chulachichi

1 hour ago, jennmarie79 said:

I am in the process of trying to get my band removed. I have had to for almost 11 years and feel that its time to come out based on all the new research coming out. I would love to hear everyones experience on their lapband removals. How was the surgery any complications and how is life now?

Hi!
I too had my LB for 11 yrs n finally got it removed in 2018 due to many prior unrelated medical issues n the best thing I could’ve done. Thank God surgery n recovery went well with no complications period.

Also, unfortunately for me 4/6 months after surgery I developed an under active thyroid that caused an onset of various menopausal symptoms. Got put on thyroid medication for 5/6 months n HATED cuz it caused me a weight gain of 50 lbs. In addition another 20 pound weight gained on my own due to overall menopause issues.
It’s now been almost 2 yrs where I’m no longer on any medication n all of my menopause symptoms/issues have little by little started to subside due to incorporating a better wellness nutritional/physical care of my overall wellbeing. Therefore, I’m now down 30 lbs out of the 70 gained n still slowly making progress.
Wish u the best with ur choices n surgery is going to go well.

Hello,

Sorry for ur current situation. I had my Band for 11 yrs. When I got it I weighed 215 pounds at 5’2. Went down to 123 pounds. Kept the weight off for all those yrs. I only had it filled once right after surgery n it was enough for me cuz I too had all the same problems/symptoms ur having.
I just tolerate everything cuz I ❤️‘d more how I looked due to weight coming off fast n it was well worth the suffering at that time. To lessen the pain restriction/overall discomfort I just gave up on all the food that caused the restriction n instead learned to take smaller bites, sips n overall smaller food/liquid portions. It would take me an hour or so to eat a meal n when I ate out with friends/family I just ordered the kids meal, side orders or a small appetizers so this way I b done eating b4 them. I also lots of times ran to the restroom to throw up 🤢 n always made sure there was a trash can near by or carried a bag/container in my car for if I needed to vomit. This behavior of mine was frustrating/annoying but AGAIN I didn’t care.

Unfortunately I ended up becoming anemic n put on Iron n hated it. I also indulged on all the bad sugary foods n didn’t care/worry cuz I was still loosing weight n cuz it was the only food I too didn’t have problems with n it was better than no calorie consumption.

I got my band removed in May of 2018 due to continuous complications with my port due to a Tummy Tuck n very very HAPPY to have had it removed. If I wouldn’t have had a TT then I probably wouldn’t have had it removed. But, it’s true why things/circumstances happen for a reason n looking back I’m glad it was removed.
Anyhow, I hope my sharing helped a little n whatever u decide to do with ur current situation make sure u choose wisely n do the right thing when it comes to ur overall health.

God bless🙏🏽😊

Hi! Yes it’s normal for the port to move/drop lower than incision. This too happened to mine b4 it finally settled down. So, unless u have pain or any discomfort; then YES STOP worrying/overthinking or let alone touching it. Ur gonna b fine n do well with it.👍🏼😊

Wow n that’s awesome. Good for u. It’s also AWESOME to know that someone is doing well with it for this long n with no problems.

I had a ❤️/hate relationship with my LB n tolerated cuz what mattered most was that it kept my weight under control regardless. But, unfortunately had it removed due to PS complications n I semi miss this tool.
So, I’m now standing by for a possible revision God willing.
Thank u for sharing n God bless.🙏🏽

I’m so sorry ur experiencing this with the LB n it’s unfortunately cuz u’ll continue with all those symptoms until u make the right choice in removing it n instead settling for a revision.

I can fully relate to ur experience/symptoms cuz I too had the LB for 11 yrs n all my symptoms started a few months after getting it. So, I just put up with all the symptoms n tolerated the band cuz it was a nice little tool that DID the JOB in helping me loose weight by not OVER EAT or able to eat anything at all. I was 210 lbs when I got it. I went down to 135/40 lbs n loving/liking the way I LOOKED even though the symptoms SUCKED. I became ANEMIC n at one time got an AWFUL BACTERIAL infection that I DON’T wish on anyone.
Believe me it was a SACRIFICE having the band. But unfortunately n cuz I had no other choice; in 2018 I had the band removed due to LOTS of problems with the port after getting a Tummy Tuck n too was tired of all the TERRIBLE/AWFUL symptoms that came with it. If I would’ve FULLY RESEARCHED n known of all the LB symptoms; I would’ve instead OPTED for a bypass.

