I'm scheduled to have my lap-band removed. After struggling with pain for the past 4 1/2 years, and minor weight loss (30 pounds), I am ready to say goodbye to the band. When I got banded in 2008, I had all good intentions. Follow up with the doctor, follow the diet guidelines, and get support through classes. I tried to find the sweet spot. After being filled, unfilled, refilled, there was never any sweet spot. In fact, with the band unfilled, I still have restriction, and pain. The pain is centered in my chest, and feels like someone is standing on my sternum when I wake up in the morning. The band has my stomach so irritated, I cannot eat eggs in the morning, and must stick to liquids. Any vegetables I eat must be heavily steamed. And if I'm in a social situation, and take a bite of food without chewing thoroughly, I will throw it up. Even the most unlikely foods (like Japanese seaweed salad) reacts with my band. Rice? Forget it. Steak? Nope. How about a chilean sea bass? It's not tolerated.

This is no way to live life. I am tired of the burping. I'm tired of the pain.

So, enough is enough, and the band is coming out. Yes, I know it's a tool, and not the answer to my weight loss, but it was a tool that hurt more than it helped.

Wish me luck. Out it comes next week.

Louisemom' date='

Wow! You're story hits real close to home for me! I was banded in 2009, and lost 60 lbs the first year. Second year, my weight loss slowed down, and I started having problems keeping food down. in 2011 I was diagnosed with severe RA and had onset of symptoms, so my weight loss took a back seat. I've gotten to the point now, where no foods stay down. Most days I am lucky if I am able to eat a few bites of food.... All DAY. If any food does stay down, it upsets my stomach terribly. I always have stomach "discomfort", as if I've just eaten Thanksgiving dinner, even though my stomach is empty. My port site alway feels bruised or sore. Some days even a sip of Water feels like it is "stuck". I have been taking steroids for two years straight, up to 60mgs a day at some points, in order to keep some of the inflammation under control. Taking all the pills is a nightmare. And of course I have gained every single flipping pound back. I feel like a failure. Which is one reason I haven't seen my doc about this issue. Plain and simple, I am embarrassed.

Until I read your posts, I thought maybe it was the inflammation causing my problems, but now I wonder if there is a problem with my band?

Thank u for opening my eyes! I am so very tired of throwing up six to ten times a day! I thought this was something I was just going to have to live with. But now I wonder if there is hope that this can be fixed!

Shelly[/quote']

Please don't be embarrassed to go to the doctor. You have a serious medical problem to begin with (RA) and you're rheumatologist or PCP is not a weight loss surgeon. Go back to your surgeon and get checked out.. I hope all works out for you and you don't feel like you had WLS in vein. Keep the faith!

Thanks for the words of encouragement. This is a LapBand AP system. Thursday's the day it comes out.

If anyone has converted to a gastric sleeve' date=' I'd be interested in hearing your story.[/quote']

My sister got it done less than a year ago and she dropped 100 lbs. u just have to make sure u work out bc u will get a lot of loose skin.