I've kep 70 lbs off for about 5 years now which I am very grateful and could have not done this without the lapband. The problem is .... I have always had trouble eating fruits and vegetables and the deserts/sweets have always not been a problem to keep down. I've kept the weight off by eating small meals but I always have a desert (or 2 or 3) daily also. I realize that this is not healthy, but I do eat my protein daily. Over the years I've had a big problem with acid reflux. Even if I don't eat for serveral hours before retiring to bed, I still wake up coughing and then refluxing lliquid. I've had fills taken out and filled again many times over the years. I decided that enough is enough and this Wednesday I am having most of my fill taken out. This isn't really a reversal, I'm just taking most of the fill out and it can be put back in if I decide later. I am tried of not sleeping/having acid reflux and I want to eat salads, vegies, and fruit again. I just want to feel healthy. Has anyone else made this decision and experienced some of these things as I have?.. I would appreciate any feedback from those that have had the lapband for more than a few years and feel the same way that I do. Thanks

I know where you're coming from, although I've not had real dramas with my band I've had a slew of problems in the past year or two - following rectal cancer which was in no way band related. Cancer placed more demands on my body but at seven years my body has said ENOUGH! You need to feed me or I will quit working.

I was in no way a super low cal dieter (lost on 1200 to 1500 a day, maintain there too) I eat well, ll food groups so it has taken years for the cracks to show but I have obviously needed extra to heal from big surgeries, chemo and radiation. Instead I have tried to prove how tough I am by dieting harder, running hAlf marathons, etc. It started ith disturbed slep, low testosterone, foot cramps, over time progressed to depression, renal problems (nothing too serious), depleted ferritin levels, and I suspect my abnormally low heart rte is not purely a result of great cardiovascular fitness. Diagnosis? Malnutrition! I am normal weight not scary skinny. But becoming more skinny fat by te day and unable to maintain exercise levels I could do whilst having chemo!

You cannot starve your body for years on end, we do need to begin to eat more eventually and I think you're doing the right thing. We're all guilty of using the band too stringently, 1000 cal a day is for the short term only! I have not gained now I'm on 1800 so good lucky- I'm beginning to feel loads better.