Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi all,

Today marks 5 months since I had an emergency operation to remove my lap-band due to over-restriction resulting in a pouch dilation. I pleaded with my surgeon not to take it out. When they put me under I still thought they were just going to re-adjust it. When I woke I was told it was removed. I vomited and cried with the shock. My recovery was incredibly slow and far more painful than the initial operation to have it put in.

Since that time I have been working hard not to gain any weight. Exercising, watching my intake etc, but just talking about it gets me upset. My surgeon and the clinic gave me no support and denied all responsibility, blaming it on me. I want to reach out to other people in sililar situations to discuss coping mechanisms and look on our experiences together with a positive edge. It has been a real challenge for me and I'm sure I'm not alone.

I know there have been many great things happened as a result of having a band for 11 months, losing weight, gaining confidence, taking up sports etc, but I still find it hard to 'get over' the horrible experience of having my band taken out against my will.

All advice, stories, and general support are welcomed and appreciated. Thank you

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just had mine removed on Monday without warning as well. I also pleaded with him, Since he no longer places lap bands, I asked for a revision. He said there was too much swelling. I won't have another surgery. I am so worried about weight gain.

Have you been able to keep off any weight gain in these last 5 months? Because if you have that gives me a lot of hope. i will do what I need to do even though I am still feel very sad I don't have my band.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Lanah Hey there! Thank you for commenting and sharing your experience. I know exactly what you have gone through, it's disappointing and scary and I know I certainly felt afraid. I wrote this post back in December and so I've now had my band out for 10 months. Though I haven't been able to keep all the weight off, I initially gained a little slowly (and freaked out about it) but have since stabilized and stopped gaining. Instead of getting obsessive about the scale I've focused more on health and fitness goals; as a result I look and feel really good! People compliment me on my bright skin and vigour, I have found a balance of how much food I really need.

It's something I would have NEVER said a few month ago when I was sad and angry but I wonder now if it had to happen for me to feel this kind of freedom? I don't think I could have travelled with a band like I do now for fear of complications; any WLS can be quite debilitating, especially when one is wearing an internal device which may malfunction at anytime.

I have of course had my ups and downs, and it may be that you gain a bit of weight but that's OKAY because your body if finding where it is most healthy without the device. My advice is don't freak out and do any crash diets (which was tempting for me), try to continue eating as you did with the band, try not to eat late at night, and have confidence that you can do this and live a healthy life without the need of the band. You've come so far and been through so much pain already, there's no limit to what you can do in the future. Ultimately, keep the faith that it will all turn out well. Good luck and feel free to message me if you need some extra support as it's good for me to keep contact with other people in the same situation!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you thank you thank you.

Just what I needed to read.

I just keep reading everyone having revisions; it is scary.

Great job maintaining and getting healthy. You are very motivating to me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am literally sitting in the waiting room at the hospital about to get my band taken out. Your story is very encouraging (besides where they didn't do what you wanted :)). I am so nervous to lose my lapband but I haven't eaten in 12 days. Diet, exercise, and strength from God from this point on!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@CMD1480 Hey! I know that incredibly nervous/ scared feeling you're having. By now I suppose your band will have been taken out. But relish the freedom!! Sure, things are more challenging in terms of self control etc but the band was a tool which helped you to get where you are now, and it was something which eventually was doing more harm than it was good, so now you're better off without it. How've you been doing since the removal? Hope all is well :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×