Yes exactly,
For me, the barium swallow exam showed zero problems and I was worried that insurance wouldn't cover removal since "everything looked perfect".
But then I told the doc that I was feeling discomfort, tightness, throwing up at times, and had some reflux. Insurance covered it and I am so relieved. Having the band removed has been the best thing I've done in many years. I literally feel like I'm walking on clouds! Such a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Taylor, you don't want to listen, which is fine, as the choice is yours. But all these operations - band sleeve whatever - are extreme last resorts. If you wish to go under the knife for an extreme operation when you are only just in the overweight category, then that is your choice. The definition of obesity is controversial, as people with BMis in the 25-30 range live longer, and it seems the 25 cut-off point is only chosen because it looks good - and not because it is actually healthier. So you are only just over that. By the way, if you're 5ft6 and weigh 200lbs, that is a BMI of 32, not 31. If you are 5ft5 as you say in your profile, that is a BMI of 33.
If you devoted the money to spending a month in a residential weight loss spa, you would probably be 185lbs or less at the end of the month - and would have spent less money. There are plenty of people who have had these operations who regret them (google "gastric sleeve regrets" for plenty of hits).
You are nowhere near desperate levels of obesity. You don't seem to want to listen though - so do what you want.
Hi,
This is my personal experience and I still have a band. Literally HATE IT! Looking into revision now.
Nope nope nope! Don't do it. The average weight loss is 60#. I lost the 60# and it stopped totally; I've now gained around 20 back and I'm MISERABLE!
No, it's not permanent but it is a SURGERY process...which means recovery, losing hair galore and eating A LOT of Protein which causes you to be constipated.
The majority of the time when you loose weight is the first year. When you go in for monthly or bi-monthly fills are are unable to eat for 3 days. First day is liquids, second day is mashed foods and third is back to soft foods.
When you eat, you must chew chew CHEW 30 bites each; if you swallow too fast your screwed and stuck before you know it.
YOU MUST drink at least a gallon of Water a day.
You must NOT drink carbonated beverages. Yes...you can have a few sips after you are totally healed.
You MUST not drink out of a straw. This causes gas in the stomach and esophagus area.
Many pills (antibiotics) must be cut in half as they will not go down.
If you eat warmed up chicken and it get stuck you will slime - (Spit up) a LARGE red solo cup of slime, spit, your eyes water, and nose runs. I thought I was literally dying my first stick. The slime causes tooth decay.
True, if the band is too tight it cause food too get stuck. However, if it's not tight enough your able to eat a little more & want loose weight. So find the SWEET SPOT they say... Okay today we find the sweet spot and it works well. Then you decide to travel 3 hours and the band then changes, so it's a viscous cycle.
EVERYTHING effects the band...
Weather, mood, stress, climate change, traveling, stress, sweating, flying, boating.
When you eat it is VERY little and everything must be chopped tiny tiny. Your stomach continues to make HORRIBLY loud gurgling sounds screaming for food. You are FULL but it's not the the tummy full feeling...it's indigestion filling of being full. You will become SICK of Protein Drink after a couple of years because you live on them.
In researching I was hard headed and thought I could get thru anything and would be different form the 5 people that kept screaming - - - NO No no...I sure wish I had listened.
If your serious about the weight loss why not do something permanent and one time instead of like me...NOW looking to have a revision. Which means TWO surgery - one to remove the band then waiting 6 months before a sleeve or MGB.
Think long and hard - the media doesn't tell you all the good and bad regarding the band.
Don't do it. Lapband is an awful device. Living with it for the past 9 years has been a nightmare. Finding anyone to adjust or remove (if the surgeon that put it in is inaccessible) is impossible. No one wants to deal with it because of all of the potential risks / complications.
