No longer banded

[Alli in StL 23]

I honestly can’t remember the last time I posted to this board, but I wanted to share my story. I was banded 9/7/11. It worked great for me for the first few years. I lost a total of 120 pounds. Then it stopped working so great. I couldn’t keep things down and so we took all the Fluid out with the assumption that we would try to slowly fill it back up. Unfortunately, my port flipped and was only attached by one prong. Even though I didn’t have any fluid in my band, it was a gamble if I could keep down meaningful Protein. I resorted to things that would go down easily and as a result, gained back 95 pounds. My instance at the time would not pay for any bariatric procedures and so removal was not an options. I have since changed jobs but I am so busy I just went on with life. Fast forward to about 8 weeks ago and things suddenly felt “different “. I had acid reflux for the first time ever, sometimes I couldn’t keep Water down and I just had this heavy feeling where my band was. I went to a surgeon who said it needed to come out and he scheduled me very quickly. I had it removed yesterday and the scariest part about the whole thing is that the tubing had become attached to my liver. He had to cut it off and cauterize it. He said it looks good considering, but it has me freaked out. I am in so much pain today but so happy it is gone. I ate some lunch meat with cheese and a touch of honey mustard today and did not have any issues for the first time in years.

[Sandra Nuelken 419]

6 hours ago, Alli in StL said:

I honestly can’t remember the last time I posted to this board, but I wanted to share my story. I was banded 9/7/11. It worked great for me for the first few years. I lost a total of 120 pounds. Then it stopped working so great. I couldn’t keep things down and so we took all the Fluid out with the assumption that we would try to slowly fill it back up. Unfortunately, my port flipped and was only attached by one prong. Even though I didn’t have any Fluid in my band, it was a gamble if I could keep down meaningful Protein. I resorted to things that would go down easily and as a result, gained back 95 pounds. My instance at the time would not pay for any bariatric procedures and so removal was not an options. I have since changed jobs but I am so busy I just went on with life. Fast forward to about 8 weeks ago and things suddenly felt “different “. I had acid reflux for the first time ever, sometimes I couldn’t keep Water down and I just had this heavy feeling where my band was. I went to a surgeon who said it needed to come out and he scheduled me very quickly. I had it removed yesterday and the scariest part about the whole thing is that the tubing had become attached to my liver. He had to cut it off and cauterize it. He said it looks good considering, but it has me freaked out. I am in so much pain today but so happy it is gone. I ate some lunch meat with cheese and a touch of honey mustard today and did not have any issues for the first time in years.

I was banded in 2009 and like you lost 120 pounds with the band and gained about 25 back. I was happy but as time went on I was getting sick on some foods, had dizzy spells, started gaining. I had fluids out then slowly put back. The tubing was hitting my venous nerve and caused heart issues. I had the thing removed and in July got the sleeve. I am so happy to be losing weight again. My knees are getting better and I am happier. I knew once the band was removed I needed to take another course as I was gaining and feeling bad.

[Alli in StL 23]

Wow. I should not have typed that while I was on pain meds. 😂🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[soccermonster31 8]

@Alli in StL I was banded one month after you and am now facing a similar decision to have the band removed due to complications from the band. How was the removal surgery and recovery? It looks like you are in STL, which is also where I am located. Which surgeon did you use for removal?

[Sandra Nuelken 419]

On 1/9/2020 at 10:40 AM, soccermonster31 said:

@Alli in StL I was banded one month after you and am now facing a similar decision to have the band removed due to complications from the band. How was the removal surgery and recovery? It looks like you are in STL, which is also where I am located. Which surgeon did you use for removal?

Removal was easy peasy, I went home the same day. The only tender spot was where the port was attached. Then I waited a bit and it took 4 months for Medicare approval to have the sleeve done. It was done July 30, 2019, and I've lost about 70 pounds and I love it compared to the band. No adjustments, just work the program which is similar to the band. I am so thrilled that it is gone and I'm back to the weight I was when I was successful with it. Don't hesitate, move on with good health and don't look back. My doctor apologized for my issues and said the band was the gold standard at the time, but I'll be happy with this surgery and I am. Good luck on your journey.