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I had the lapband procedure on May 20, 2008. My band slipped when I was on a trip to Kauai last month (July 2009). It is my understanding that it is quite rare for the band to slip but mine did. I had to have it removed when I returned because it not only slipped but was twisted. As you know when you have the band put in, the costs for the procedure vary from insurance to insurance. The same is true when you have the band taken out. I have Blue Cross PPO and my out-of-pocket cost for the hospital ALONE was $2,920. I have not received my doctor's bill yet. I am sad that I don't have the band any more. We were a great team. I've lost 85 pounds and I want to maintain my weight loss plus lose some more. I may or may not have a new band placed again in the future. I would suggest going to a bariatric doctor and finding out the status of your band (slipped, eroded, etc.). Also find out through your insurance company what would be covered and not be covered so you will know ahead of time. I am very concerned about your symptoms. When my band slipped and twisted, I could not take any liquid or food and my saliva would even come up. It was terrible! You get dehydrated very quickly. The emergency doctors in Kauai did not know much about the lapband procedure. One thing they did do which was good is that they put me on an IV ASAP. If I was on Oahu, it probably would have been better. They tried taking Fluid from my port and were unable to. I had three doctors trying to remove fluid. Later we found out, the band had twisted so they could not remove fluid anyway. Good luck to you! Please let me know what happens when you go to the doctor. I would suggest not seeing any other doctor but a bariatric doctor because any other doctor is not trained for lapband problems. The longer you delay with a slip or twisted band, the more it could damage your stomach. I had to be in the hospital three days for testing prior to my removal because the doctors had to find out the status of my stomach. All was well (no erosion) but it really traumatized my stomach.

I had a feeling you would say that (that it is difficult living without the band). Its been pretty easy so far with my food but I think its only been a few weeks since my band was taken out and my stomach is still swollen. I can tell that I can eat more than I used to (little restriction) but I also have little appetite and no cravings (thank goodness). I will investigate this new band you talk about and see if my bariatric surgeons use it or not. I think you are in Australia? I am in California in the US so the band has not been around as long as it has been where you are located so maybe they are more advanced than here. I also heard from someone from this site about doctors suturing not only the port area to the stomach but also suturing the band to the stomach. Have you ever heard of that? Maybe this would help slippage. Maybe the new band solves the problem of erosion and slippage. I was wondering how your port healed after it was taken out? The area were my port was located has been accumulating Fluid and has scar tissue. Its like the size of a small egg. Its very hard. I can't sleep on my stomach like I used to because of the pressure of laying on this area. My doctors have told me that this is common and have been to the doctor twice for them to take the fluid out. It feels like a fill or unfill when they withdraw the fluid. They told me if it continues to fill up with fluid, they could be a drain in it. Its slowly getting smaller so maybe my body will accumulate it eventually. Thanks for sharing your experience. Good luck to you! Please keep us posted on what you decide to do. You will be helping not only me but others that are trying to figure out what do without their band.

I had my band removed a few weeks ago due to slippage. I fell out of a kayak in Kauai on vacation and when I climbed back in, my band slipped! I thought I broke a rib. My stomach was too swollen to have a new band put on. My doctors seem to be confident that I can not only maintain my weight loss but lose more weight. I've lost 85 pounds so far but would like to lose more. I am very interested to see the responses to your post. I am still keeping the option open of having the band placed in me once again. I have not heard of this new band and am interested in finding out about it. I have read about having the band inserted through the mouth rather than through the stomach with the 5 or 6 incisions. I don't know how many people have had this procedure and would be interested if there is anyone out there that has had the band placed through the mouth. I would be curious to know why you think you need another band. You appear to have tremendous success in maintaining your weight loss. Did your appetite increase and cravings return? My stomach is still swollen so I do not have much of an appetite or cavings. I am fearful of what will happen when my swollen stomach goes back to its natural state. I've made HUGE changes in the way I eat, exercising, etc. The band was a powerful too and sometimes I think its still there.

