I started out at 325 on June 6, 2006. Today I am very proud to say I am down to 125. It has been 5 years and I was told by my dr that is long enough to have the lapband in so now I am trying to find out how to have it removed any suggestion. My orginal surgeon was in MX and right now I can afford to go back there. I am self paying

I would imagine that if you're self pay you can just go to a regular lap band surgeon to have it removed. Lots of people have problems getting insurance to cover removal, but if that's not an issue for you I don't know why a doctor wouldn't do it if you wanted them to.

thank you for replying. Actually I am having issues. I can't seem to get enough nutrition so I am constantly fatique and diarrhea. I am a student and during my spring break I just stayed in bed because I was completely worn out. My BMI is 23...

I don't think I need it any longer ...how long have you had yours

thank you for replying. Actually I am having issues. I can't seem to get enough nutrition so I am constantly fatique and diarrhea. I am a student and during my spring break I just stayed in bed because I was completely worn out. My BMI is 23...

I don't think I need it any longer ...how long have you had yours

Sorry you are having problems. Have you tried just getting the Fluid removed?

[i haven't had a fill for over 3 years.

I would be very wary of getting it taken out unless it is really necessary. It is quite possible that without it you may regain some or even all of your weight. Also why put your body through surgery unless you have to.

A BMI is 23 is perfectly healthy. It is not even close to being underweight. Maybe you just need to make better food choices to help allevaiate the tiredness. However tiredness often results from the busy lives we lead and often has nothing to do with what we eat. The diarrohea I would get checked out - is the Dr sure this is band related? It is very unusual if it is as most bandsters tend to border on the constipated end of the scale. I would make sure that all possibilities were checked out first before having the band removed. The last thing you want is to go through surgery and then discover that you still have the same issues.

I agree with elcee. I think there is something else going on. Also make sure your dr. understands the lapband. I find a lot of people, including physicians, don't understand the lapband and how it works. I would definitely consult a lapband surgeon before doing anything. You certainly don't want to go backwards after all your hard work!

actually my dr had a very lengthy consult with me the day before the surgery. He recommended only keeping it in for 5 years, having a foreign item in your body he said was not such a good plan as our body will grow over the band. He also after 5 years I should have changed eating habits. and gotten my psyche under control where I don't lose it.

I all ready know I will not get up to 325 again. I love being who I am now. My husband loves who I am. It is a wonderful old/new world (I was little in high school and in my 20's

I keep wondering if I might have mine out once I reach goal and maintain for a while. I have never had a fill be needed one so I am not sure what help it's giving me or not giving. I guess I will cross that bridge when I get there.

If I were to have mine out I think it would be so it didn't cause any problems in the future. If it's not doing anything to help keep you at your goal, I say take it out.

thank you, you have been the first encourager. I am sorry so many people do not have faith in themself to think they can not over the psychological problem that caused them to be obese in the first place. I believe I have over that "addiction" mentality. Yes at first it will take time to adjust to not having the restraint but i believe I can do this.

I keep wondering if I might have mine out once I reach goal and maintain for a while. I have never had a fill be needed one so I am not sure what help it's giving me or not giving. I guess I will cross that bridge when I get there.

If I were to have mine out I think it would be so it didn't cause any problems in the future. If it's not doing anything to help keep you at your goal, I say take it out.

I have been having the same thoughts!! If anything it's only helping me get stuck, lol. The full sensation is nice but I think I've really grasped the nutrition and exercise that is right for me.

find a lap band dr and talk to them. I think they would be the best one to take it out! Congratulations for your weight loss! Good Luck!

Instead of having it removed, I would think about a large unfill. That's what I did after maintaining my weight loss for a few months. I wanted to be able to eat in the morning (when I was tight all I could tolerate was a protien shake) and have some bread, pasta, rice. I am happy with the way things are now. Just think of all the money you'll save lol! Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

I plan on keeping mine in always. I dont want another surgery and I went into this knowing it would be permanent. I have learned new skills BUT my band controls my hunger like nothing else can. I am satisfied on small portions, not having my band would bring that crazy never ending hunger back and then bam I am back up 117 lbs. I am below goal and plan to be this weight when they bury me. I have never heard a dr tell a patient it isn't permanant.

I plan on keeping mine in always. I dont want another surgery and I went into this knowing it would be permanent. I have learned new skills BUT my band controls my hunger like nothing else can. I am satisfied on small portions, not having my band would bring that crazy never ending hunger back and then bam I am back up 117 lbs. I am below goal and plan to be this weight when they bury me. I have never heard a dr tell a patient it isn't permanant.

I wish i could encourage you, because i wish i didnt have to have the band forever...

However, i know a girl who had it for 5 years, she did great, she lost 150 pounds, she was working with her surgeon because he was so proud of her success. She did support group meetings, she motivated patients before and after the surgery. She is the one who convinced me.

She thought she was now healed from

Her bad habits and would always stay skinny.

Before christmas, her port detached and they discovered her band had leaked(the doc said it is because they did fills and unfills too many times, scary).

Half of her body got infected, she had to have the infection drained for 2 months. She lost her lap band and was risky to put another one in. She gained 35 pounds in 3 months. She said she was back to what she was, she couldnt believe it, she was dping so good for so long, she had never gained a pound.

She had to get the sleeve to stop

The weight gain.

I wouldnt have it removed unless it is causing problems