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Hi - thought I would share my story. Had a lap band over ten years ago. Worked really well for first 3 years or so but slowly regained almost all of the weight I lost. Two years ago i started on sensible eating plan and virtually no alcohol. The weight dropped off and now I am as low as I ever been and feeling really great. I don't believe that the band has been ' working' over the last several years. I had an infection appear over the port site recently and have been diagnosed with erosion with about half the band in the stomach. I suspect that the band eroded some years ago and it is not a recent event. I will be having the band removed shortly and even though I don't think the band has been working and I have finally got my act together with regards eating sensibly I still harbor an irrational fear that once the band is removed i will regain the weight. Has anyone else got a similar story ?

Had a wound infection which has slowed me down. Coming up 6 weeks post op. No weight gain so happy with that. The surgeon warned me I would need ' Nana' sleeps for a time and he is right. I'm not superwoman. Have been doing a bit of soul searching with the down time. It's all good !

Update. Now over 3 weeks post band removal. Feeling good. Energy level returning to normal. Delighted no weight gain - haven't become a ravenous beast. Determined to maintain current weight.

Dear Tinalpn - couldn't agree with you more ! Had my band in 14 yrs ago and regained most of weight 4-5 Years later. Over two years ago decided enough was enough and just started eating sensibly, no alcohol. The weight fell off. It's been a life style change NOT a diet.. I don't believe the band had been helping for several years and recently discovered it has eroded. Had the band out 4 days ao. Feeling a bit rough but determined NOT to regain any weight.

I had my band out 4 days ago. There was a lot of scar tissue and I bled following the op and had to go back to theatre the next day. I will be going home tomorrow. This has knocked me for six. I plan to have next week off work.

Thought I would you give an update. Saw the surgeon for pre-operative discussion. While I was there I checked the date I the band inserted and got a shock. It isn't ten years ago it's almost 14 yrs. As I have posted previously I have been concerned about gaining weight once the band is removed in a few days so I asked him to remove what fluid was in the band and he got only about 1/2 ml of dirty brown fluid. All the fluid has been absorbed. That gives me confidence that the band hasn't been doing a lot for me and I wont go into a feeding frenzy after removal. Neither of us want another procedure so that's good. I am getting myself emotionally and physically prepared for the removal. I will keep you all posted on how I go.

Thanks BushBaby. You're right. I can do this ! I will do it !

Thanks Cazzy. I hope you are right. It's good to have found this blog so I can share my fears !

I have already made my mind up that I won't have any further bariatric surgery so I am really steeling myself to be really careful in what I eat etc. Its really hard to judge if the band has been helping in any small way to my weight loss over the last two years when I have just been eating sensibly. When a band erodes it supposedly becomes ineffective.. I am pretty confident that my erosion isn't recent. I guess time will tell. Thanks for replying. I will let you know how I get on.