I have had my band since 2/2/10 and I have lost 100+ lbs. I have some issues that have caused the walls around my band to thicken which has caused my band to become very tight. My band is completely empty. I have a lot to of issues getting food down. The opening is the size of a pin hole. I saw it on the upper GI ,I had Monday. Plus I have found out that I have precancerous cells in my stomach. So my Dr is taking out the band on 7/18/12. Im not very happy about this. I'm scared that I'm going to gain the weight back. This weight loss has changed my life... My Dr has even said that most of her patients gain weight back. Plus to make it worse everyone I talk to says I will be cube and for the past 2yrs I have lerned to eat. Everyone makes this sou d so east, NOT! . If any one as any advice or have had this happen to them please if me some kind of hope!!!

I had my band completely emptied in February removed in April because of esophageal problems apparently caused by reflux. I had hoped to revise tot he sleeve but my surgeon wasn't able to do it because of a stricture we didn't know I had. I've re-gained 24 lbs since my unfill. I know a few other people who had their band removed for various reasons, and unfortunately they've all regained some weight.

I regained weight so quickly at first that I was shocked, because I wasn't pigging out, just eating bigger quantities of healthy foods. My gastro-enterologist said that was my body's response to what it had perceived as long-term starvation/deprivation. Now that I can eat easily, my body seems to be holding on to every freaking calorie I eat.

I still plan to revise to the sleeve. If I were you, I'd want some sort of revision, but not until your doctors have a better explanation (and treatment)for those pre-cancerous cells in your stomach.

Good luck!

I wish I could have something else I was hoping to do the sleeve. But my Dr said my insurance wouldn't cover it because my BMI is too low since I have lost over 100 lbs. So I stuck with nothing. (

So a revision request never got submitted to your insurance? You might want to ask about that again, because my revision was approved when my BMI was only 26.6. Apparently my insurance company decided that since my band removal was due to medical problems, and they'd already made an investment in my bariatric health back in 2007, they were willing to OK the sleeve. It'll depend on the insurance policy, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Thank you I will do that.

How much was your removal cost?

How much was your removal cost?

I haven't gotten all the records yet, and it's 100% covered by my insurance, but so far it's $1600 for the anesthetist, $46,875 for the hospital (for an overnight stay), and $3057 for the pre-admission testing. My surgeon's fee will probably be $5000+.

Hi Tweety... there is always hope!

I completely understand the fear that you feel; in May I had my band removed due to major erosion. 2/3 of stomach had been eroded by the band along with some other severe complication due to the erosion.

a couple years ago I felt as though the band wasnt working and started counting my calories and exersing on my own and began to lose weight slowly but surely, then I found out last month the band had to go and the fear of weight gain set in. I had gained 20 the 6mos before removal from being so sick, in pain and swollen. (i stopped counting calories and exercising)

so I made a plan.... I refuse to let this band removal control my life

1. keep counting calories on my fitness pal

2. keep my goals of a 5k, or 10k race every 3-4 mos (keeps me moving and training)

3. keep training to do a half marathon (on of my biggest fitness goals)

4. keep control of My life

5.plan for weigt gain after band but dont let it stop me from getting it back off

These are a few of the goals I use to keep me on track... I have lost 15 of the 20lbs I gained, (I had a lot of puffiness which I think was a big part of the weight gain) I feel strong and ready to conquor this set back... it has only been a month and am just now released to walk/jog... You can do this, stay possitive and make a plan on what you want your life to look like afterwards

Well the day is almost here when my band comes out.I am sorry worried. Not knowing what is going to happen when I go to the hospital tomorrow. Im so annoyed mu sugery time is so late. I don't have to be there till 1245. And Sugery time is scheduled for 215 ..This really s....k s.