Today marks 9 months of having my band out. What a crazy ride it's been. I was banded on December 2nd, 2009. During the surgery, my band doc repaired a hiatal hernia, which I did not know that I had, as well as a hole in my esophogus, also which I did not know I had. Initially, I saw great results with my band. I lost quite a bit, and felt better than I ever had. Then I began having sharp, shooting pains in my back and middle sternum. So bad at times that I couldn't breathe. I thought it was food that had gotten stuck, or gas pains. It would subside after about an hour, and then every couple of months, it would come back. I went to my lap-band doc, who said it sounded like a slip, but when I did the x-ray with barium, the band was in the correct spot. I was so frustrated!

Fast-forward to October of 2010. My husband and I were planning to wait until I had the band in for a year before trying to start a family, but some things are out of your control and in God's hands! I found on October 18th that I was expecting twins. I couldn't believe it. My lap-band surgeon told me that I would be fertile Myrtle after I lost quite a bit of weight, but I honestly thought he was just joking. The pregnancy went quite well, and I didn't have any issues with the pain in my back and sternum area during the pregnancy. I gave birth to a 7 pound 15 ounce boy and a 6 pound, 2 ounce boy full term. I was filled to 5cc's in a 10cc band before pregnancy, and I never had a fill (or unfill) while pregnant.

Shortly after my boys turned one, we took a trip home to Seattle. We spent a month there, and arrived back home on a Saturday afternoon. Monday evening, I went to bed and had the worst back and sternum pain I have ever had. It would not let up. It lasted all Tuesday and by Wednesday, I was calling around to find a local lap-band doctor. I had my surgery in Houston, TX, and by this time, we were living in the Texas panhandle. The doc I got in with that Wednesday afternoon said that my band probably had slipped, and that he would take out all the Fluid, and I should be good to go. He drained my band completely, and I immediately felt better, but by that evening, it was back again. I tried calling my regular doctor, who told me that they couldn't see me that afternoon, but I could go to the clinic. I tried to wait it out. It got worse and worse. By Sunday morning, I was in so much pain I couldn't see straight. I told my husband we HAD to go to the hospital. He took me in and I met the lap-band surgeon who had taken all of the fluid out of my band. They did blood work and an ultrasound. The diagnosis? Pancreatitis caused by gallstones, which were a result of my band. I was devastated. The doctor said it would be best to take the band out, as well as the gallbladder. He said that he no longer does lap-band surgeries (as far as placing them) because there are too many problems.

I have managed to maintain my weight loss for the most part, mostly because I found out in January I am expecting again and have had horrible morning (all-day) sickness. My sister-in-law is a personal trainer, and she is going to be helping me to get into shape once the baby is born.

I don't regret having the band put in, I just wish that I had researched other options. I know everything has risk, but I felt at times like a failure, because I knew that I would most likely bounce right back to my old eating habits. My boys have given me motivation to not do that. It's a daily struggle, but one I am determined to win!

Really...is there any need to be so defensive, so what if she was misinformed. We are all humans and her story wouldn't sway someone to have their band removed. It's a personal choice, just saying. I don't understand why people have to always starting conflicts. If you can't say anything nice, um keep it to yourself. Others really don't care to hear it. Rant over! No need to reply I could care less.

Really...is there any need to be so defensive' date=' so what if she was misinformed. We are all humans and her story wouldn't sway someone to have their band removed. It's a personal choice, just saying. I don't understand why people have to always starting conflicts. If you can't say anything nice, um keep it to yourself. Others really don't care to hear it. Rant over! No need to reply I could care less.[/quote']

You do care are you would not have posted. So what if she was misinformed true, but when you post it on a forum that people come too for answers and guidance. I have a problem

With that. How do you know that her post won't influence some one. You are assuming that. No one come he to start conflict, but its a forum. There will be conflict. I will not stand by and have people give incorrect information and I will not keep my mouth shut. How do you know what people want to hear. If you don't want to hear what I say... Block me, problem solved.

Really...is there any need to be so defensive' date=' so what if she was misinformed. We are all humans and her story wouldn't sway someone to have their band removed. It's a personal choice, just saying. I don't understand why people have to always starting conflicts. If you can't say anything nice, um keep it to yourself. Others really don't care to hear it. Rant over! No need to reply I could care less.[/quote']

This topic died a natural death....can't we just leave it that way.

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that would be nice... i thought it was over also.