I have had the lap band for 7 years, and after years of misery, I have decided to have this stupid thing removed. I haven't called for an appointment yet. I just started a new job and my insurance will soon kick in. As soon as it does, I am calling to make an appointment with the surgeon who put it in. I have had nothing but problems since day 1. Every single fill I got was too tight. I would be fine the first day, but then the next day I wouldn't be able to keep a thing down, not even Water. I would be in terrible pain, and I always had to go back in to have some Fluid removed. This went on for about the first year, then I decided to not even bother with going back in for another fill since I had so many problems. In 2010, it got to the point where I couldn't keep much down and I was having to drink something hot just to get a few bites of food down. So I went in and had the rest of the fluid taken out. I still have constant problems, even with no fluid. Some days I can eat anything with very little problems. Other days, most days, I can't get a thing down. I constantly slime and burp. It doesn't matter how good I chew or how slow I eat, it is always the same thing. Food always gets stuck. I don't go out to eat with people because I know I will have to run to the bathroom, and it is embarrassing. The only person I will eat with is my husband, and even then it is embarrassing, but he is used to it. I initially lost about 65 pounds. But the only times I would lose was when I had a fill and the band was so tight, I couldn't eat. I would lose about 10 pounds in a week. Then once I had some fluid removed and could eat a little, I lost very little weight. In the last year, my band has gotten tighter, and I have had even more problems. I have gained about 40 pounds back. But it is because most of the time, all I can keep down is junk. I can sit here and eat ice cream all day with no problem, but I can't keep a vegetable down to save my life. My eating habits are now worse than ever, because junk is all I can eat. My cholesterol is high and my triglycerides are through the roof. Plus I have always had constant port pain.

What I'm wondering is, those that have had it removed, did your insurance pay? This is the main reason I have put off getting it out is because I'm not sure if insurance will pay to remove it. Did your surgeon give you a hard time about having it removed? What was recovery like? How long should I take off work? (I am a nurse on a stroke floor). I so wanted this band to work. I have been in denial for a lot of years, but the simple truth is, it isn't working. Thanks for reading.

Does your surgeon know all this? If so, it seems negligent on his part to not have it checked to see if it was placed wrong or slipped.

HI!

I'm sorry to hear how miserable you've been and I totally understand. I had my band removed after 3 years. My surgeon would not help me; he said my problems were not related to the band.

I went to a different surgeon who ordered a barium swallow test that not only showed the band position, but also the actual functioning of the band. He was able to make the argument that it was medically necessary to remove it; my insurance paid.

This different surgeon does a lot of weight loss surgery, including placing bands. He knew right away from hearing my description of what I had been going thru that the band needed to come out -- so, no, he did not give me a hard time.

The removal was much easier for me than the placing. I took around 2 1/2 weeks off work, as I recall. I do clerical work. I think I also did couple of half days when I returned. So I'd suggest taking 3 weeks off - and go back earlier if you feel you can.

The recovery was fine. I rested and took pain meds, but was able to quickly taper off. My surgeon ordered 5 walks a day, which was the best order I've ever had! I'd do 5 ten-minute walks which got me walking 2 miles a day without realizing it! It also helped structure my day so that I wasnt just sitting around and losing my stamina, etc.

I hope this helps! Good for you for realizing you need to do something to resolve the issues you're having. I'm so sorry you've gone thru such misery.

I remember being so excited about my weight loss, but at the same time I was in a lot of discomfort all the time.

My body rejected the band; I didn't have the sliming or food getting stuck, etc.

The decision to get a band was a good one --- and the decision to have it removed was also a good one.

If you decide to have the band removed, please be patient with yourself as you acclimate to not having that tool. My body is still healing after 2 years; give yourself some time

~hiddn

Does your surgeon know all this? If so, it seems negligent on his part to not have it checked to see if it was placed wrong or slipped.

I never saw my surgeon again except once soon after my surgery. I always saw the nurses. They knew the problems I was having then, but they always seemed confident that all I needed was an unfill. I wanted it to work so badly that I never pushed the issue. It is partly my fault, but they also just acted like nothing serious was ever wrong.

HI!

I'm sorry to hear how miserable you've been and I totally understand. I had my band removed after 3 years. My surgeon would not help me; he said my problems were not related to the band.

I went to a different surgeon who ordered a barium swallow test that not only showed the band position, but also the actual functioning of the band. He was able to make the argument that it was medically necessary to remove it; my insurance paid.

This different surgeon does a lot of weight loss surgery, including placing bands. He knew right away from hearing my description of what I had been going thru that the band needed to come out -- so, no, he did not give me a hard time.

The removal was much easier for me than the placing. I took around 2 1/2 weeks off work, as I recall. I do clerical work. I think I also did couple of half days when I returned. So I'd suggest taking 3 weeks off - and go back earlier if you feel you can.

The recovery was fine. I rested and took pain meds, but was able to quickly taper off. My surgeon ordered 5 walks a day, which was the best order I've ever had! I'd do 5 ten-minute walks which got me walking 2 miles a day without realizing it! It also helped structure my day so that I wasnt just sitting around and losing my stamina, etc.

I hope this helps! Good for you for realizing you need to do something to resolve the issues you're having. I'm so sorry you've gone thru such misery.

I remember being so excited about my weight loss, but at the same time I was in a lot of discomfort all the time.

My body rejected the band; I didn't have the sliming or food getting stuck, etc.

The decision to get a band was a good one --- and the decision to have it removed was also a good one.

