Lap Band Removal

I had a lap-band put in years ago by a *** in the San Fran area (Burlingame). I complained from day one that it didn't seem to work and later that it hurt. Most of the time they just advised it was fine, normal, but they did two UGI and still advised me it was fine. When they put in any fill I could not swallow and of course it never limited my eating. After ten years I finally changed medical plans and went to a new doctor. They found that the lap-band was placed way too high and if filled water/food stopped in my esophagus, and recommended fixing it. I asked to have it removed. After a few issues with not being able to throw up because of the band with a flu and food poisoning, I have had enough of this thing. So this week they removed it, also found it was not placed correctly, not stitched in, and parts had come off which caused hernias etc. Part of the implant was found laying on my liver. I am so thankful I kept pushing to find out what was wrong. Not all lap-bands have this issue obviously but the place I went to obviously was not a advocate for patients. Once I am healed I hope to have a bypass and finally obtain and practice what I have long awaited. Wanted to tell the story so others who are bullied by their medical practitioners know that this kind of thing can be very serious.

Love the new surgeon and have complete confidence in her skill. I didn't check that before, and of course with my *** I really did not have options.