crustymouse23

Thank you so much! My band sucked! Thank God it's out of my body now.
Also, I am allowed to swallow things much easier now. thank you!!!!
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I don't think she meant any offense. Never did she say all band patients were like that. I think what she said is true for a number of people, but she didn't say it was for everyone. I think she was offering her input as you are. No two people have the same story. Your experience is yours. The OP asked a question, she gave her response as what she had been told, not to attack or offend any of us with bands. Easy now. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

did they you lose more weight after you graduated from the options program? I have 4 more classes, and only lost about 7lbs. Also, I had the lapband removed in Dec.8 last year and im awaiting a revision.

You don't have to be banded or have WLS to come back here for advice or support. Don't be a stranger and let us know how the knowledge you learned from your journey has helped you?

I was banded in August of 2005 weighing 310 lbs. I lost a total of 45 lbs with the band before I plateaued, mainly because I did not modify my eating behavior and deal with the emotional issues in my past that caused my obesity. Well, about 6 months ago, I starting vomiting after EVERY meal, which caused severe acid reflux, an ulcer in my esophagus and two hospital stays in 2 weeks for chest pains and shoulder pains that mimicked a heart attack. After taking a stress test, having a CT Scan done, and a Cardiac Cath done on my heart, it was determined that the band was the culprit. So, yesterday (3-20-14), I had the band removed and my insurance company deemed it as medically necessary. Now, let me back up a little. About 3 years ago, I began therapy to address my past issues and I joined the YMCA and started a workout program focused totally on being a healthier ME. I also got a personal trainer and joined the Herbalife Franchise and started drinking the shakes and taking the supplements. I have gone from a size 26/28 to a size 14/16 right now and still losing. I realize this is a marathon and not a sprint, so I am focused on the long term goals of a size 10 or 12 (I am 5'8"). I am very happy with my decision to have my band removed BECAUSE I now have the tools I need to continue to lose the weight by exercising and eating healthier. I workout 3-4 times a week by jogging, lifting weights, using the elliptical machine, doing Zumba and sitting in the sauna. I have attached a before and after picture. 

Hello everyone I am happy to say that I got my band remove a week and a half ago. The recovery has been wonderfu.l I went into surgery at 830 in the morning they gave me the sedation I must have gone into the surgery I guess about a quarter of nine by 10 o'clock I was in the recovery room and fully awake he gave me something for pain and nausea I never threw up. By 1130 I was in my room. By 2 o'clock I wanted to go home but I hadn't urinating yet because my bladder was still asleep from the anesthesia. by 430 thank God I had urinated and I was on my way home with very little pain and a little sore. I had walked all the halls of the hospital with very little help from my husband and I felt great I was so happy. I took one tylenol with codeine at the hospital and that night I only took two extra strength tylenol at home. The next day I felt more soreness like if I had done 100 sit ups and some waist exercises, than pain. The next day I had the pain of the coughing from the anesthesia so I took 2 tylenol again and that was pretty much it. The day that I had the most pain was one day that I had a coughing attack and I didn't have the little pillow that I would put in my stomach when I cough because I was in the kitchen getting some Water and that day I took one tylenol with codeine but it was because I was caught off guard. The surgery has been the best decision I've ever made in my life I could drink and chug water with no throwing up I am eating little meals few times during the day I have actually lost 2 pounds because I'm eating frequently and small portion with the lapband I could barely eat and my body was in starvation mode so again guys best decision I've ever made. Just remember small portions I was adapted to barely eating so my stomach is reduced I don't plan to ever get it large again because I've been through hell so good luck if anyone has any questions just ask away.

I am not sure there is a cookie cutter answer to how long it takes to heal. My surgeon gave me a 3 month healing period, but my diagnosis wasn't exactly the same as yours.
My personal experience is that my hunger WENT THROUGH THE ROOF after the band was removed. It shocked me because I had not had any fill for years. I worked with a doctor to try to learn to eat moderate carb to keep from gaining weight during the 3 month wait.
I am not saying my experience is universal - it is true that I could eat healthy foods easier once the band was gone, but the bad habits of eating alot of sliders, eating soothing foods for my undiagnosed band induced reflux etc were already ingrained. Eating crap triggers more hunger, but I didn't really understand all that back then.

Well, my band was removed after almost exactly 4 years and 120 lbs weight loss. Since the insurance did not cover the conversion I decided to do just the removal.
I had the surgery last Wednesday around 8 am and was back home around 1 pm. I only ate some Soup that day and a few chips. It was an amazing feeling being able to actually eat a cup of Soup and having it go down without having to vomit it all out again.
The next day I already ate some solids. The third day a regular Breakfast and lunch. Amazing.
My stomach and belly were pretty sore for the first 3 days, especially when sitting down, getting up and eating. I also had a lot of issues using the restroom (urinary and bowel retention are very common after anesthesia) but it is getting back to almost normal.
I realize I will probably gain some weight back but I will try to keep it to 10-15 lbs. I plan on continuing eating only half portions in restaurants and no more than 6-8 oz at home. Hopefully my willpower will be enough. I definitely do not want to get anywhere close to my old weight.
I will keep you updated.

Satisfied?

Thank you so much for your reply! I truly appreciated it! I guess I am afraid of what the future holds. Personally I'm not into burgers, pizza,, Pasta because I could not eat them. My worry is if my now that I am actually going to be able to consume these things, will I suddenly crave them. I definitely will look into a cognitive behavioral therapist! I love it when I am given specifics because I have somewhere to look. Thank you again for the reassurance!