Hello:

I am new here. I had the band put in in June 2003 in Michigan by Dr. Mark Pleatman......the fills were never that comfortable to me (my sister called the LapBand "forced bulimia," as all I was ever doing was PBing after one-too-many (but really few) bites!). To make a long story, short, I lost about 50 pounds in that first year of about 90-100 that I wanted to lose, or roughly half. About 15 months after I had the procedure, I wanted to take a "break" from all of the golfball-feeling discomfort after eating anything other than soft foods, so I had a complete unfill. Around that same time, I also accepted a position doing home transcription in which I get NO EXERCISE in the course of my day....and I have now put on approximately 18 pounds from my all-time LapBand low.

I am very tired of the LapBand and did not understand when I had it done, as my doctor now tells me, that he has found that most people only lose about half the weight they wanted to after having the LapBand. I am seriously considering having it removed, because....call me silly, I dream of being able to eat HEALTHILY again, if only given the chance.... of being able to eat a whole piece of healthy Protein, be it steak, chicken, etc. and vegetables, without my food being doused with grease in order to go down through the band and not "fight" it, only to have me PB the food later, as is the case now. I want to try to lose this last 50 pounds by just being ABLE to eat right, which I am unable to at the moment, even with it being unfilled...there is still a restriction there that I can still definitely feel with certain foods. I am tired of sticking to all liquidy, greasy foods in the name of LapBand compatibility, and I don't think that this is the healthiest way for me to go. I want the opportunity now to prove I can do the rest on my own.

Trouble is, I have switched insurance carriers since I had the procedure four years ago, and the new carrier won't cover anything related to morbid obesity procedures (but they'll cover sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, etc.....don't GET me started!). I have already talked it over with my Lapband doctor in the past, and through an arrangement for self-pay patients with the hospital, it would cost approximately $5000 for everything to have it removed once and for all. Considering I initially had to pay a $2000 one -year "program fee" with my doctor for fills, nutritional support, etc. after I first had it put in and also $1000 or so for a plan deductible when I had my procedure, the 50 pounds I initially lost will end up having cost me more than $8000, with extra in gas to get to my doctor out of town for each visit. Ugh!

Although my doctor says it's not so, I also can't help but think that the longer the band stays around the stomach, the more the chance for problems or worse adhesions down the road. There is this little voice in the back of my mind saying, "Get it Out! Get it Out!"

Am I crazy for even thinking of paying this $5000 to have it taken out?

My friend has gained a lot of weight on Topamax. I don't think that losing weight is necessarily a permanent side effect.

I wonder why WasABubblebutt hasn't chimed in on this thread. At one time she was thinking of having her band removed. Her doctor found a medication that stopped all the pbing. She still can't tolerate very much of a fill, but this medication has helped her eat a more normal diet.

I think you've made your mind up to have it removed. It sounds like you've had a bad experience all the way around, usually that's not the case. Alot of us have small issues but not enough to have it removed. The $5,000 to have it removed is a small price for piece of mind and health. You tried it and it didn't work for you, thank goodness it works and is a blessing for the masses who follow the rules of eating properly and doing what it takes on a day to day basic to be successful. The band is only a tool that can help us lose weight, not a magic cure. It's not something that we are suppose to get unfilled just because we want to eat again. I've read all the replies to your post, some great and helpful replies, yet you come back so negative on your replies. Get the band removed and be done with it.

Hi All...

I thought I'd do a short update on my successful band removal yesterday. Everything went well and I was able to come home late in the afternoon. I'm feeling so much better now that the band is gone. Here is something to keep an eye on. The surgeon who removed it found that it had been causing scar tissue to build up on my liver. This would not have been caught had I not made the wise decision to have it removed. Apparently, the band had been rubbing against my liver, thus causing the scar tissue. I have no idea how much damage was done but will certainly be following up on this with my doctor. So...after 1.5 years of PBing and vomiting, I now have liver damage. Boy, I am so glad to be free of this thing. If I could share one bit of advice, it would be to encourage those of you, whether successful or unsuccessful with the band, to please have yourself checked out for possible complications that you may not even be aware of, which could be doing significant physical damage. As in my previous reply, I plan to remain on my organic, whole foods regime, continue to increase my exercise at a reasonable rate, and enjoy the steady weight loss I am experiencing without the nasty side effects of the band. I wish you all health and success. God bless.

I had my surgery a couple years ago and have lost tons of weight. Now my port is protruding from my abdomen. I want someone to tell me what is involved in lapband removal and how much cutting is involved.

Tthnks

hardylj:help:

I had my surgery a couple years ago and have lost tons of weight. Now my port is protruding from my abdomen. I want someone to tell me what is involved in lapband removal and how much cutting is involved.

Tthnks

hardylj:help:

You don't have to get the band removed to fix the port if that's all that bothers you. Talk to your doc about moving it and getting a low-profile port installed. It's relatively minor work compared to removing the band itself.

My opinion would be to go for band removal. The surgeon will use the same five points of entry to remove it as when you were banded. This is not major/scary surgery and you will be better off with it out of your system. You will then never have to be plagued with complications,erosion or other possible damage because it simply won't be there. Good luck. God bless.