Thank you for responding. I know that my port was sutured because I have been having Fluid around that area since it was removed. I have had fluid taken out twice and its hard in that area due to scar tissue and fluid. I do not know if my band itself was sutured or not. According to my informal internet research, slippage occurs 2-4% of the time. My doctors said their slippage rates are even lower than what I researched. It seems to happen infrequently. I have not meet anyone personally who has had a slip yet. I heard about slippage before I had the procedure but I thought it would never happen to me. It was a freak accident that I would have my hands up, being pushed from behind, etc. I have lost 85 pounds. I had my procedure done on May 20, 2008. Its very scary. I am still eating small portions and exercising even more but I can tell I can eat more than I did with the band. The band stopped me. Now I have to measure even more carefully otherwise I will eat more! Obviously, I don't want to gain the weight back and I've researched and found out that you can not only gain the weight back but gain even more! If it becomes a struggle, I am having the band put back in! There is another part of me that I'm glad its out because it was a foreign object and that bothered me at times. It was a powerful tool combined with my eating the right foods, right amounts, exercise, etc. I would recommend the procedure to anyone struggling with weight. Thanks for your support. I appreciate it. I am still going to my support group and have a fantastic group of lapbanders that help me tremendously.

I did drink soda before my lap band procedure but after the surgery I stopped drinking it. I think I lost the desire for it (among many other things). It just didn't taste the same as it did before the surgery. I had the lap band procedure in May 2008. I had numerous fills and unfills. On a recent trip to Kauai, our kayak tipped over and when I climbed back in (with help with our guide and my husband pushing me back in from behind), I thought I broke a rib. I later learned in emergency after a catscan and x-ray that it wasn't my rib or spleen, but that my lap band slipped! It was a freak accident. I had it removed several days later when I got home by my bariatric surgeon who put it in. He says I can wait 5 weeks and have it put back in. I am still debating with myself whether or not I want to put it back in. I was in the hospital for three days taking it out because I had to have numerous tests to see if my stomach was damaged from the band slippage. I have thousands of dollars of out-pocket costs. The insurance pays for most of it but I have to pay a portion too. Having my band slipped, meant that I could not swallow liquid or food and even my saliva came up! I feel much better since it was taken out. The slippage was something that I thought would NEVER happen to me. I am fearful that I will gain my weight back that took so much effort to lose and I will gain more. I am eating the same as I was before my band slipped and exercising even more. One of my bariatric surgeons is confident that I can do this. If not, I am having it put back in. For now, I am taking care of myself and recovering from my surgery. If there is anyone out there who is recoving from having the band taken out, I would appreciate hearing from you. My band was taken out not out of choice but out of an emergency. My band was so traumatized that they could not put a new band in after they took the old one out. Is there life after having your lap band taken out? If so, what kind of life? I've been changed on so many levels just having the procedure and living with the band for over a year. Can I keep my weight off? Can I lose more?

Yes, I went from a size 9 to size 8. I used to wear wide width and now I am a regular width. It was totally unexpected. I just noticed that my feet would flop in my shoes because my shoes were so big. It was almost dangerous at times becuase they were too big. I had to basically buy all new shoes - isn't that a shame? I also have had to move my rings from one finger to another finger because they also became too loose. I didn't expect that either.

I agree with you. It does give us a "jump start." I am on track more than I ever have been in my entire adult life. I asked my doctor if the kayaking would have contributed to move my band and she said it was probably did with the combination of lifting my arms up to get on the kayak and then pushing off the hard surface to get on it. Who would have known? I don't know how to warn others about this. Apparently, the band can slip even with weight loss. My insurance covered my lapband surgery in May 2008 but I still had out of pocket costs for the hospital and doctors. I still have to pay the out of pocket costs for the removal that I had last Thursday. I can't even imagine getting psyched up again for another surgery after this past week of being in the hospital so much, so many tests, needles, etc. I think a support group about those of us who had our bands taken out not out of choice would be an excellent idea! I am still planning on attending my doctor's support groups and staying on task with my program. Thanks for sharing.

I just read your message today. I really needed to read it. I had my band removed last Thursday. It got twisted when my kayak turned over. I twisted it when I was getting back into the kayak. It was not my choice to have it taken it out. I was hoping that it could have been replaced when they took the twisted one out but my stomach was too swollen. They say I can return in one month to have it replaced but I after being in the hospital three days, the time and expense may be too great for me to return in one month. My program is a strong one and I am hoping that I can just continue what I am doing without my band. Its very scary but I appreciate your posting to let me know that if you did it then I can do it!

