Hi - thought I would share my story. Had a lap band over ten years ago. Worked really well for first 3 years or so but slowly regained almost all of the weight I lost. Two years ago i started on sensible eating plan and virtually no alcohol. The weight dropped off and now I am as low as I ever been and feeling really great. I don't believe that the band has been ' working' over the last several years. I had an infection appear over the port site recently and have been diagnosed with erosion with about half the band in the stomach. I suspect that the band eroded some years ago and it is not a recent event. I will be having the band removed shortly and even though I don't think the band has been working and I have finally got my act together with regards eating sensibly I still harbor an irrational fear that once the band is removed i will regain the weight. Has anyone else got a similar story ?

has your doctor discussed with you alternatives to the band after your stomach heals up? such as a traditional RNY surgery ? or a sleve? i've heard that some that have band problems and just remove gain back all the weight plus some. please have a talk with your surgon on what would be best for yuo?

I have already made my mind up that I won't have any further bariatric surgery so I am really steeling myself to be really careful in what I eat etc. Its really hard to judge if the band has been helping in any small way to my weight loss over the last two years when I have just been eating sensibly. When a band erodes it supposedly becomes ineffective.. I am pretty confident that my erosion isn't recent. I guess time will tell. Thanks for replying. I will let you know how I get on.

My doctor explained to me that erosion can occur if u end up putting back on the weight you have lost as the fat layer around the stomach that you have intially lost grows back around the band which causes the band to get too tight and start eroding into the stomach, you dont necessarily feel more restriction when u put on weight either ... which is probably what happened to u some years ago

I understand your fear regarding having the band removed but you probably have done all the work over the last couple of years 'on your own' .. sounds like u know how to eat now and know how to get the weight off on your own .. so good luck with it and i hope things improve for you !

Thanks Cazzy. I hope you are right. It's good to have found this blog so I can share my fears !

10 years you are definatly a pro... I have been banded 8... And I have changed so much I don't even recognize myself ( eating habbits) but know this you are strong and God does not give us anything we can't handle. It's an addition so I hope you got some counseling for the overlying issues... Good luck and we are here it you need support!

Thanks BushBaby. You're right. I can do this ! I will do it !

Thought I would you give an update. Saw the surgeon for pre-operative discussion. While I was there I checked the date I the band inserted and got a shock. It isn't ten years ago it's almost 14 yrs. As I have posted previously I have been concerned about gaining weight once the band is removed in a few days so I asked him to remove what fluid was in the band and he got only about 1/2 ml of dirty brown fluid. All the fluid has been absorbed. That gives me confidence that the band hasn't been doing a lot for me and I wont go into a feeding frenzy after removal. Neither of us want another procedure so that's good. I am getting myself emotionally and physically prepared for the removal. I will keep you all posted on how I go.

Update. Now over 3 weeks post band removal. Feeling good. Energy level returning to normal. Delighted no weight gain - haven't become a ravenous beast. Determined to maintain current weight.

Great! Continue to maintain!

Knew you could do it! You are a warrior! Keep up the good work!

Had a wound infection which has slowed me down. Coming up 6 weeks post op. No weight gain so happy with that. The surgeon warned me I would need ' Nana' sleeps for a time and he is right. I'm not superwoman. Have been doing a bit of soul searching with the down time. It's all good !

RGB, thank you for sharing your story. I'm having issues that make me think my band may need to come out, and your story is an encouragement to me. I'll share my own story in another thread.