Les3691

2007, but I'd like to get it removed. Have gained all weight back and with my stomach virus flu scare and not being able to vomit, I'm terrified of it!

Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

2008 bandsters out there!? Feb 2008 and still going!!!

Hi all!
Soooo my story started a few years ago (I think 6).
I was morbidly obese and felt disgusting. HW was about 244 lbs (and I'm only 5 feet tall!!). I didn't have the willpower to lose ALL that weight on my own and began to realize that I needed help.
My mother had RNY a few years earlier and, while she DID lose like 75% of her excess weight, she never looked healthy to me. She suffered with anemia and Vitamin deficiency, never worked out, had very saggy skin etc.
When deciding on a bariatric prodecure I felt attracted to the lap band due to its reversability and low operating risks. The first surgeon I went to was VERY pro the LB- in fact I think he only performed this procedure. The second surgeon I consulted with was vehemently against the band and strongly advised me against it. This was years ago when then "anti band" sentiment was just starting.
I ultimately decided on the lap band because I'm a nervous person in general and wanted the "easiest", lowest risk, and most reversable procedure performed.
The surgery went well and there were no problems. I was able to go back to work within a day or two.
I've heard some people say they have a "love hate relationship" with the band. For me it was a "want to love, yet fear relationship" meaning I WANTED so BADLY for the band to work. But I was constantly afraid of it slipping... Or eroding.. Or food getting stuck (in public!) ... Or suddenly feeling tight when traveling and I didn't have access to a doctor... Or not being able to afford the fills and fluoroscopys... Esaphageal dysmotility, distended pouch... Etc.
My doctor had a strange way of doing fills. Unlike using fluoroscopys to help me find my "sweet spot" he would just put in the needle, fill the band, have me sit up, chug Water, and then release some Fluid. Once I felt the water go down he would remove the needle and tell me that im in the perfect zone.
Boy did that cause issues! Getting lukewarm sink water down is simple... But getting in Proteins and/or veggies down was much harder! I was constantly running back and forth to the doctor for fills/unfills (which wasn't cheap or easy! He was located 1.5 hours away from me and fills we're $50 plus insurance copay. So i was constantly taking off a half day of work and shelling out $80 for this.)
When I'd see him he was thrilled! After all, I WAS losing weight... And getting fitter... But it sadly it had nothing to do with the band. I was just too ashamed to admit it. Rather, I worked out every day, ate under 1200 calories/day, and carb cycled. I was on a mission to prove to the world that I COULD lose weight, and that I didn't get cut up and have a foreign object placed in me for nothing.
It was sad for me, and I really did feel alone... But I made it work and got used to chewing my food up a ton, taking tiny bites, drinking a lot to get the food down. I went from 244 to 178 and was happy. I was far from skinny... But I really felt good.
Fast forward about 5 years!!...
I got married, moved to NY and mostly forgot about my band. I actually gained some weight back after the wedding, but started Medifast/optavia and lost 40 lbs. I was good... Until the heartburn started.
My previous doctor warned that any heartburn can either be the symptom OR cause of a slipped band. I went to a new NY surgeon the next day to get all the fluid removed. A day later I felt mostly better but still tight. Foods were getting stuck and being that there was no fluid in there I was nervous.
Bands that are too tight can cause a slip.
My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and when I asked my surgeon what happens if the band slips/erodes during pregnancy, she just said "things can get complicated and more risky for both you and the fetus"
That's when i just realized that I'd HAD IT WITH THE BAND!! I could no longer live with device that caused me so much stress, fear, and didn't even work in the first place!! (that night I went to a wedding and took a bite of chicken which got stuck and had me dashing to the bathroom and vomiting. This was simply no way to live, yet a common occurrence for me).
Long story short, today I got my band removed and I FEEL SO RELIEVED! I am in practically zero pain and feel like a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders. I'll do another post about the removal process because this is already wayyyyy too long!!
TLDR:
Didn't have any MAJOR complications with the band, but very relieved to have it removed! It may be a less risky, reversable procedure on the outset, but the long term risks of complications are fairly high and can be nerve racking.
Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had bad hamburg last year, food poisoning! Threw up for 7 hours and it came out of both ends continuously. How gross, I was scared that I would have to go to the emergency room so I took a couple of imodium tablets which stopped both and after sleeping for 24 hours I was okay but kept on liquids for the next couple of days and prayed that everything would be fine. It was. Not good experience, but you need to stay calm when things like this happens so to keep your body relaxed and I was told it made the difference of not having problems after the fact.

Vomiting has always been a fear of mine with the band. Your stomach convulses over and over again. This can cause the band to slip or move so much that it can affect the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve goes up and over your left shoulder.
You might want to have some Fluid removed to see if it solves the problem. Your band may have moved or slipped a little and it's putting pressure on that nerve? Good luck.
tmf

Thank you and yes, you better believe I am a vigilant handwasher! There are two kinds of people in the world.. those that have had a lap band with several hours of dry heaving and everyone else. The formers hands are washed often.