Hey everyone -- My band removal surgery yesterday went fine. No problems. I was home that evening. Did Clear liquids yesterday and have had a little to eat today, no problems. Like kellymoos, I didn't get a lot in the way of post-op instructions.

The good news is I knew the minute I woke up that I was free from the discomfort and reflux-issues. That part has been great.

I kept asking if I could keep the band; the last thing I remember is my doctor telling me it "had to go the lab" whatever that means. So, I didn't get it back even though I bought it!

So far, recovery from band removal has been easier than band placement or my revision surgery last year.

Sticking around LBT,

Elizabeth:)

Glad your feeling better Elizabeth. It must be such a relief.

Ged to feeling better soon Elizabeth and glad to hear you are sticking around!

Elizabeth:

Tell your surgeon to get the band for you. As you say, you paid for it. It's yours. If they are worried about it being contaminated with your body fluids, it can be sterilized in the autoclave.

Mark Pleatman MD

Glad to hear the removal went well, Elizabeth! Hope your recovery is quick and totally uneventful.

Glad your recovering well. Any plans for rebanding or another option? Tell your surgeon you want YOUR band. What reason does he give for sending it to some lab? What lab?

Elizabeth, I'm glad you're home and recovering smoothly! ((((HUGS))))

I was told by my dr. that should my band ever erode or slip to the point it had to be removed that under no circumstances could I keep it. It must be returned for testing and to see if the experts can figure out what happened. I doubt the same is true in Mexico, as I've heard of people keeping their bands, but I've never heard of anyone who was banded in the US getting to keep the band once it was removed. If I'm wrong, please chime in and let me know.

Glad you're feeling better Elizabeth. So sorry you had such severe problems that the band had to be revised then removed. But VERY glad you had the option to have the problem fixed.

I'm sending a big HUG your way and I'm so sorry that you've had such a rough time but you seem to have a good attitude. Good luck and be sure to stick around!

Thanks, everyone. I'll call my surgeon's office tomorrow to see about tracking the band down. My guess is it's gone to the medical waste dumping grounds...

Feeling good... it's strange to be able to eat without worry for the first time in nearly three years. Boy, will I have to be careful in order to not put the weight back on. I can see how easy it would be to quickly re-gain.

Dody:

Your surgeon is bullshitting you. As a surgeon, I have never been asked to return eroded or slipped bands to Inamed. I've got a drawer full of them.

Mark Pleatman MD

ROFLMAO. So funny. Seems strange to hear the "bullshitting" remark come from a dr., but oh so true. That is what he told me, but I don't think I would want it anyway. What the heck would I do with it? It would just remind me of a bad experience I would just as soon forget. You mentioned you have a whole drawer full of them. Do most people feel like me and simply don't want it or reminders of it? Why the heck to you keep them. Do you have a band fetish or just a collector?

Dody:

I keep the bands to use as samples to show patients who are considering having them. That's all.

Mark Pleatman MD

Hey Dr. Pleatman, I have another idea for those old bands. Last Christmas, my surgeon decorated a Christmas tree at the surgery center with them.

Hey Elizabeth......Glad all is going well. We need to be "diet" partners. Pretty weird that we were banded the same week and then unbanded the same week....We need to keep in touch!! Good Luck to us!