Half of the battle is finding out what the problem is. Having lots of tests helps. Good luck to you too! Please send a post after you have your test. I was half hoping I had a broken or fractured rib rather than a twisted band but after x-ray and catscan it was confirmed it was my band.

I just had my band removed last Thursday and I'm feeling quite sad. It helped me lose 80 pounds. I was climbing into a kayak and it made my band twist and turn so I had to have it taken it out. I would also like to hear from others that you can continue to lose weight after the band is out. I know I have the option of having it put it in again but the time and expense is quite great. My doctors have assured me that I should continue to do what I was doing while the band was in me but I can't help but feel apprehensive that I may slowly increase the amount of food and cravings will return. Right now I have no appetite (thank God!) but its only been two days since surgery. I plan on continuing with my support meetings and eating the small amounts of food, drinking lots of water, exercise, etc. If any one else is out there in the same boat I am in (without a band), please post and let me know how you are doing. My band and I had quite a system going and know I lost my powerful tool.

I don't know how I missed this subject but I have been colder than I have been in many years. I grew up in Michigan and had lots of cold weather but I live in California now. Now that I have lost over 75 pounds I do feel drafts and cold. I know its because my fat insulation is missing. I am also very curious to know how I am going to cope with the heat. I used to suffer walking around with all that insulation and the heat. It will be another surprise to see how my summer will go with less weight. Lots of little surprises ahead!

You did not mention anything about getting fills. THis is a powerful tool to help you lose weight. Having a fill gave me the kick over the 250 point. It gave me more restriction so I was forced to eat less and I had to make decisions on the amount of food that I ate and what I ate. Don't weigh yourself for awhile. That also helped me. The emphasis is on getting stronger through exercise and focusing on what you are putting in your mouth. Make the band work for you. Good luck to you! If I can do it, you can too.

I had a very similar problem. I had the stomach flu and it lasted for more days than it should have. I went to my doctor because I was getting dehydrated and weak. I couldn't keep water or protein shakes down. I called my bariatric doctor and she said that my band was probably traumatized from the stomach flu (I threw up more than I have thrown up in my entire life). She had to do an unfill of 1 cc from my band. I ended up meeting her at the hospital because I didn't think I could make it to the Monday appointment we originally made. I met her in the emergency room and she did the unfill. I felt immediate relief and she had me drink some water to make sure it would go through. Call your doctor. Maybe they could meet you at the office or at the emergency room. It really helped me. Please let me know how you are doing. I know how awful it feels not to keep fluid down. My saliva was even collecting in my pouch and coming up. This is not how the band works. You can always get a fill later when you are not sick.

The best thing I took away from OA is "Take one day at a time." That is all we have to deal with. It makes it easier to deal with. It sounds like you may have too much time on your hands. Maybe look into finding something that interests you? Fix up the place where you live. Volunteer at the library or hospital. Sounds like you are on track.

Congratulations on a successful lapband procedure. Thank you so much for the low down on your hospital experience. You sound like your are doing excellent. Hope to see you at our next lapband meeting later this month! Ellen

I do feel much better since my last fill. I still have restriction but I'm not throwing up, gurgling or having my stomach feel likes it sour (stuck food). I have an appointment with my bariatric doctor tomorrow morning. I will see how my weight loss is going. I only weigh myself when I go to see her. I haven't had a scale in my home for many years. I have made small goals per my doctor. My first goal was to get below 250, then 240, then 230, etc. I don't think I will stop at 200. If I didn't lose another pound, I would be thrilled. I love being able to buy clothes in regular stores, feel better, look better etc. I don't know how much of a friend you have because it sounds like they are sabotaging you! Automatic eating is very dangerous. In my support group we talk about "mindful eating." No television, reading, etc. The ideal is to eat and pay attention to each bite, small bites, chew, chew and chew some more, etc. You also have to pay attention the quantity of food. I have read that one of the biggest reasons for success with the lapband (and bypass for that matter) is to go to support groups. I love OA and they are very helpful but I think going to a lapband support group helps the BEST!

