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My band was also completely empty for a few months before removal and it didn't help the band go back into place. My stomach was so tiny I could hardly eat and then the acid reflux was causing me to cough constantly and vomit every day or so. I am sad my band was removed but kinda relieved at the same time. My husband would have a fit if I ever considered another band, he was really worried about me and my health. I have joined a TOPS club in my city and am really motivated to go forward. I wish you the best and know that you will feel like a new person when the band is removed! Joan

Jake, I did get a kenalog injection about two weeks before the band removal. I barely noticed any improvement. The NP at my surgeons office said that when the band is causing stomach problems that an increase in mucous/drainage can occur like the body is reacting to the irritation. Even in January I am still having allergies, not crazy like in spring and fall but still daily sneezing and runny nose. I had allergy testing done and tried different allergy meds. I began having hot tea w/ a spoon of local honey each day, the theory is that this will work similar to the way allergy shots work. Before things were so out of control w/ my band I had planned to have deflates each spring and fall like you are planning. Best wishes to you, I hope things work out great for you and your band. Joan

My band was removed on 12-8-11. I went in for a revision due to a slippage and a hiatal hernia repair. When I woke up I was told the band had to be removed, my stomach blood flow was compromised, not getting enough oxygen and it was at risk of dying, necrosis. I lost 60# in the year I had my band, 20# to go until goal weight. I was quite sick due to severe allergies and reflux, especially the last few months. I have really bad allergies which cause post nasal drip, plugged pouch, vomiting and on and on. I would get fills and had many deflates due to vomiting and pain. I was really depressed that my band was removed but believe my body just couldn't tolerate it. When it was good it was wonderful but when it was bad it was horrid! I have gained weight since the band removal but am determined to lose the rest of my weight and to maintain this loss! Joan

Hello, In my opinion the sleeve is your best bet since you plan to go to Mexico for surgery. To have the band and you work together you'll need an appointment each month with your surgeon for the first year for check ups, fills... I had to go in much more often than monthly sometimes for deflates due to being too tight. Unless you can do all these appointments in your town I wouldn't consider the band. Many people fail with the band because they don't receive the necessary follow up visits. Good luck to you! Joan

Hi. Has your surgeon viewed your band under fluoroscopy? Maybe it's not even in place or buckled closed? If not, I would highly recommend you ask about having this done! After 14 fills it seems the band is either not in place or it's leaking. Good luck! Let me know how it's going! Joan

I had my band for one year, Dec. 2010 until 10 days ago. The band and I worked well together, I ate adequate protein every day, always drank enough water and exercised 3-5 times per week, plus I did not drink drinks with calories except protein shakes. I lost 60# in a year which is amazing for me, middle aged, yo yo dieter for 30+ years and hypothyroid. My band slipped and a hiatal hernia returned. My stomach at the revision/repositioning surgery had been with out adequate blood flow and was in danger of necrosis, tissue death. The surgeon decided to remove the entire band. I believe the reason things went wrong with my band was due to my extreme seasonal allergies, post nasal drip which would make my band plugged up, then I would vomit which causes stomach swelling, more getting stuck, more vomiting... I tried every available allergy medication, OTC and prescription. I never over ate and was very conscious of what I ate. I had frequent deflates/band emptying but these problems still happened. I think the band is a fabulous tool and wish I was able to tolerate it better. You get out what you put in and I worked hard at losing weight and getting more fit. In retrospect I would look into the sleeve. I think the gastric bypass has too many nutritional complications. Good luck to you and your quest!! Joan

Wow! It looks like it was a great week for most, during the Holidays even! I am sitting here tearful because my band was removed and I am not posting a loss. I am sad it was removed but also a bit relieved. I suffered greatly the last few months due to the slip and hiatal hernia. I was so sick yet thankful at the same time to be losing weight during that time. My thinking was kinda weird during that time, I knew had miserable I felt yet was so excited to be losing. Now I am thankful to feel wonderful, no reflux, coughing, vomiting, pain... Yet I am afraid of gaining back the weight I have lost. I just returned from a 2-2.5 mile walk, will go the gym tomorrow but thoroughly enjoyed a piece of pizza at Sam's Club today, too. I have gained weight this past week and know it's due to several reasons, post op swelling, I was almost anorexic before surgery and gaining is fast after that, but I have also been eating too much. My goal is to maintain my weight in the 170's for awhile. Larry~ Congrats on the 150# weight loss, that is awesome! My son is loving the uke and plays and belts out songs every day! Lisa~ I love the stats! Keep up the great job you are all doing! And remember, never let yourself be too tight, that was probably the cause of my band slipping. Joan

Hello, I had to have my band removed today at the time of the hiatal hernia repair and am not able to get another band in the future because my surgeon said the hernia will reoccur. I am going to work REALY hard to continue losing and to maintain my weight. : ( Joan

The first month or so is about healing, not weight loss. Hang in there,it'll all come together! Joan

So bummed, I had to have my band removed today. The surgeon said it caused the hiatal hernia and would do it again. He said no future lap band for me. He said if I gain weight back I could cosider the gastric sleeve. I am terrified of gaining weight! Joan

Joan weighing in at 171.2, a loss of 2.4#. I am heading to the hospital for my band repositioning and hiatal hernia repair surgery in a few minutes. Larry~ My husband bought the Cordoba 15CM, concert size from Musicians Friend last PM, plus a gig band and digital tuner. There is a ukelele class next month that my husband and son will attend. Joan

I hope everyone has had a great week. Tomorrow is weigh in day, good luck. Joan

Amy~ I know how you feel about people losing faster than some others. I figure it's just how it goes. We will never be happy if we compare ourselves to others, someone will always be richer, smarter, prettier... We need to be our original selves! 7 people! That is a busy household! Maybe they can keep their junk food in an out of the way place you won't come across easily. Thank you praying for me, I really appreciate it! I prayed w/ a prayer chaplain at church Sunday and sent in an online prayer request to Silent Unity. I am trying to think positively. My fear is that my abdomen will be too messed up to replace my band and that the surgeon will remove it. I am terrified of living w/out my band and gaining all my weight back. ; ( One day at a time, right? My surgery is scheduled for 11:45 AM, MST on Thursday in case you can pause in prayer. Joan