Hello. I have had my band 3 years. I have lost 125 lbs. I am under my goal weight. I have been for quite some time. I feel great and I look great. Actually I think i could stand to gain about 10 obs and look a little better. I never thought I would be saying that.

The last 6 months I have been unable to eat properly. It started with GERD and has progressed to where I cannot even consume liquids. I had only 1 fill right after my surgery, 1cc. My surgery was in another state. Today I had an upper Gi and nothing, not even one drop, went through at all. The PA at the surgeons office took out the 1 cc that was in there. Fluid is going through now but barely. He is recommending removal of the band. For now I am on Clear Liquids only. I am scared out of my wits and I don't know what to do.

If I have to have my badn remmoved than that is all there is to it. There really isn't anything I can do about it. What will happen to me? I will be honest with you- it took me about 4 years to pack on that 125 lbs. How long will it take to come back or can I fight it? What is the recovery like?

Anyone who has had the experience of having their band removed and has lived to tell the tale I would love to hear from you, I really need the support right now.

czeiber@vioclehighvalley.com

I'm sorry you are faced with losing your band. I lost mine after only 8 months. I've been struggling ever since. I'm praying my insurance will cover it again. The removal was not bad at all. It was almost the same as the placement but the incisions were smaller. I wish you luck.

Corinna,

I hope you start to feel better soon. I added your AIM to my buddy list. Mine is MysticTaeza.

*hugs*

I'm glad you're safely bandless and on the road to recovery. I'm sorry for your band loss but keep up the fight with me. I'm struggling with food again but every day is a fresh start. Today I ate a banana, dried apricots and walnuts for breakfast. I'll try to eat a solid, heathy lunch and a veggy based dinner. Maybe we can do this together?

now that you have reached your goal weight, keeping the weight off will not be as difficult. I highly doubt that you will gain all your weight back, you might not gain any back, with careful dietary planning (your metabolism might need to be worked on but thats not too difficult) and exercise.

Good luck, best wishes

In my experience, exercise is the most powerful tool ever in preventing weight gain. I think it has more value in preventing weight gain than it does in losing weight.

I hope you're better really quickly.

Corrinasue, I am fairly new to the banded world myself and have a long way to go. I just wanted to let you know that your weight loss is an inspiration to me, just as your recent struggle is an important reminder of what to watch for. Please come here and update us and vent as needed.

Hope you're back to a healthy eating pattern and appropriate weight soon.