I had my lap band in 2008 i have lost close to 70 pounds from 236 to 160 presently. I will go months and go back and forth on the same 5 pounds, then over the past 2 years began dropping more with added exercise. Very happy with the loss. Will be having a tummy tuck in January, should I have the lap band removed? Side effects so far are occassional vomiting if I just eat too fast or have a very tough piece of meat. Also salads except finely chopped are out. Happy with the results and the progress.

Appointment this Friday with Dr. whom ddi my surgery to discuss this. Dr, Nyguen, UCI Medical Center, Orange , Calif.

Edited December 3, 201411 yr by Marykbell

Personally, I wouldn't remove it. I would have a defill

Why have it removed? It has worked well for you and could continue to work well for you. If you want to eat "normally," just have the saline removed. Then if you need to lose again, have saline put back in.

Isn't that one of the reasons we had lap banding done? To have control?

I'm a little confused.

Are you asking:

Because you're having plastic surgery, should you remove the band?

Or because you're feeling the restriction?

Being a vet, banded in '08, you know dry meats and big chunks of salad greens are challenging to get in. Are you still chewing to mush? sometimes if I eat in a rush or forget to chew until mush (mindless eating as opposed to mindful eating), I get regurge.

Other times, I feel more restricted for some unknown reason but it's not constant. More restricted mornings, for me.

Seems like a strange question to me, esp. for a vet who hasn't mentioned any of the typical complications that make people seriously consider removing the band. Maybe I'm mis-reading your post?

Are you concerned your port will show post PS?