I am now on the same boat as many of you....I am waiting for this thing to come out of me. I had my band done in August 2009...worked great the first year and lost about 60 lbs...then the weight loss stopped, my port started hurting me, I couldn't find the right spot where I would either throw up everything or eat everything. In August 2012, I started getting this sharp pain in my port, and then my port actually broke my skin and I was able to see it...I went to see my doctor and they were amazed and started taking pictures. I went into Emergency surgery and had my port removed and placed somewhere else.

Now I am gaining weight, my new port is hurting, and I have horrible heartburn/acid reflux. Yesterday I went to see about revision with Dr. Roslin in NY. He sent me to get an upper GI on the spot...and the results are...my band has slipped!!! What else can go wrong?? He said the band was too tight even though I could eat all I want, but the tightness was what was causing the acid reflux. As soon as he removed all the liquid from my band...the acid reflux went away. His suggestion was to wait 3 weeks, and do another upper GI to see what the shape of my stomach was then. Once he sees what damage was done, by the band he will determine if he can do removal of the band and the sleeve in one surgery....I am praying to GOD that he can do everything at one. I am a little concerned about my insurance and what the process is to have the surgery covered.

Glad to hear you got your surgery DebH! Hope you have a speedy recovery ...thanks for sharing your story

I'm currently in mexico after a revision on 3/21. Before I came here my insurance said they would pay for a band removal but not a new surgery. This is when i decided i wanted to just do it I'm Mexico. Everything i researched sounded great for me.

My surgery went well. I was nauseas for two days post op which i was told is common from band patients.

When i mentioned to my surgeon that my insurance would covered the band they said they would give me paperwork to submit to my insurance for reimbursement! Wow! I didn't even know that would be possible from Mexico. I'm going to cross my fingers that i get some money back.

I have no regrets either way.

I've been banded for 9 years and I can't wait until April 1st to get it out! My I have been unfilled for 7 years as my stomach wouldn't tolerate them and my port site always hurts! I am having my revision done in Mexico as my insurance will not cover a revision to the sleeve. I had to refinance my house to pay for it but I think it will be worth every dollar I pay to get rid of this band and have a tool I can actually work with!

I had band removal surgery this past Tuesday and am looking forward to being sleeved sometime in the next 6 months. I have a follow up appointment this Wednesday & will be able to ask my surgeon if there were any complications with the band. I was still pretty groggy when checked in with me in the recovery room. I am very glad to have it out of me - it really feels like I can breath easier. I wish you all the best and easiest of recoveries, I am certain the sleeve will be a much better tool for all of us. If you haven't already checked out other websites I read a really great article today in Obesity Help (obesityhelp.com) about keeping the tool of surgery in proper perspective, titled "Surgery is Forever-ever?"

I'm getting revision in one op in a month! Can't wait. Bands shouldn't be put in anymore. They suck!

Hello, I had the BAND placed 12/2009 and now it's coming OUT May 22nd and they are doing the sleeve at the same time. I think we all get to the place where our desires are overtaken by what is REAL and what MUST be done. blessings everyone, Karen