I had my band for almost 11 months. I had peritonitis, undiagnoised for almost too long. In hospital for a week after removal, and in bed at home for 4 weeks after. It took me 4 more weeks to regain strength and return to somewhat normal for me.

I have so many mixed emotions now, mourning my band, mad at my Doc, emotional eating and rebound weight gain. Emotionally out of control with food. I don't feel I fit in in any weight loss group. Because no one understand the mourning part. I had gotten acustom to its presents and was losing slowly but steady. Now since its removal I have gained 20 lbs in 4 months. Any support out there?

Linda

Tennessee

Of course there is support here. I'm so sorry for what happened to you and I understand the mourning. Are you eating to comfort yourself? I'm sure that's what I would do because I still haven't learned better ways to comfort myself. Right now I'm depressed because it just keeps snowing and we are snowed in with bored kids and dogs. All I want to do is eat.

I wasn't finished but had to quit for a minute. I wanted to say that you DO fit in with this group. We have people with all kinds of problems. Not too many people who are doing great post on a regular basis. People tend to post more when they are having trouble. It doesn't matter if you have a band now or not. You are still a bandster.

I am so sorry you lost your band. We are all here for you.

Maybe you can still try to eat like a bandster. Protein first, then veggies and carbs. I don't know if I could do it but maybe it will work. Protein really does stick with you longer, band or no band. Try not to focus on the band being gone and just try to eat heathier foods.

I wish you the very best.

I'm sorry for the loss of your band. Will you be able to have another band sometime in the future? Find positive ways to deal with your emotions like journalling, going for walks, talking to friends and LBT of course! Keep up with the healthy habits and exercise you have started in the past year.

I know how hard it is to have so much vested in something and then have it go away. I have not lost my band but I did lose my port 2 weeks after being banded so I have no fill at all. I was in the hospital for a week and then recovery of 6 weeks. I will not be able to have the port put back in for another couple of months.

The comfort eating is something I have to fight hard against everyday. I have really tried hard to stick to a high protien low fat diet. I keep my mind set that I still have restriction and that I can not go backwards. I have managed to lose 29 lbs since being banded in November not a huge accomplishment when I see what others have lost during the same timeframe but just reading all the sucess stories on here keep my motivated to keep moving forward.

Good Luck!

L.

I just had my band removed 2 weeks ago because of erosion. I had the band about 4 years and 2 of the years had been having all kind of problems that could not be diagnosed. My PCP kept saying it was the band because he couldn't find anything and the lapband doctor kept saying it wasn't. I won't digress into all that, but I am glad it is gone and have NO regrets of having it done in the first place. It's the best thing I could have ever done and just have to accept that I unfortunately experienced one of the risks of it.

Though my WL journey is not yet over, if it was not for the band, I would not have under control to the point where I feel I can handle it. Yeah, I'm scared since I lost 1/2 of my weight (100 lbs) and fear putting it back on, but I'm letting that fear be my motivation.

I, too, mourn the loss of the band, but have to stay focused on the positive. Though you have gained 40 lbs in a short time, just know that it will come off quickly if you start now. I encourage you to maintain drinking of Protein drinks (that should curb your appetite) and have lots of sugar free popsicles and other treats on hand for those comfort needs. We all knew that the band was not the "cure" but the aid. You did the hard work while you had the band...just continue with it.

My doctor has offered continued weight loss support which I think is great. Have you discussed this with your doctor?