I had my surgery a couple years ago and have lost tons of weight. Now my port is protruding from my abdomen. I want someone to tell me what is involved in lapband removal and how much cutting is involved.

Tthnks

hardylj:help:

I take it you have lost some weight? If so, please keep in mind that it is very likely that you will regain the weight lost if you remove the band.

If it is just the port that is bothering you, consider a port replacement using a low profile port, or having it moved to a different spot.

Well, I'm three weeks out from having my Lapband removed. My scars have all healed. I'm thrilled to have my whole stomach back again and to be able to eat, say, a roll before anything else on my plate and to drink along WITH my food.....but I can't STAND the full-stomach feeling I get if I eat too much at one sitting--I avoid that at all costs. The Topamax I'm taking still has me on a decreased-appetite ride that makes me shun food after a few bites, for the most part.

After three weeks with the Lapband out, I have lost 4 more pounds. I am now one pound beneath my lowest weight of having the Lapband......and I haven't PB'd in SO long!

Still happy with my choice so far. :clap2:

I know how you feel! I had my band in 5-06 and just had it removed 11-1-07. I feel like a different person. I can eat a piece of chicken without running to the bathroom. I can eat a piece of toast without having to soak it in milk. My band was giving me problems since about 5 months post op. It got so bad that my 3 year old would look at me and say Moms food is stuck she has to go throw up. It was a horrible experience. I did not loose weight and I think that is because I ate whatever I could keep down which happened to be high fat and high carb foods. The surgeon that removed my band said that the band had started to erode into my stomach but since I was vomiting all the time the band had actually slipped up and was restricting my esophogus. NICE! Needless to say I am lucky to have had such an INCREDIBLE surgeon. Also, I feel SO much better already. In fact today I ate grilled chicken for the first time in well over a year! My advice to you is have the band removed! If your having these feelings and thoughts it is for a reason. Don't chance your long term health, it just is not worth it!

BEST of luck to you!

Hi Gals...

I had my band removed on Nov 5th and, although still a bit sore, am so happy to have it gone. I can only echo the relief of no longer having to vomit at any given time and for any given bite of anything. To have gone a full week without throwing up seems to be such a blessing. I totally disagree with the naysayers who are predicting weight gain for those of us who have the band removed. I don't understand why someone would want to plant those kinds of negative seeds. I believe we can do it, gals...and do it in a healthier, less physically risky way. I wish you God's best. Again, do not accept the prophecies of doom. We can, and will get rid of this excess weight. Seek out whatever support works for you and do not fear or underestimate your ability to create a healthy nutritional lifestyle.

Hi Gals...

I had my band removed on Nov 5th and, although still a bit sore, am so happy to have it gone. I can only echo the relief of no longer having to vomit at any given time and for any given bite of anything. To have gone a full week without throwing up seems to be such a blessing. I totally disagree with the naysayers who are predicting weight gain for those of us who have the band removed. I don't understnd why someone would want to plant those kinds of negative seeds. I believe we can do it, gals...and do it in a healthier, less physically risky way. I wish you God's best. Again, do not accept the prophecies of doom. We can, and will get rid of this excess weight. Seek out whatever support works for you and do not fear or underestimate your ability to create a healthy nutritional lifestyle.

Hi Scout,

I had my band removed on Friday, Nov. 9th. I had to have an emerg surgery from slippage - second one in the 6 months I had my band. Seems like everytime I would get a fill, it would close up on me and slip. This last time was really bad though.

I will say that I am actually looking forward to my journey without the band! I will admit, I love to eat. But I have lost 130 lbs before on WW, I will use WW again to help me get to my goal weight!

As long as you have faith in yourself, it can be done! Don't listen to others, only listen to yourself!

Have a great one! :eek:

How does the band slip of it's sutured to hold it down? I was banded on 10-03-07. I have lost 28 lbs. But I follow everything to the T. This is not a miracle cure. What has to change is one's attitude towards food. I am lucky not to have to be morbidly overweight. My BMI was only 35. I started at 210. I'm 5'6 and now I'm at 182. My goal is 150. I am very happy and I haven't had any problems so far. I wish it could be this way for everyone. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do. As for all the other bandsters....keep up the good work!

Hey girl! I am feeling your pain. I thought I wanted to convert to gastric bypass, but, I am real scared of that. However, I do want this "band" out of me. I feel like it is my enemy. I am sick and tired of this. I refuse to go to the doctor who originally banded me bc he is such a jerk. I don't know what to do. I am considering going to a general surgeon and seeing if he will take it out for me. I have not been successful on this band journey, but CONGRATS to those who have and Good Luck to those who are starting their journey.

Hello - I'm scheduled for surgery 11/28th and am really nervous about not being able to eat once banded ... I hear of folks getting food stuck and having to go to the ER. Just how small do you really have to chew your food to get it to go through the band? How do you know when the food is stuck?

How do you know when the food is stuck?

Oh, you'll know! :scared: It's rare to get so stuck that you have to go to the ER. Usually a good cough brings the food back up (PB) and you just take it easy for awhile with liquids, etc.

My doctor suggests cutting food into "M & M-sized pieces" and then chewing and chewing until it's gone. I'm not restricted that much yet (after 11 fills) but I do get stuck now and then if I'm not careful with chicken and steak.

Congrats on your surgery date! You'll do great. Good luck!