus and RA. Good luck and you are going to feel so much better soon

I noticed from the moment I woke up I felt better! So glad you are feeling better!!

Best thing i ever have done for myself

I have like no inflammation now that my band is out. So weird. I cant wait to have blood work done to see what the difference is. I havent taken any meds for my lupus or RA since i had my band out. So happy i had it removed

Anyone know who is handling? I had mine out on the 31st. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER! A new me and have lost 9 lbs.

Hi Fellow Bandsters,
BOY OH BOY… I believe “they” consider patients like me “veterans of the band”. I was promised all kinds of great outcomes prior to getting this procedure in March 2008 (7 years & 4 months ago), however I have developed one too many conditions/symptoms as a result of this device being inside of me for the better part of a decade, and always blamed it on something other than the band. They never spoke of complications and I am the type to do as I am told… dieting, Portion Control and exercise!
I am in the medical field and have a PhD in Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences (Pathology/Lab Medicine… always worked in hospitals/healthcare). I currently work as a Clinical Research Scientist in Cancer research and we are doing our best to find THAT cure. However, the cure for weight loss seems unimaginable for the overweight population, especially the patients who have a failed lap-band surgery. I still have my band but am scheduled to have the band removed next week, 7/30/15 (my personal Independence Day).
The band was not for me since the first follow-up visit after placing the band. The PA bent the needle attempting to add saline into the port from scar tissue (YEARS AGO) and three staff members were now inside the room during this. With all the scar tissue to get through already… it hurt me very badly and I was "turned off" from future fills!!! I never had another attempted fill after this from fear, and never had a successful fill since having it placed at all. I had signs and symptoms the entire time, but life got in the way! I had too many things going on in my personal life and the years seemed to fly by… but not because I was having fun!
For almost 8 years I have experienced; nausea, vomiting, Migraines, constant low grade fevers, joint pain, gallbladder removal in 2009 (no stones), elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST), enlarged spleen, elevated CRP, "dumping syndrome", inflammation throughout my body especially my stomach, abnormal blood counts and chemistry, unable to pass certain foods from esophagus to stomach, autoimmune disease soon developed (new meds to take), uncomfortable in my own body, weakness/fatigue, acid reflux, back/neck pain, constipation/diarrhea (to name a few). I also have device related complications such as; port pain with and without pressure being applied, infection at the port, unable to stand up straight/reach up/stretch backwards, and always protecting my stomach from the outside world from fear of it being bumped. I am in a place where I have health insurance AND time for removal/surgery at the same time so I went to the docs and insurance denied... three times!
I spoke to my surgeon directly after the denials (not the same doc that installed the band) and I am meeting him in the ED on the night of July 29th to have the band removed on the morning of the 30th. We are making this a medical emergency so insurance will cover the charges, which would have been approx $8,000 if this would have been a "self-pay" situation. It is bad enough that Allergen would not provide compensation for the $250 surgeon consult prior to seeing ANY doctor. I do not know this surgeon and just recently moved this state 7 months ago… no special privileges for being in the same field… just a good idea of how insurance works! Doc saw how my quality of life has suffered from my medical records and wants to help me, and I pay for health insurance for a reason (regardless of their ridiculous exclusions for bariatric related surgeries, a medical emergency is always covered).
I am excited and scared for surgery next week, but will be sure to keep everyone informed of my progress after surgery, and as the weeks roll on. I truly hope to speak to other patients in my position and be available in any way that I can, especially helping if you feel you have run out of options or need help interpreting test results. In the meantime, could anyone shed some light on side effects of having band removed in patients 8+ years out (how do you feel, how is your stomach/scars), what to eat after surgery/for how long, how long were you out of work, and best ways to stay healthy since having this piece of **** removed!
In Heath,
A