ejldnewsom

I sincerely appreciate all of the replies to my frustrated self, and I humbly apologize for sounding absolutist, and for coming across as being on the attack. I am honestly happy that it works so well for some. It is a choice that I would not make again for myself, and I will always advise caution with regards to the band, but I will have to add and stress that it can be quite / very successful for the right people. For myself, I finally found a bariatric surgeon that listened to everything that I had been going through. He said that the problem was band intolerance, there are some (very few, thankfully) that can feel the device. That, in addition to several other health concerns (to include a weak esophagus) led to him recommending removal. Amazingly, my insurance covered that surgery, and I have been band free for 7 weeks now. My weight is going down, and not only are my muscles no longer in painful atrophy, but they are coming back! I teared up when I realized that my biceps had a bump again at 6 weeks out (without any exercises during post op recovery), vs being flat and flaccid despite curls etc pre removal. For me, it was not a good thing, however, I am not the norm. I have had to have all implanted devices removed because I can feel them, and they hurt a lot. With the band specifically, it was also causing a malnutrition effect due to my increasing list of food intolerances -- most of which have been resolved since removal. It is so nice to be able to eat fresh produce, lean meats, eggs, etc without ongoing pain. *shrugs* I have come to understand that my experience is so far out of the norm as to be unhelpful. I did not realize how abnormal my experience was until I met a surgeon that did not dismiss me out of hand, actually listened to all I had to say, did testing, validated my issues, recommended simple removal, went to bat with my insurance company, then actually removed it. Life is much better without, for me. But my case is very much not the norm.

Congratulations to both of y'all, glad it worked out so well for you. I still would never recommend this device to anyone. Mine was one of the early ones, before there was any long term info. It was put in by a military surgeon. As such, there is no long term follow up, everyone gets shifted around every few years. If you plan to never move and your surgeon is staying in the same place for the rest of your life, sure. The overwhelming data at this point is that it is not a good option, and most surgeons refuse to put them in. And, if they didn't "make the mess" then they "don't want to deal with or be liable for any issues related to cleaning it up" - to quote 7 different bariatric surgeons that I have contacted over the years. I have other health issues unrelated to yet exacerbated by the band. They were not yet diagnosed at the time. I am glad that it has worked for y'all, again. But perhaps y'all might consider not attacking or lobbing crappy accussations at other people. Just because it worked well for you does not mean that it works well for all, or even most. The Lapband has a very bad rep in the medical community nowadays and is basically the cheapest possible surgical option at this point.

I need this POS out of me. Are there any Bariatric surgeons around Austin, TX that will remove It? I have zero interest in replacing it with any other surgical option. Just take the bedeviled thing OUT. 9 years of steadily increasing misery, plus other health issues, it needs to go and I am at my wits end. ejldnewsom

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.

Hi, my name is Lucienne and I am newly banded (25 Sep 2009). I am looking forward to insight and help, even knowing others are hitting the same obstacles will be a help :smile:

Oh thank God, I've been in horrific pain with this danged gas!! Lol, I also had a hiatal hernia fixed, was just banded on 25 Sep 09, and the gas OMG my stomach feels like it is rolling in there! My shoulder and neck pain has been horrible! Reaching for the gas med NOW!! :smile:

TriSouth didn't give me any hassle at all, but we had a great surgeon putting together a program to help as many people as possible at Fort Hood. We did the pre-op class and screening as a group and got our psych eval sent in and they pretty much put us right on the waiting list. Did mine back in April, was banded 25 Sept 2009. Hang in there, keep calling and making sure they are doing their part on their end. Good luck. :smile: