Just wanted to say goodbye to this part of my life. I unfortunately lost my band on July 14,2008 after having it for only 7 months. I was on vacation when it slipped and after 4 horrible days of throwing up and pain and visiting 3 different hospitals to get better, Dr DelaTorre removed it at the hospital in Columbia MO. Unfortunately I also aspirated on the OR table and wound up in ICU for 4 days and almost on the ventilator. Thank God I didn't but it was rough! I missed my whole vacation with my family by being in the hospital instead.

I would love to have the band again but I am very scared of any surgery again because of the fear of aspirating again. I have gained almost 10lbs since removal 2 months ago and I am very scared of gaining my 60 lbs back that I lost already. I am watching the scale everyday but my will power isn't that good that's why the lap band was so wonderful for me!

I believe my band slipped because when I was on vacation and I threw up because of eating to fast or not chewing well enough I was able to sit on the side of the tub and bend in half and throw up in the toilet which was very comfortable but I think it put too much pressure on my stomach and that is why it slipped. At home if I got sick I only could lean over from a standing position because my tub has slidining doors on it. I wish I would have known this before and maybe I would still have the band and be losing instead of gaining!

Good Luck to everyone and remember--don't sit down to throw up!

Good Bye,

Lisamarie

I'm so sorry to hear this Lisamarie! You have come so far .. . and done such a wonderful job! I hope you feel better soon . . . and try to keep all you've done as a positive .. . and while dieting is NO fun . . . following the lapband rules can still help I would think . . . my thoughts are with you!

Hugs

Chris

LisaMarie, I lost my band after having it eight months. I have been able to maintain my weight since the band was removed one month ago, but my band never really worked properly from the beginning. I lost 45 pounds after being banded. Not as much as I hoped but I am ok with it. ( what choice do I have).

I have been able to maintain my weight loss mostly because I have been walking. I would suggest you try that. I walk either 3.5 or 5 miles anywhere from 3 to 6 days a week. I walk on a walking path about a 12 min drive from my house. If you are not doing any regular exercise program then it could help you from gaining more by joining a gym , walking or you can purchase an exercise DVD for home use.

Even though I have lost my band I stick around the forum, mostly with my November group of bandsters. I enjoy the support they offer and we are still all trying to lose more weight, so we still have that in common. I have even joined a Halloween weight loss challenge they are having. I made a smaller goal than most of them, but so what. If I lose a few pounds ( or even if I just don't gain any) then it's still good! At least I am surrounded by people trying to eat healthy while I'm on the forum.

There are threads on the forum for "life after the band" or people struggling" that you might want to consider staying with.

Good Luck!

I am so sorry to hear about your problems with the band. Can I ask you a question, though? How did you know the band had slipped?

Take care.

Gina

Lisamarie,

I am so sorry to hear what you went through all of this and I wish good luck. My heart goes out to you. I was just banded on the 16th.

Thanks for your support and you'll be happy to know that I was rebanded on the 19th of Nov, 2008 and it is very different from the first. I do not have the immediate restriction that I did with the first but it is good because I think I can live the rest of my life with this one because with the old one I wasn't sure how I would stop losing once I got to my goal. This one is definitely taking alot longer to find my sweet spot and I am not losing yet but I do think I will within the next couple of fills!!!

Good luck to you, I truely believe in the band!!!!!