If you decide to have the band removed, please be patient with yourself as you acclimate to not having that tool. My body is still healing after 2 years; give yourself some time

~hiddn

Thank you for your reply. I was also very excited about the weight loss, even though I always felt miserable. I think my surgeon will be willing to help me. They do a lot of different weight loss surgeries, and I think they also do a lot of band removals. I am just worried about insurance paying. But at this point, I am ready to beg, borrow, or steal to have it out. Did you have another type of weight loss surgery once yours was removed?

Thank you for your reply. I was also very excited about the weight loss, even though I always felt miserable. I think my surgeon will be willing to help me. They do a lot of different weight loss surgeries, and I think they also do a lot of band removals. I am just worried about insurance paying. But at this point, I am ready to beg, borrow, or steal to have it out. Did you have another type of weight loss surgery once yours was removed?

HI!

I'm sorry to hear how miserable you've been and I totally understand. I had my band removed after 3 years. My surgeon would not help me; he said my problems were not related to the band.

I went to a different surgeon who ordered a barium swallow test that not only showed the band position, but also the actual functioning of the band. He was able to make the argument that it was medically necessary to remove it; my insurance paid.

This different surgeon does a lot of weight loss surgery, including placing bands. He knew right away from hearing my description of what I had been going thru that the band needed to come out -- so, no, he did not give me a hard time.

The removal was much easier for me than the placing. I took around 2 1/2 weeks off work, as I recall. I do clerical work. I think I also did couple of half days when I returned. So I'd suggest taking 3 weeks off - and go back earlier if you feel you can.

The recovery was fine. I rested and took pain meds, but was able to quickly taper off. My surgeon ordered 5 walks a day, which was the best order I've ever had! I'd do 5 ten-minute walks which got me walking 2 miles a day without realizing it! It also helped structure my day so that I wasnt just sitting around and losing my stamina, etc.

I hope this helps! Good for you for realizing you need to do something to resolve the issues you're having. I'm so sorry you've gone thru such misery.

I remember being so excited about my weight loss, but at the same time I was in a lot of discomfort all the time.

My body rejected the band; I didn't have the sliming or food getting stuck, etc.

The decision to get a band was a good one --- and the decision to have it removed was also a good one.

If you decide to have the band removed, please be patient with yourself as you acclimate to not having that tool. My body is still healing after 2 years; give yourself some time

~hiddn

You're welcome! No, I didn't have another weightloss surgery. I think if the doctor says it's medically necessary to remove the band, you'll be fine with the insurance company. I don't know what the rules are, but quality of life should count for a lot. As I said, my band was not functioning and was causing major discomfort and insurance paid to have it removed. If there is a question that insurance may not pay, you might ask your surgeon to test the functioning of the band -- not just the positioning. If it's not performing it's function and it's causing illness ---that seems like plenty for an insurance company to approve payment for.

Hang in there! I'm glad you are intervening on your own behalf.

~hiddn

Yea my quality of life is really bad. I don't want another weight loss surgery either. I figure I can keep the weight off and hopefully even lose what I have gained since hopefully I will be able to eat healthy food once it is out. If the weight doesn't stay off, I would honestly just rather be fat than have to ever deal with this again.

Yea my quality of life is really bad. I don't want another weight loss surgery either. I figure I can keep the weight off and hopefully even lose what I have gained since hopefully I will be able to eat healthy food once it is out. If the weight doesn't stay off, I would honestly just rather be fat than have to ever deal with this again.

I know what you mean! I learned a lot about myself going thru the whole thing. I've struggled with my weight since having the band out. At first I lost weight. I don't know what the key is.

I read a beautiful quote you might like:

"And I said to my body, softly, 'I want to be your friend.' It took a long breath. And replied. 'I have been waiting my whole life for this."

I had my band 3 years when it slipped and had to be removed via emergency surgery. I had it taken out on Friday and went back to work on Wednesday. Very easy surgery. I had a new band put in 6 months later and I can't tell I have a band...it is not helping me one bit. I see the doctor next week. I really want this band to work but I just don't know. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Melinda in Florida

I was honestly in tears while doing this search and found this blog. Im so sick of this band! The pain and the embarrassment from the vomiting and burping is just ruining my life. The pain is just so much and Im just at my wits end. We just relocated for a new job and the health benefits havent kicked in but even then doctors are already saying the insurance wont cover the removal.

I honestly feel like Im dying. This just cant be a normal way to live! These terrible chest pains cannot be good for my heart. Ive gone to the ER several times and it seems like the docs there cant get over their weight loss bias. Its the same prior to loosing any weight! They just see an obese person that they think they are to good to help.

I really want my life back. I dont want my husband and kids to keep looking at me with sorrow in their eyes!

I cant stop crying because I just do not know what to do.

I agree with you. This is no way to live. And you are right, the doctors are no help. All they see is a fat person and blame all problems on that. And it is embarrassing. I hate it. I also just started a new job and my insurance hasn't started yet either, so I have no idea if it will cover the removal. Even if it doesn't, I am still having it removed. I don't care if I have to run up all my credit cards or borrow the money. I would rip it out myself right this minute if I could.

I was honestly in tears while doing this search and found this blog. Im so sick of this band! The pain and the embarrassment from the vomiting and burping is just ruining my life. The pain is just so much and Im just at my wits end. We just relocated for a new job and the health benefits havent kicked in but even then doctors are already saying the insurance wont cover the removal.

I honestly feel like Im dying. This just cant be a normal way to live! These terrible chest pains cannot be good for my heart. Ive gone to the ER several times and it seems like the docs there cant get over their weight loss bias. Its the same prior to loosing any weight! They just see an obese person that they think they are to good to help.

I really want my life back. I dont want my husband and kids to keep looking at me with sorrow in their eyes!

I cant stop crying because I just do not know what to do.