Just wanted to update everyone on my slipped band. I went in yesterday for surgery and unfortunately due to too much stomach swelling the band could not be repositioned properly without a very long surgery and/or compromising my health. So they cut it out. Everything is gone. As soon as I woke up from my surgery stupor it was the first question I asked and the answer was "no we had to take it out." My surgeons spoke to me extensively before and after the surgery and answered all of my questions and explained that removal might occur if they could not reposition the band. I had driven down to TJ alone for this surgery, but the kindness and care I received at the surgical center really made up for being by myself.

This morning after my drain was removed from my port area (ugh) and I was bandaged up. I drank a bottle of apple juice, Water and packed up and headed out. Boy was it ever good to feel liquids go right down the chute without backing up. Heavenly. They recommended that I stay and sleep or at least get a room at the LUcerna where I'd stayed the night before, but I felt pretty strong and steady so Mrs. Ortiz kindly escorted me to the Mexicoach and I scooted on back across the border to my waiting car.

A couple of hours later and I am safely tucked away up in my cottage on a hill in Los Angeles with my 3 fur people and a big library full of books to cozy up in and heal.

In 4-6 months if I want another band I can have another one installed. If I can maintain or lose weight in that 6 month period I will choose NOT to be rebanded. I know the odds are against me, but I must remind myself that it is POSSIBLE to lose weight and keep it off without a band. MOre difficult , but possible.

thank you for all of your warm thoughts and wishes they have all been appreciated very much!

-Mary Ann

Barbara,

I saw so many people in the waiting room at the surgery center, but being the somewhat introverted person I am wasn't going to go around asking, "ARe you Barbara?" Ha! Ha! I'm glad you're back. Back in January 2005 when I had my unfill my pouch was about the size of a plum. Dr. M and Dr. O didn't say so definitively, but agreed with my assessment that my constant pouch packing and PBing probably led to the stomach being pulled up through the band even more between January 2005 and now. They did say that carbonation WAS NOT the reason. My problem was I didn't have any leeway because there was no more fill to be removed. In your case you have saline left in your band. I think if it was a problem they would have removed all of the fill and left it out, but it sounds like they put back in 1.4ccs is that right? ARe you wide open when your band is unfilled? Do you PB alot or pack your pouch too full? If not, I bet there is an excellent chance that your band WILL NOT slip. If you start getting reflux in a bad way (hell, in any way) get back down there. In the unlikely event that your band does slip I bet you anything they can reposition it successfully. My case was different/unusual because I was tight without any fill. Know what I mean? In any case let's keep in touch about it.

This morning I enjoyed Breakfast out with a friend for the first time in over 3 years. It was such a simple pleasure I could hardly stand it. I ordered bacon, eggs, a pancake, & sliced tomatoes, and hot coffee. My friend was shocked at how little I ate and kept saying, "ARe you sure you don't have that band?" I kept giving her more and more of my food. I slowly ate about 5 bites of the eggs, 2 bites of tomatoe, 2 slices of bacon, 1 small pancake, and the coffee which ended up being about 1/4 of what was on my plate. I felt perfectly satisfied and not overly full at all. I felt like I was out of prison. Afterwards I went into Little Tokyo to pick up something and stopped by the Farmer's Market. I saw a basket of beautiful strawberries. I looked at them and then remembered, "Oh my god I can eat these gorgeous things!" They are sitting in the fridge for desert later and snacking.

I hope I don't sound like I am gloating it's just that I was so miserable for so long and now it's like an Iron cuff around my throat has finally been unlocked and thrown out for good. Thinking about it makes me emotional. I read a John Steinbeck quote recently: "What good is warmth without cold to give it sweetness." What more can I say?" For me, in this moment, life is good.

-Mary Ann

Mary Ann, I too am very sorry for your band loss. I'm glad your home and on your way to a full healthy recovery. Hugs !!