Following an earlier post where I asked if any band patients had experienced fibrous stricture - where you experience pain before eating, whilst eating and after eating! This went on for 3.5 years and I was told it was because the band was too tight. The tightest I ever managed was 3.5cc - anymore and I couldn't swallow. At my last appointment with my surgeon I stood my ground and said take all the fill out.

He suspects there is fibrous stricture where the band touched the stomach wall and this has reacted to the band. Now the band is empty I still feel some constriction and I still get pain although not continuous( as when the band had 1cc in) when I eat and after.

I live in the UK. At my pre-surgery weight, my BMI and other related conditions meant that I met the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) criteria for NHS funded surgery - however they refused to do this. So I borrowed money and had the band fitted. I now learn that the NHS will not help me with any problems relating to band surgery - even though my surgeon was also doing some NHS bands at the time.

So here is the dilemma - I need an investigation and probably band removal and I will have to pay for this myself. So do I just try and find a way of getting the band removed privately and not bother getting the camera diagnosis confirming what everyone suspects? I really cannot afford any of this so it seems pointless to pay for two procedures..... my GP also advised me to think carefully about these options as her opinion is that it should come out. She said at 5 years I was one of the longest banded patients at their practice and she suspects that banding is soon going to be outdated.

Has anyone experience of using private services provided by NHS hospitals rather than good old Spire and similar private hospitals?- I read something in the paper about the NHS going down this route at the weekend. It appears they trying to raise revenues by offering private work - makes me cross though as it seems at odds with the basic ethos of the NHS.

Anyway enough rambling - I would love to hear from anyone who has had their band removed or with any advice or thoughts you would like to offer!

Thanks

Jane

Sorry to hear you are suffering Mdlala. I am now taking medications 4 x day to coat the ulcers, hopefully enabling them to heal. I have been in trouble for years with this and have only now gotten to the bottom of the problem. It has also been suggested that I may have a fungal infection and that may also require some medication. Fungal infections are not that uncommon apparently (says my surgeon)

I do not want to be in any more pain, nor do I want to be taking wretched medication all the time so will be saving up to get it removed. Probably in the region of £4000.

I have no fill at present and there still appears to be restriction and I think this is due to the band sometimes absorbing Fluid but also from the irritation caused by the ulcers. Try and get some investigative work done if you can. Also make sure you wash out your pouch before bed so that no food ends up laying above the port.

And JACK thanks for the kind words. It isn't an easy journey and I know many people on here have encountered problems. I have kept off just over 40lbs - my best weight loss was 46lbs so not too bad all things considered. Of course I worry that having it removed will be 'dangerous' for me, but I also worry that I could be doing untold damage to my oesophagus by letting this carry on further.

Will post an update soon.

Hi

I ended up having my lapband removed three days ago. The recovery is going well but my esophagus is still very swollen. My doctor said that would take a month to heal They did find scared tissue and the best decision was to take it out. I don't plan on having any other surgeon. I will continue with what I learned to continue to be healthy. Best of Luck to you

Dear Mdlala - I hope you make a speedy recovery. I completely understand your decision, and I will be following with a removal as soon as my ulcers have healed.

It is a little daunting facing life without the band, but as you rightly say, lessons have been learned. I am looking forward to being able to eat healthy food again with out the problems we faced with the band. It works for some and not others. I have managed to keep 40lbs off so not a disaster by any means. When you feel better do let me know what eating plan you are going to follow? I have a mind to do Weight Watchers online!

Anyway, brave decision and the right decision get well soon

J