I have struggled with this lapband since October 8, 2008. I lost 23 lbs at the beginning on the liquid diet. Within six months after my lapband I came down with psoriatic arthritis. This is an immune disease that leaves psoriasis all over your body and arthritis in your joints. Can also affect your organs. Is compared to Rheumatoid Arthritis. I should have known not to do this because I already had sjogrens, another immune disease. I don't know if I was pre-destined to get this or the lapband actually caused it, these are things we will never know. I just know that I have struggled with this disease and now on methotextrate injections every week and simponi once a month. Have been on Humira and Embrel but didn't work. I am a little scared about the surgery again but I know it is the best thing to do for me. If any of you have ever had these issues please get back to me. We need to let the company know if this is the cause to help others not to do this. I understand alot of people do have success and I am very happy for them but I have also been doing alot of research and it seems that over 40 % of the people with lapbands will have to remove them within 5 years because of some kind of complication. I don't want to wait until that happens. If any of you can, please pray for me that everything goes well and I can get my life back to normal again. I plan on starting a nutrtitional healthy plan with some exercise. I have found out the hard way for me the only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in. No miracles out there for me. Thanks for listening. I sure hope that the girl who had the band removed this week is okay. She hasn't responded to anyone yet. Prayers need to go up for her too.

Cheryl

Thank you for sharing your story. For someone like me who is not sure at this point, I need to hear the stories about the ones that did not work out so that I have a realistic view and informed decision. Good luck to you and God Bless you.

Thanks so much! Keep me posted on what you decide to do and good luck in whatever you choose.

You're completely right. For some the band is a godsend and for others it's a nightmare.

While I've had some complications, I still love my band. I'm so sorry that you've had such a difficult go of it. The decision to take the band out is a tough one and you will for sure be in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

I wish you well in your journey beyond the band

Sorry to hear that it has not worked for you.

I am surprised that your Dr banded you as all the info lists autoimmune diseases as a contra-indication to being banded. makes senses reall, if your body works in a way that it attacks itself then it is not going to like something foreign.

Have you been advised that the symptoms will resolve after removal or is it a case of now that you have them you are stuck with them?

No one wants to even consider the possibility of the band bringing on the immune disease. I pray it will go away after removal but I am afraid that it my have brought it out earlier. If it would just not be so severe I could live with it. All my famly believes the band caused this and are anxious for me to have the band removed. Remember me on December 7th.

Thanks for replying.

Cheryl,

thanks for sharing. sometimes I think I'm the only one who has problrms with the LB. best of luck on your removal.

I'm trying to find a surgeon with removal experience in south Florida. any advice on how to find one?

thanks

Good luck!!! I had my band removed 3 weeks ago and i cannot explain to u how happy its made me! I hope you feel the same joy i do without that little band from hell!

why did you have your band removed? I sure hope that with the band out that maybe my autoimmune diseases will at least be controlable. Did you have to diet before or did they give your blood thinner injections to take? How long did it take for them to remove your band?

Thanks,

Cheryl

well I got really bad GERD and was constantly vomiting which resulted in so much swelling that I couldnt eat or drink a thing for about 8 days and had to go into the ER and they did an emergency removal. the surgery didnt take much over 40 mins and ive been healing well. The next day I was able to eat solid foods and have been immensely happy since!!! I havent even had to take my GERD medicine anymore.. the removal fixed it all.