So Im gettin my band removed after a year of being miserable... i cant wait.. i feel for me, it was the worst decision i ever made... After dealing with severe acid reflux and esphogeal spasms its coming out... Ive lost 60 pounds, and i know that with hard work and motivation i can do it on my own.. ive done it before... my questions is the recovery time... im leaving for a two week cruise in Italy on May 11, and i just want to make sure ill be good to go.. I dont want to have any issues.. Can any one please tell me the recovery time... Im only taking 5 days off work for the removal.. i know ill be sore, but are there any issues!!!

Is your insurance paying for it due to the medical issues you are experiencing?

Yes!!!! I have written documentation from my gi doctor stating its medically necessary to have it removed... Just saw my surgeon yesterday and he also agrees that it needs to come out, and is also thinking that I might have a slip... Either way April 18th can't come soon enough... Im just worried cause I'll be leaving for Europe in 3 weeks after its removed...

Best of luck in your post-band life. I hope all becomes as you hope and you enjoy your European trip. Please post your "return to non-band land" experiences.

I'm 7 years in to my Bandster Life, and sometimes wonder whether I could/should/might want to have it removed myself....although not very often and I haven't had all THAT much trouble compared to others.

Jack, what kind of problems have you had? What problems have others had that you are aware of? My dietician told me that a very small % of people are successful with the band. Her definition of success was losing 75% of the excess weight.

That sux. It's a shame that it didn't work out for you. I'm assuming you probably will be out for like 1-2 weeks just like it was when you put the band in. Right? If not, maybe it will be a little longer...but it will be almost a month before you go so I'm sure you will be fine for your trip.

Hi, I just had my band removed on Monday 19th March. I was only in as a day patient and was home that same day. With all the pain relief etc I felt fine the day of the operation and when I came home. Yesterday was very sore and very tired but pain relief helped - not much sleep though due to gas pain in shoulders. Woke up this morning and not much pain at all... no gas. Bit sore when i move obviously but nothing too bad. Much better than when it was put in.

I am off on a golfing break only 13 days post op and my surgeon has said I will be perfectly fine by then to play so i'm sure that a chilled cruise wont cause you any issues! He reckons about 5 days will be pain free and by 7/8 days the incisions will be practically fully healed.

Hope that helps

Yes... Makes me feel much better.., thank you!!!!