I had my 10 year old lapband removed this week. The surgery was successful but the Doctor was amazed at how badly my stomach had been damaged by the band - he repaired it and the leak test was perfect. It was not easy - I am a pretty tough cookie - but this was much worst and painful than what I had expected. I am feeling great 5 days out - but was totally unprepared - having my babies was nothing compared to this!

I have a month off and then start the 3 month program with this surgeon and will then get sleeved then - he said I will need a modified version - but it will be great anyhow. I know without a doubt that getting the sleeve will not be as painful and traumatizing as this removal.

Hope anyone who is going through this with the band gets it fixed quicker than later - I only caught it a a few months ago - but it must have been so gradual that I didn't seem to notice.

Glenda

I am glad to hear you are doing well now. You have a positive attitude that will carry you through this time and something great, being sleeved to look towards in the near future.

you are inspiration for me...I will be having mines removed in June....cant wait for it....keep up posted on your journey.....

Glenda, what was it that went wrong?

I have had my band for not quite two years. It is slipped, and I'll need to have it removed/revised. I'm just working on insurance coverage now before moving forward with something.

I had my 10 year old lapband removed this week. The surgery was successful but the Doctor was amazed at how badly my stomach had been damaged by the band - he repaired it and the leak test was perfect. It was not easy - I am a pretty tough cookie - but this was much worst and painful than what I had expected. I am feeling great 5 days out - but was totally unprepared - having my babies was nothing compared to this!

I have a month off and then start the 3 month program with this surgeon and will then get sleeved then - he said I will need a modified version - but it will be great anyhow. I know without a doubt that getting the sleeve will not be as painful and traumatizing as this removal.

Hope anyone who is going through this with the band gets it fixed quicker than later - I only caught it a a few months ago - but it must have been so gradual that I didn't seem to notice.

Glenda

Hey Glenda, I'm glad to hear all went well with the band removal! I pray your healing continues positively, and I also pray that your sleeve surgery happens soon and a very soon! Xox

My doctor said the same thing about my stomach when he removed my 3 1/2 year band. I can only imagine what damage the band does at 10 years out. I am thankful everyday to have that thing out of me. I am so glad you are doing well. The recovery can be difficult, but just know it gets better every single day. Cheers to starting a new life with the sleeve!

I am sorry to hear you went through so much pain, but happy to hear you are on the road to recovery and have your sleeve to look forward to now. If only those of us who were banded had known about the sleeve first, what a difference it would have made!

Thanks again for the replies. My band was 90 percent eroded. It seemed amazing to me that you barely know that is the case. The body is an amazing thing! The only thing I started to feel was that I could eat more and I was gaining weight rapidly. I would have months of weight watchers and exercising 1 or more hours a day and still keep gaining. So I started to investigate and found out that perhaps I should get it looked at.

Alot of people can have their bands in forever and it doesn't happen, we are all so different.

Today I am feeling better than I have for about 3 years - so even though I said it wasn't an obvious thing - you must adjust to not feeling yourself.