I just had my lap band removed three weeks ago. Doctor said everything looked good and there was no erosion. My question is, does the pouch where the band was at go back to pre band shape or is it now going to remain smaller. I am still having some left over symptoms of when I had the band; such as not being able to eat past a certain amount without getting upset stomach and/or pain.

It should go back to the regular size it was prior to lap banding but if you have issues make sure you go back to your doctor! Nancy.

I just had my LAP-BAND® removed three weeks ago. Doctor said everything looked good and there was no erosion. My question is, does the pouch where the band was at go back to pre band shape or is it now going to remain smaller. I am still having some left over symptoms of when I had the band; such as not being able to eat past a certain amount without getting upset stomach and/or pain.

doc said i will still have restriction due to scar tissue

after I had my first band removed, I still had restriction. I remember a month after having the band removed I had a pb episode with kimchi :S It was weird but my doc said it was a normal thing to happen as my stomach size had changed because of the band

I had my band out on 9/7 and I can honestly say that my stomach size is smaller. I simply cannot eat large, out of proportion sized meals.

For at least the 1st month post op, I often noticed physical pain if I ate even as much as I did with the band. I don't get the pain anymore, but I am truly satisfied with the small meals. I find it easy to stop with small portions and I do not find myself fighting a raging hunger.

I suffered with reflux issues for nearly all of my 5 years while banded. My biggest fear at having the band out was struggling with my weight more than I already was and having some wild appetite that I couldn't control. None of those things came to reality. I've learned some good eating habits and am very self aware. So, I guess my point is...If you have to have your band removed for whatever reason, there is no need to panic. You can do it!

my doctor said this was meant to be a perminant fixture, not something to be removed

WHY ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVING THEIR BANDS REMOVED?

THAT SCARES ME

I GET BANDED 2/23/11

THANKS

hi ocean girl -- some people had complications with their band that required removal. it can erode into your stomach, or more commonly, the band can slip. (what happened with me...twice). what you need to remember is this: the medical community is learning more and more as more people get the band, so they've improved upon it since i got it in 2003. that was only two years out from FDA approval. Now we're 10 years out! i also don't think i had good after-care from my original surgeon. their nutritionist, in my opinion, had me on mushies way too soon...because i could tolerate them. i also wasn't 100 percent compliant and would PB when i overate -- which creates a risk for the band slipping. uninformed doctors over-filling the band (which makes you throw up because you can't eat anything) is also a problem. AGAIN, I think there is better care and information out there now. There are many, many people successfully living with the band -- people tend to post more when they have a problem. GOOD LUCK. You'll be fine!

doc said i will still have restriction due to scar tissue

Yep, doc said my stomach may be "mishapen" due to scar tissue and that he can go in in about 6 months and stretch any strictures in there. If I have a "natural Band" I'm sure as heck not going to get it stretched out!!!!

My band is unfilled and I no longer get the stuck, full sensations but I certainly dont have anything like the appetite I used to have. My mental image of a properly proportioned meal has changed, I eat slower and I simply dont need as much - my body is used to not having large portions. My band was trouble free but unfilled for a series of other surgeries.