critterlady

Hard to say. I wasn't always the most compliant patient...But I've read on here that many more compliant people than I am have had problems. I don't blame the band or my surgeon. It just wasn't for me. I like the "wrong" kinds of food too much to be a good candidate for this. I lost about 40 lb total but gained back about 8 or 10. I'd still like to lose about 30 more lb, but I'll either do it on my own, or I'll stay fat! Good luck in your decision. There are good threads on this site, read up! And if you have any other questions, just ask!

Sure. I had it placed almost 3 years ago. 2 years ago I began getting stuck a lot and having pretty bad reflux. A year ago, the reflux got much worse and I'd wake up choking on reflux, even after taking a lot of antacids. At that point, I had a total unfill, but the problems didn't get much better. Within the last 5-6 months, even with the band empty, I was still getting stuck on practically every bite, and sometimes even water. Began vomiting more. Vomited blood twice. Finally I decided something had to be done, so I had the upper endoscopy done two weeks ago, which showed ulcers in my stomach and erosions in my esophagus. No wonder I've been so miserable. Anyway, I can't say for sure that getting this band out will fix all those problems, I may always need to take meds for the reflux, but I can say for sure that I will be so much more comfortable once I'm healed from surgery. I have felt all the fluids I've been drinking today runnning straight down and not "pooling" in my throat/pouch. Much improvement already!

Wow, what a difference already! I've decided that I hate anesthesia, but aside from that, everything went really well today. I think they took me back around 10 am and I was on my way home by 1:15! I don't think I have near as much pain/discomfort as I did when the band was placed. I don't feel as bloated up from the gas they use to inflate the abdomen. My port hurts a little, kinda sore but the pain meds worked well. My question is this: did those of you with band/port removal have a really REALLY big swollen area over the port incision? I have some bruising, but no bleeding, and I'm not concerned about the bruising, really. I bet the swelling is due to wrestling to get the port out. I have sent the office manager at my surgeon's office an email telling her about it. I'm really not too worried about the swelling, but I'm definitely watching it. Will go to dr if it gets worse.

I've just been reading the posts and I guess I should ask my surgeon about this....but I'm getting this thing out because of severe acid reflux (erosions, vomiting blood, getting stuck with every bite). I'm so excited about life after lap band removal that i hadn't even considered getting a sleeve. it's probably too late to get into this with my doc, but i also can't afford ANY more time off of work for ANYTHING....including more surgery and recovery time. How did you all approach the conversion> Thanks

Same thing happened to me! I think I pooped about 5 days post-surgery, and it was literally like an m&m!!!! All those suggestions are great! Plus, walk!

I"m wondering the same thing. Mine is coming out on Tuesday (woooohoooo!!!!) and I plan to go back to work maybe Friday. Maybe Saturday. We'll see....

Salads are easy for me. Asparagus is tricky (but I haven't eaten the stuff in the can...that's gross). This summer, when my dad brought me sooo many delicious home grown tomatoes, I found I had to remove the skins in order to eat them. Of course, I've had major issues and am getting this thing out in 3 days. Good luck.

I am so excited. You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to getting rid of the reflux and pain. And getting stuck. Man, this has been a rough road. I think I lost around 50 lb with the band and have gained about 10 back. I don't care. All I care about is feeling better and being able to eat. I don't mean anything crazy, but I can hardly eat the things that are good for me, and I can't wait to eat grapes, apples, sandwiches, and carrots. I have a feeling that after I'm recovered from removal, there will be a food orgy. Good and bad foods, and that's ok with me. There are grapes in the grocery that look sooooo good right now...and I can't eat them. I can't wait to eat home grown tomatoes without removing the skins! (too late this year, but I"m looking forward to next!) OMG, a real deal BLT?! Total bliss, and I've missed it the past few years. Yes, I"m a food addict. I love good food. And who doesn't eat emotionally from time to time? The band wasn't the right choice for me. I know that when I'm ready, I can lose the weight by myself. But in the meantime, I can't wait to eat whatever I want without getting stuck, puking, or having to take a million zantacs. So glad to read y'all's stories. Good luck to everyone, and I'd love to hear more from you.

Thanks, Slim Not totally sure what's going on. I had the EGD and there are erosions and ulcers evident. ....this reflex has been agony....the EGD says that the band is "ok", per my doc....I don't feel that the band has failed me, but more likely that I have failed it. I"m just so ready for it to be gone. I am NEVER comfortable, between the stuck episodes and the reflux....i's misery. thanks!

