I was banded Feb 25th 2010. I have lost a grand total of about 25 pounds since then. I was fine for a few months after surgery until my surgeon started pussing aggressive monthly fills which landed me in the ER twice with a band that was so tight, I couldn't even swallow Water or my own saliva. After that, my surgeon's 'bariatric coordinator' called me every month *asking* (not telling me to come in, but asking) if I would like to come in for a fill. Not 'adjustment'. 'Fill'. To which I started replying, "No, the band was too tight already and I had to go to the ER because I couldn't even drink water." She accepted my answer, hung up, and called me again the next month. This went on for a few months. When I finally went in to see my surgeon again to assess how I was doing he insulted me, called me a liar when I told him of my complications, smirked as I described my eating habits, food choices and amounts, said I was 'noncompliant' because I refused to see him each month (excuse me, I was ASKED if I wanted to get a fill, NOT told to come in for monthly assessment, that their fault, NOT mine) and refused to see me as a patient because I wasn't losing weight as quickly as his other patients.

For several months I had to fight with my insurance company to be seen by another surgeon off base -we are military and there are no other Lapband surgeons/doctors on base.

Finally got a referal to UC Davis Medical Center. They removed all of the fill in my band back in January of this year. I am due back there in a little over a week to be assessed again.

I had emergency gallbladder surgery on March 26/27th of this year and the surgeon at that time said by band looked good. I've had an x-ray done to look at my band and I'm told that it's sitting where it should be. However, I am still having band complications.

Heartburn, reflux, general discomfort (I can sometimes feel the band rubbing against the inside of my rib cage), nausea, no weight loss, the complete inability to eat fruits, vegetables or whole grains (along with things like Beans, tortillas, ground beef/chicken/turkey), and depression. The only vegetable that I can usually eat without much of a problem is sauteed baby spinach without the stems. Even applesauce, mashed potatoes and even Soup are sometimes problematic. Needless to say, I can't take medication in pill form at all for fear of it getting stuck and needing removal via upper endoscopy. Sometimes I can't get *anything* down and often end up having nothing but water for a week. I get stuck on nearly everything and the pain is horiffic. When I get stuck, I start sliming really badly and usually have to go to the kitchen sink and spit out all the saliva/slime while in a great deal of pain. After several minutes, the stuck object eventually works its way through the band.

Have I mentioned that for nearly 2 years now, I haven't been able to sleep on my right side, back, or stomach at all? Instant heartburn/reflux. And now recently, I am developing heartburn laying on my left side. I cannot sleep comfortably at all anymore, even propped up on a bunch of pillows.

No one should have to live like this. I don't want to live like this anymore. I did this to be healthy but this isn't healthy at all. I want to be able to make good, healthy choices. I so badly long for the day that I can sit down to a salad or steamed cauiflower or veggie stir fry knowing that I can eat vegetables again without horrible and debilitating pain in my chest and back. Beaing able to eat an apple or an orange would give me the greatest joy in the world.

I just want this band gone. I just want to live my own life again.

Has anyone else had these issues? I feel so completely alone in this!

Doctors seem incredibly reluctant to remove this nightmare device! I so badly wanted this to work out but at this point, all I want is my life back.

Well in that case... congratulations! I wish you oodles of success!

Well, I had my band removed on Monday July 9th.

As it turned out, it WAS slipped and had likely been slipped for 2 years.

I'm not experiencing any more reflux, heartburn, pain, food intolerance, etc. All problems have resolved immediately!

I'm able to eat broccoli, brussels sprouts, Beans, fruit, all the healthy stuff I wasn't able to eat before.

I could not be happier. I'm so glad it's gone and it is immensly satisfying to have my new surgeon tell me that I was indeed correct in assuming that something was wrong. My original surgeon ignored my symptoms, ignored my slipped band and refused to see or treat me.

The folks at UC Davis took such great care of me. Surgery was only 45 minutes to an hour and I was home within a couple hours of waking up. I'm glad this nightmare is finally over.