I had my lap band removed two days ago after having it in for 2 years. I intially lost 20 pounds and then went on the fill/unfill roller coaster and eventually unfilled about 6 months post surgery because could never get the sweet spot. Because I was unfilled, I over induldged (which is easy to do) and PB'ing was a part of everyday life for me. I spoke to my original surgeon and a new surgeon about getting it out - insurance denied the removal. Months later my port site started hurting and the pain got worse, visited dr on Tuesday and he said that he can file an appeal. By Friday (11/16) I couldn't stand it and went to the ER. He did an emergency removal and said I had a lot of scar tissue. He gave me a big waist band type thing to wear while walking and Lortab for pain (which has worked good). I had a lot of pain from the intubation tube (apparently I'm a fighter) but that has subsided somewhat. I've eaten scrambled eggs, cream of wheat and milk. Kept it bland and soft as per instructions. I was given carafate to prevent ulcers and have experienced constipation. All in all I'm very pleased with the removal and am looking forward to a life without that band in me. My DH was worried I will start over eating, which I honestly don't think that's a problem. One thing that did change while banded was I became a vegetarian, so when I indulge it's on the good stuff. If anyone has any words of wisdom after being debanded and liking it. Please let me know.

Thanks for letting me share.

Did Your Ins Pay For It? I Want Mine Out Only Had It For A Very Short Preiod Of Time. I Cant Take The Pain, Any Ideas How I Can Talk My Doc Into Takeing The Band Out.i So Wish I Gave This More Thought.thanks

I dont have insurance, I am self pay.

I just insisted. I called 2x a week. I cried alot to them. I threatened to go to mexico to have it removed. I just kept pushing. Tell them you hate it, tell them it hurts. My original surgery doctor tried telling me that I was just a bad band eater, and if i eat right it would stop hurting. I switched doctors and the doctor that took it out was great. He understood that its not for everyone. And he never told me I was crazy. I hated it every day. I am so happy now.......

Like everyone else has said, this is all too familiar. I was banded in 2005 and recently have had the worst problems. The problem is that I was the first person my doctor banded so my problems are new to him. Long story short, I have had reflux, back pain, nausea, and times when i could eat nothing but ice cream. Luckily I hadn't gained weight. I had a two week period when i could eat virtually nothing. I lost 7 pounds during that time. Anyway, my doctor finally decided to unfill me totally and i felt immediate relief. So much relief that I started eating and haven't stopped! I try so hard but when I had my band filled I was a "grazer" i nibbled constantly throughout the day. Now i find it so hard to stop. Unlike most of you, i can eat anything and everything so i am trying all of those things that I have missed the last few years. I have gained 10 pounds back in two weeks. I HAVE TO STOP EATING. I am so desperate i am making an appt to have a fill ( a small one). The doctor wanted me to wait "a couple of months", I will give him one month, that is all.

I am planning on having my band removed in May. I have had it three years and its JUST NOT working for me. I was wondering if the removal is anything like the surgery when they placed it. I am so sick of throwing up i could SCREAM, and after my bout in the hospital in Feb..im even more sure I cant go on like this.

Reading your post has helped me. I plan to have my removed in May . It has been a nightmare....

I am happy for you.

It will be a great thing.

Just remember, You will be able to eat alot again.

Go get it out of your system and then get right back on track.

Otherwise you will be kicking yourself in the but..

Believe me, I did. But I am back to being good...

Can those of you who have had your band removed pls share with me the name of the surgeon you used? My band was put in almost 3 years ago and, like many of you, I had success losing weight and maintaining it for quite a while but for the last year feel like I'm living with an eating disorder! I gotta get this thing removed. My original surgeon is not an option. I want someone who is experienced with removals -- East Coast, Midwest, Southeast but heck I'll go anywhere! Also, what was the surgery/recovery like? I had a very easy time with surgery -- in the hospital one night and off work just a couple of days. Thank you for any help you can provide!!

My doctor is Dr. Chebli in Seattle.

Sx was a breeze.

In at 6am home by noon.

Soft foods for a couple days. Regular food in a week.

The only thing was the port site was very sore for one week.

Then it was irratating for about 3 weeks.

I started working out again at 1 month.

Good Luck.

Hello everyone, thank you for posting your beginning hopes, dreams and successes and then for some, your disappointments. I am not banded but have thought seriously about it. I've only just talked to my family Dr. yesterday.

I am one of those who did something and then decided to fix it. I had a huge lower belly tattoo - hip to hip and belly button to hairline, several hours and many $$$ invested, it was ok but I wasn't inlove, it looked like a black blob in cetrtain photos. A couple years later I found a Dr. who does lazer removal. DAM !!!and double DAM!!! I thought the tattooing hurt, lazering was 4 times worse. But in the end I'm glad that I was able to fix my issue too - many sessions and $$$ and pain later. I know this has nothing to do with lapbands but it has everything to do with choices, if your lap band isn't working for you and it's putting your health at risk?, then find a Dr. who will remove it. I'm diabetic and have my blood work done every 3 months (10 vials) the full gamit, and in the last year my Dr. is blown away at how healthy I am on the inside tho I'm 100lbs overweight. Maybe?...and this is only Maybe?..we as a North American culture should stop trying to live up to the fashion media markets and maybe, just maybe look within and see if our inner health is doing fine, I'm not talking about mental health, I'm talking about blood work, a full physical, find out how healthy we are in the inside. If your insides are within the so-called healthy brackets?....then maybe we should be happy with that and move on and learn to love our outer shells even if we never become runway models. This has been something I've come to consider as a new relastionship with myself and much self-reflection, what makes me tick, why do I respond the way I do with food and life.

I apollogize if I steped on anyones toes or came across as self important or what ever words that might suit. Far from it, I'm just thankful there are choices with lapbands, where as bypass and that sleeve thing are not reversable. Thank you again for your honest postings. I wish you all good health and happiness in what ever happens. As for myself I will keep trying I think the old fashioned way :shades_smile: Something to be said about a wonderful "proper portion sized" prime rib dinner.

thank you again

thea