All my adult life till 40 I weighed 98lbs. At 5'4" My ideal weight was 125. I was banded in 2005 at 250lbs. I tried to tell the Dr.'s I didn't over eat, and they told me the band was the way to go, and I knew I didn't want to give up the foods I loved, just the ability to eat less again. Right after surgery I was in alot of pain, Dr. couldn't understand why and kept me overnight. About 8pm my port flip'd and the pain went away. For at least 4 months I tried to convince the Dr. it wasn't working and finally he revised the port. I went on for months and had fill after fill and nothing. We filled with food, without, sideways, laying down, standing up... In 2009 just as my weight came on, so did it leave. I still do not over eat, have to remind myself to eat, just like when I was 98lbs. Although there is no sense of fullness, I do have bouts of pain when I eat certain foods. It dosn't matter how much I chew.

I am now under 195/lbs, and since I am now 60, my skin does not retract, and does nothing but hang. I am in a size 12 pants and x-lg top. I choose now, to not loose more weight. Don't get me wrong, I still believe in the band and I encourage everyone I talk to and tell them not to use me as an example.

Am I the only person who feels I should not have to pay to have it removed? It never worked, and the pain is always there when I eat. Am I the only one who has this experience?