I got my band in July 2013. I lost 25 lbs during the pre-surgery liquid diet, but only 10 additional lbs in the following year. I had issues with the band once I started getting fills. I had a hard time keeping food down and threw up almost every time I ate solid food. My surgeon then started the fill/unfill game. I went back and forth so many times. While this was going on, I continued to have unrelenting port pain. It was unbearable from the day I had surgery. My surgeon said that I'd get used to it, but I never did. It just hurt all the time. It prevented me from exercising, sleeping, and I couldn't even sit in a chair in the same position for too long. In May 2014, my surgeon basically washed his hands of me. He unfilled my band completely and told me that it had to be removed because my body just "rejected" it. He also told me that he would not recommend another surgery for me. I regained 30 of the 35 lbs I lost.

I got a second opinion and had a revision to gastric bypass 3 weeks ago. My new surgeon told me that he had never seen a lapband port placed in the position mine was in. He said that it was too high and was sitting right on top of my highest rib. He wasn't surprised at all that I had so much pain. Vindication! My surgeon and PCP both doubted my pain when I complained about it ALL THE TIME.

Long story short - I'm thrilled to have the band and port out of me! I'm still on the mushy food phase right now with bypass, but so far so good. I don't have any hunger at all and have to remind myself to eat. That's something that never happened with the band. I'm much happier and more comfortable. The port pain really put a damper on my life for 1.5 years. So glad it's GONE!! Since the day of the revision surgery, I have lost 21 lbs.

I am glad you are having a better experience, I don't understand why your Dr. wouldn't listen to you but I'm glad you found one that did.