I had Lap Band Surgery 3 years ago. I never lost a pound. I eventually had to have it removed because it slipped. I can't even begin to tell you how devastated I am. I blame myself because It didn't work. I beat myself up because I spent over $10,000. on dr. and hospital out of our family's pockets. We could have used that money for so many other things. then I had to pay all over again to have it removed. I was told I could not just leave it in because it would erode and grow into my stomach. I had it taken out 6 months ago but I really couldn't even talk about it until now. The dr wants to put in a sleeve but I just can't stand the thoughts of going through all that again plus I don't have the money. I think one of the reasons that I am so devastated (is there a word worst than devastated) is because I had such high hope and made so many plans of what I was going to do when I lost weight. Is there anyone on here that has some words of comfort or advice on how I get over this and move on. All I want to do is lay on the couch and watch TV and sleep and forget. I am so ashamed of myself. Please give me some feed back. December

I would like to know , if anyone out there has had the band on for more than 10 years. If you are done with the fills, Should you have removed? Or just leave alone and leave it in forever (scary thought).

I am planning on having mine till the day I die. If it was removed my weight would start going up pretty fast. I have no problem losing but always gain it in back in a year or two. Who knows if I will ever have problems and have to have it removed, if that happens I will move on to whatever is new and proved to be safe. Even though I have learned a new way to eat and get more exercise I know my body, can't do it alone, been there done that.

Cheri

I'm planning to have mine removed before I have skin removal surgery. I've lost this weight with never having a fill and a completely empty band. I have about six more months of hard core work to do on myself before I have the skin surgery and need to drop the remaining 35 pounds (which is probably less now because at my consult, the plastic surgeon said she thought she could get 5-8 pounds of skin off me right now).

Because I've never had an adjustment, I feel like I am more prepared to accept the idea that I don't need the band anymore.

Hard core exercise and eating well, organic and healthy is in my blood now. The band did neither of those things for me. Now, I can't say it did nothing for me but I feel that I can do this without it. Why not just leave it in? Well, the band gets blamed for every tiny pain I have and it worries me a lot. I think it best for me to get rid of it.

I think that deciding to remove it or keep it is a very personal decision. I definitely wouldn't remove it unless I was sure I had the tools, knowledge and motivation to go it without it. I've lost weight before and gained it back but I never truly made exercise a part of my daily life. I also always felt deprived when I watched what I ate during "diets". Now, I eat what makes my body feel good and exercise goes right along with that.

All the best,

I wish you the best, and hope it works for you.

Shirley.

Check Yes, I appreciate you posting on the topic. I haven't had an adjustment either yet, and I have enough restriction to lose almost 100 pounds thus far. I too have been wondering if I should keep the band in or not after I get to my goal, I guess that will depend on if I ever need an adjustment or not. It seems like at this point I won't as long as I keep on the bandwagon.

I don't plan on taking mine out ever, either! When I had to get unfilled bc of a horrible sinus infection I gained weight...so that is obvious to me that it is still doing it's job. Unless I HAVE to have it removed for some reason I am definately keeping it!

There is no easy answer in working the band it is hard work and it is definately different for everyone. I did wonderfully for two years and then when I had to have my band unfilled I slipped up and fell back into old patterns...so now I have to get back on track and that is hard to do - especially at Halloween with all the candy around!

Hang in there!

Kim

Are there any complications with getting the band removed? My husband is on his 2nd band and it's just not working for him and he's starting to go throught the choking every night and throwing up after every meal. The band is just not for him and he has actually gained weight on the band so that is why I say it's not for him. Is it a struggle with insurance to have the band removed? Does anyone know what would allow them to have the band removed? I can't sit here and watch my husband struggle everynight - it's just not healthy for him to continue living this way and I need to help him get this thing removed. Any suggestions?