Do you feel like acid is coming up your throat? Is there pain? Have you ever had reflux before? I'm dealing with now. Well, I have been for the past two years and I've only been banded 3 years. I've developed some major complications despite an empty band (it's been empty for over a year, and I continue to pop Zantacs and Tums like candy). I had a scope done which showed some really nasty erosions and stuff in my esophage. I'm getting the band out a week from tomorrow, as I'm sick of the ocmplications. Please talk to your doctor.

Oh, I remember that feeling so well!!!! I was DYING to chew something!!!! Not only because I just wanted to chew something, but because I was SO HUNGRY. It's been almost 3 yrs since I had my band placed, and I think I remember my first "real" food....some noodles with marinara? I think? God, it tasted so so good. (I had been cooking really hearty Soups during the liquid phase, but nothing beats chewing when you're just dying to chew!) Side note: The noodles were whole grain! (no shame here, please!) I didn't have to do any special diet prior to getting banded, but I did have to do liquids for a whole month after. OMG....if I ever have to do that again for a prolonged period, I'm not sure what I'll do! I love food! Good luck! I hope you get clearance to eat something substantial soon. And yes, I still have trouble with scrambled eggs. I love them, though. I'm looking forward to getting this band out in 8 days so I can eat them unhindered. Good luck!

Sorry about your issues! Hope your unfill helps. I have a totally empty band and have worse problems now than I did with a small fill. I'm having the band out in 8 days!!!! Really excited, because I've had very similar symptoms along with the most horrible reflux imaginable. Keep us posted.

Thanks, Mis. No, no revision for me. I"m ready to do this by myself. Or not. I just want to feel better. I know my general health would be better with another 40 lb weight loss, but i'll either do it or I won't. I hope I will, but I'm just looking to feel better. this really sucks.

I've been reading some of your posts about some "issues" you've had with your bands. Some of you are freaking out about losing the band, or getting unfilled, or whatever. I used to, too. I understand the fervor of getting that thing filled and losing weight, I really do! BUT!!! I've had such horrible problems for the past 2 out of 3 years I've had the band....I shared your frantic emotions about the possibility of losing my band, or my restriction, early on, but now, I want and need it out for my health. I'm still obese. I lost 50 lb with the band, but have regained about 10 of those in the past two years. That doesn't bother me as much as my other health issues do. I have been eating Zantacs like candy for the past two years. Everything I eat, and sometimes everything I drink, gets stuck. The reflux is practically killing me, and lately I've been having stomach pain. I have vomited blood a couple times in the last month. I had an EGD this week, which revealed erosive esophagitis and stomach ulcers. (no slip or erosion, according to my surgeon) That was the assurance that my surgeon needed in order to remove my band. It's coming out in 10 days, if y'all haven't read my previous posts. I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from getting the band....just PLEASE be aware of the potential side effects or problems that exist. I can't wait to be able to eat "normally" with no feelings of being stuck or the horrible reflux. Yes, I'm looking forward to eating the "bad" stuff, but I also can't wait to eat grapes, carrots, apples, and tomatoes (with the peels on!). One day I guess I'll get to goal. But until then, I look forward to feeling normal again. Good luck in all your goals!

Wow, all...I am SOOOO glad to hear that I"m not alone, but, of course, I'm sad that other folks are experiencing these problems.... Whose life can be "normal" by raising the bed, sleeping on a million pillows, etc, just to avoid the nighttime reflux?! I"m not doing all of that, but I do pop Tums or Mylanta during the night...and during the day, I'm popping Zantacs like crazy.... I got the band in 2009. I started having trouble in 2010. I finally went and had the EGD this week and found ulcers and erosion in my esophagus. Thank the Lord, the band is coming out in 10 days. I just pray, pray, pray that having this band out will make me more comfortable, and allow me to eat the foods I want to eat (most of which really are healthy!!!) I've had no Fluid in the band for over a year, and still I'm stuck with practically every bite, and you can't even imagine the pain of the reflux. Or maybe you can. I've said it before, but I'll tell you that I really thought the band would be my magic bullet. Believe me, it wasn't. There are times I want to binge. there are times I want to eat a BIG, FAT SANDWICH or GRAPES or TOMATOES WITH THE SKIN ON!!!! I can't. I know the big fat sandwich is against the band rules, but I still want one. I"ve had a couple, and boy have I paid.... Anyway, I'm really excited to have this thing out. Weight loss aside, I just want to feel better. good luck to all.