Unfortunately I did gain ALL my weight back but that was only due to lots of medical issues once I entered MENOPAUSE n being put on medication. So now, due to all my weight gain I REFUSE to let myself go n NOT EXHAUST all options for OVERALL BETTER HEALTH. Therefore, I’m currently being monitored by a nutritionist n dietician along with my bariatric doctor for a possible GASTRIC BYPASS that was recommended by my doctor.
Hope my sharing helped n u make the right choice for ur OVERALL HEALTH. May God illuminate/bless you in DOING THE RIGHT THING.🙏🏽

Hi!
I can semi relate a lot to u n yes unfortunately I slowly but surely gained all the weight I had lost with the LB. Which, overall it’s been very upsetting.😩😞

So now, I’m getting ready for a possible RNY in about 6 months cuz I again refuse to let myself go without exhausting all measures for BETTER HEALTH. Also, ever since I entered menopause arnd a year ago; my body has been going through lots of unpleasant changes n weight gain is one of them.

Meanwhile, I’m already being monitored/treated by a Bariatric specialty team n too pray to God for His will over my body/health.
Therefore, I too recommend u do the same in exhausting all measures for better health n cuz it’s better to BE IN PEACE instead of IN PIECES. Agreed n God bless. 🙏🏽

Hi!

Sorry for ur unpleasant experience. I too can semi relate. I had the LB n then eventually removed it. Unfortunately, when I had it removed I too gained some weight back but not as much. Then a little after I started premenopausal symptoms n where my weight rocketed back to where I initially started b4 the LB.

So, yes for me too it’s been very upsetting n challenging going through this awful LB experience. But now, I’m at a point in my life where everything that’s happened or continues to happen is becoming more acceptable n it’s all due to my overall SURRENDER to God n His will for me. Therefore, His healing is now helping me stay in PEACE n not in PIECES. God bless.🙏🏽

❤️ in Christ

Hi! I had my LB put in on 2007 n had it removed 5/2018. While having it I had all the same symptoms u had n some. I had a Tummy Tuck on 5/2017 causing me to have lots of port problems n leaving me no choice but to remove the LB. Since the LB was removed it’s been wonderful compared to all the problems I had. But unfortunately, 5 months down the road n in 10/2018 I too lost my thyroid n still struggling with getting my hormone levels adjusted. I’m going to finally go c an Endocrinologist at the end of this month. U having thyroid problems doesn’t have anything to do with the LB or them saying it’s the cause of absorption issues. One thing I will say is that since I lost my thyroid; I’ve gained 70 pounds due to the thyroid medication n it didn’t matter how much I diet or exercised. Ur LB removal will go fine n ur probably going to gain weight cuz ur body is going to go through a lot more major changes. So food for thought.

Hi! I had the band for 11 yrs n just had it taken out about a year ago cuz arnd my 7th yr with it; I started having lots of problems where I became anemic, lots of heart burn, throwing up with certain foods n pain due to band moving with certain exercises/stretches. All these issues were off n on for about 4 yrs.

Overall, I lost a total of 60 pounds with it. What made me take the band out was due to getting a Tummy Tuck n the port started giving me lots of problems arnd the incision not healing/closing n this just added to my other issues with it. So, I finally got frustrated n decided to remove it. I should’ve gotten the gastric sleeve cuz it’s never a good idea to have a foreign object in ur body cuz sooner or later the body will start to reject it n problems will arise. But, whatever u end up getting, make sure it’s the right choice, we’ll worth it n ur not going to regret.

Well, unfortunately the TT went SUPER BAD cuz the incision opened up on my 2nd day of surgery n left me an opened wound/crater that took about 4/5 months to heal from the inside out. I had the surgery 5/17 n to this day I’m still dealing with it but almost over. Going into it my health wasn’t good cuz I was anemic n little did I know how important red blood cells r for tissue to connect after any surgery. I hope to finally by the start of summer I’ll b over with this darkest moment of my life n if I would have know this was going to happen b4 hand; I would’ve NEVER had the surgery.

I thank my Lord for getting me through it n thank u too for inquiring cuz my case was very unique.

Hi!

I got my LB in 2007 n just got it removed 3 days ago due to complications arising from a Tummy Tuck in May 2017. The LB is a good weight loss resource tool but it won’t work alone if it doesn’t first click in the mind. I ended up developing GERD n ANEMIA from it but nothing serious. For now I’m going to give my body a break from all these surgeries b4 I consider any more revision to my body.

Good luck to a u new with Bariatric surgery