I had my last unfill on April 18. I went to OA for many years. It helped me in many ways but the band has been the most powerful tool for weight loss success for me. I simply cannot eat the volume of food like I used to eat plus I don't have food cravings. My therapist doesn't have a speciality in food addiction but that might be interesting to find a therapist that has that. Can you go to a support meeting for lapbanders near your home? I go regularly to three meetings a month through my bariatric surgeon's office (bypass and lapband) along with a support group once a month with an emphasis in lapband. I found that I have to find another source of comfort for myself other than food. I exercise, shop, talk on the phone, take a hot bath, etc. Anything else but to eat or to eat over feelings or boredom, etc. Good luck to you! We are on the same path but it gets bumpy at times.

Its a careful balance. Isn't it? I had an unfill and toying with the idea of a fill but I'm enjoying not throwing up and keeping things down. If I was you, I would get myself to a support group ASAP (if you are not currently attending one). Head hunger will not help with fills. Also, it really helped me by going to a therapist and working on issues related to head hunger. We need to learn that the band is only one tool and we need other ways to deal with life and our feelings without the use of food. Good luck! Let me know how you are doing. I care because I am walking the balance beam of having the correct restriction to limit the volume of food but enough food to give nutrition.

SAN FERNANDO LAPBAND MEETING!!! There is going to be a San Fernando Lapband meeting tomorrow, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. in Burbank at Marissa's house. See Marissa's telephone numbers, address and directions below: Marissa's Cell number is: (210) 797-6614 Marissa's Home number is: (818) 859-7524 Her address is: 707 E Orange Grove Ave, Apt E Burbank, CA 91501 *DIRECTIONS TO THE HOUSE (HEADING NORTH ON THE 5):*North on the 5, exit Olive Street. Follow the exit to the right which putsyou on Angelino Street. Go straight all the way down until you hit SeventhStreet (into the neighborhood area, past San Fernando, Glenoaks and Sixth).Take a right on Orange Grove and then park where you can (anywhere in thatintersection). *ONCE YOU ARRIVE:*It is on the Northwest Corner of Orange Grove and Seventh Streets. The second house on the left. There are a bunch of really tall trees in a linenext to the drive way and a huge Water wheel out front. Follow the trees topass through the gate. My apartment is all the way down at the end on thesecond floor. Up the stairs. There is only one set of stairs there :drool: We would appreciate it if you would let Marissa or me know if you can make it to the meeting. Ellen E-mail: e.tippit@yahoo.com

I was feeling many of the symptoms you are experiencing last week. I called my doctor last Friday night and she suggested that I meet her in the emergency room on Saturday morning. She took 1.5 cc out of my band. I am feeling much better. I was getting very dehydrated because I could not keep water or food down. This is not the purpose of the band. My band was way too tight. My doctor could not explain why other than it happens sometimes. I can now eat and drink without pain in my chest or throwing up the liquid and food (totally gross). Get some fluid out! Don't be uncomfortable and pain. The band was not meant to cause discomfort. You want the "sweet spot" of losing weight and having enough restriction. Good luck to you! Please let us all know how you are doing.

No, I do not regret it. Its one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I used to wear size 22-24 and now I'm wearing size 14. I just went on a trip to see my family. I didn't have to huff and puff through the airport and search for places to sit to rest in between walking and I didn't need to ask for a lap extender to close my seat belt. My mobility has increased, I look better and my body feels MUCH BETTER. I only wish I would have done this years ago (although I didn't know about this years ago).

How are you doing now? Please let me know. It sounds like you have been having an awful time with throwing up. I sympathize with you. I had the stomach flu with the band and it was terrible. My band got traumatized (my doctor's words) and I had to have an unfill.

Thank you for sharing. I agree. Eating slow and small bites does help but there are unexpected times that food gets stuck. I've been noticing that stress seems to effect getting food stuck. It can be bad or good stress. Good luck to you with your next surgery next month. I will be banded one year next month. Its the best thing I have EVER done for myself.

I am still trying to figure out how to use the enzyme. Did you eat the enzyme along with the tuna? I'm wondering that if you eat the protein along with the enzyme that the enzyme helps to break down the protein?

That makes sense about the difference in bread and Protein. I will make a note of that when it happens again. Somehow I know it will. I try to be so careful and eat slowly, make good choices, chew small amounts, etc. Sometimes I do well and sometimes I don't. Thanks for your help.