I'm so sorry to report that my band had to be removed on Wednesday, nine weeks and one day after being placed. The esophagal dysmotility was horrific. I existed on liquids and mushies, then just liquids, then finally I couldn't even keep down water without pain and puking slime balls. I am happy to report that, including the preop 20-lb loss, I'm down 49 pounds. I am not having further WLS and hope that after all I've been through, and the fact that i'm over halfway to goal, will keep me inspired to continue the weight loss journey to better health. Good luck to all you bandsters! I wish you every success... and may the words "esophageal dysmotility" never EVER be associated with any of you!!

CathyB

Congrats on the weight loss and wish you well on your jouney. So sorry you had to go through so much and lose your band so quickly. I am mourning the loss of my band on 7/6 (details in separate post). I did opt for the sleeve. Only time will tell if that was a good idea or not. Wish you well and continued weight loss. It looks like there's a lot of momentum in the media and many workplaces to encourage healthier habits. Go with the force. May your weight loss be all you need and you keep it off your whole life. One thing about it, those of us who have opted for WLS regardless of our outcome, know that it's not an easy way out.

Thanks, Ellissa! Best wishes to you with your sleeve!! I researched the band for months and months before doing it. It is possible I might have considered revision to sleeve if I'd had the luxury of time to research it, but I wouldn't consider making such a decision without research, and under the "duress" of such agony that I was experiencing. Besides it isn't done in my town, and going elsewhere would require payment up front. I work at my hospital, so payroll deduction was a blessing in that regard!!! Hope you have continued good results!

Oh I agree, about the research. Our son was looking into the sleeve a year ago and felt it was a better fit for him than lapband, due to the maintenance. It didn't work out for him to have either. So while I was hoping not to have my band removed I was confortable with the last resort being a sleeve.

Not all people can be "sleeved" at the same time the band is removed. I was fortunate enough that the tissue appeared to be able to handle that. So... in reality it may not have been an option for you at the time.

Whatever you do, I think it's awesome you have so much weightloss and sincerely hope you can keep it off and more!

Dear Cathy,

after almost 5 years Im having my band removed. I had severe acid reflux and I personally think that the band was placed higher than it should be, because I could feel that when the food didnt pass right to the lower pouch then I had problems with stuck food. Some days even drinking Water causes me problems other days I could eat a cow.

The outcome is that I have lost around 70 pounds but in last two years gained 50 back as I had problems. I know I should eat veggies and meat, but how when it gets stuck immediately.So I switched to foods that pass the band perfectly but are too sweet/fatty that I managed to gain almost everything back.

Now Im a bit scared what will happen when the band is out...

Eficka, I'm so sorry you are having problems. The band is a fickle thing. Seems to work beautifully for some, yet others have problems continuously. We need to lose the weight to maintain our health, but you know as well as me that living with pain, getting stuck, acid reflux, is not conducive to better health either. Even though I probably only had one "normal" week out of the nine weeks I had my band, even though I suffered terribly at the end, I was still sad to lose my band. I had such hopes and dreams that this would be the tool to enable me to finally lose the weight. However, by the last few days before surgery, I believe I would have reached down my throat and pulled it out, if I could have. Lemme tell ya, if you've already gained 50 of your 70 lb back, then the best thing you can do is get that thing out! How horrible to be having the terrible symptoms and GAINING weight. That's one of the problems with these surgeries, is that we'll do whatever we have to do in order to eat. Yet still have all the food limitations. It is true, the Hungry Monster does return. (I actually have been posting about this on my blog... take a look!) One thing that I have done is to consider my "condition" (the dysmotility) as "the enemy", or the reason that my dream surgery didn't work. I determined that I would not let the enemy have the final victory and rob me of the weight loss. I have found some really good blogs of people who are on the journey to better health. You can find them on the sidebar of my blog.

When will you be having surgery? I'd like to hear from you. You can e-mail me at bencath@aol.com if you'd like. You can do this. You will be able to make better choices once the band is out and you can eat regular food again. Yeah, it's hard... or we wouldnt have needed surgery in the first place. You'll probably be like me, though... I've been through h3ll and back because of my weight, and I'm determined that I'm not going to let it be for nothing!! Good luck!!