SondraMoore35

It's not a popular opinion on some boards, but I do hear a lot of negatives from people with bands. I had mine out May 21st and am SO happy. I am thrilled to have it gone. My new surgeon's opinion was my band was placed wrong to start with, way too high. The radiologist who did my upper GI thought it was a slip - I don't know anything other than for almost a year I threw up daily. My fills were all done unde fleuro, and every time I was assured all looked well, but my stomach would swell shut from the irritation of adding or removing fluid. People are fast to quote statistics on complications, but a lot of surgeons don't use fleuro and don't recommend yearly EGD's - I think it's going to come out in the long run that the lapband is quite dangerous. That is just my opinion.

Hello. I had Dr. Felts through AIGB in Houston. I was sick for a LONG time (banded in May 2007) I heard the usual; erosions don't "really" happen, chew more, if you have nausea maybe you're pregnant (I had a tubal years ago!) I was swelling shut anytime the nurse accessed my port to check on my fill level or add; I called Dr. Felt's Dallas office and after 5 more calls, several emails - about 2 weeks later got a return call to see how it goes and check back in a few months. In my opinion, all Dr. Felt's flying around to different locations isn't a good thing - it translates to slim to none aftercare. I finally went to another surgeon and found out that I had gastritis, esophagitis, duodenal spasms, gallstones and the best of all - my band was placed too high and so I didn't even have a pouch as the band was sitting on my lower esophagus. Thank GOD my new surgeon removed my band a few weeks ago and I feel so much better. Dr. Felt's office wouldn't even return my calls when I called to ask how this happened. Good luck.

I have had no pain from the removal. I also had my gall bladder out and that did cause some minimal pain. I feel great, I was able to eat normally within 2 days.

Hello. I was unbanded about 10 days ago. I am SO happy to be able to enjoy a salad or a sandwich without throwing up for hours. My insurance is fighting paying for the removal (had my gall bladder out at the same time) but the only exclusion is for surgical obesity treatment, and I have a letter of medical necessity due to esophagitis, gastritis, duodenal spasms, and gall stones - we shall see. Thankfully my surgeon was good enough to see how ill I was and go ahead and take care of business. I am a bit sore from the gall bladder removal, but not an ache or pain from the band removal. Good luck.

Hello. I actually thought all was "normal" for the first bit of time. I threw up almost daily, but my family members had bypass and threw up a lot, so I didn't know the difference. I was told my stomach was hypersensitive to fills, my stomach would swell completely shut if the fill person checked the amount of Fluid in my band. We got to where we had to slowly add small amounts over months' times - I had reflux, nausea, and existed on "soft" foods for months. I finally gave in and went to a new surgeon. I was sent immediately for testing and found eons of problems - from a band placed wrong, to gall stones, gastritis, ulceration of my esophagus, duodenal spasms. I had both my gall bladder and band out last week and am very happy about it.

LOL - got to love the enthusiasm of the newly banded. My band was misplaced around my lower esophagus, not sure where in reasearching I could found that one? I just wish everyone would believe more of what they do read - like the real long-term statistics not the ones given to them by their doctors.

Well...it's over now. I had my band and gall bladder removed yesterday afternoon. I must say that my new surgeon is amazing and this recovery is much easier than I anticipated so far. I'm sore, especially on my right side where my gall bladder came out. My reflux is GONE, the horrible port pain GONE :confused_smile: I was banded in May, 2007. I was not diligent and chose a doctor based on very limited information. I did not have much pre-surgery testing done because I was self-pay. I have UHC insurance and was told even though my policy had a weight loss surgery exclusion, any complications would be covered. What a year! I spent the first six months throwing up constantly. My poor kids were always there ready to grab me a plastic bag, it was just a fact - if I ate I would throw up after the first few bites. My doctor finally did a total unfill due to pouch dilation and that self-corrected according to them. I was also told that my stomach was hyper-sensitive and each time I had a fill my stomach would swell shut for a bit. Keep in mind, that I actually only saw my surgeon once after surgery. He was never available, never returned a call in a timely manner - best case scenario was 10 days. I was followed at a large surgery center with multiple doctors. I was in so much discomfort that I found a highly-recommended new surgeon that would see me. He sent me for tests immediately, I was found to have duodenal spasms, gastritis, esophagitis and gall stones. The insurance company is still fighting paying for lapband removal. But....it's over and done now. It is amazing how much better I feel than with my initial surgery - I think it's because my new surgeon is so much better. It was found that my band had been incorrectly placed and I never had a true pouch - the band was on my lower esophagus. UGH. Looking forward to moving on from this. Sondra

Had my band out yesterday and was given no dietary restrictions - just eat in small amounts and see how I feel. I also had my gall bladder removed - I'm a bit sore from that. I'm so relieved this is over and done, chapter closed and moving forward.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that has had problems with the band. Mine is coming out Wednesday, and I cannot wait! I had my surgery a year ago I lost about 20 pounds and then nothing! After months and months of throwing up, I found out that my band was placed too high. My new surgeon wanted to adjust it, but I said just take it out and let me move on. I have spent a year eating unhealthy food because salads and fruit wouldn't go down. I'm a bit nervous for the surgery but anxious for it to be over.

Hello. This weekend I'll have had my band a year, it is coming next week - FINALLY. Can anyone tell me the recovery time for this procedure? I'm also having my gall bladder out at the same time.

LOL - that's funny. I appreciate your input there. My band was placed incorrectly, it is actually on the lower portion of my esophagus, thus making me not have a pouch. It took a second surgeon to get this straightened out. I've definitely lost weight, as I spent 9 months throwing up daily. Thanks again...you made me laugh.

Hello. I am trying to get my band out when I have my gall bladder removed. I was self-pay, but my insurance is giving me a hard time about removing the band even with a letter of medical necessity. Anyone else successful appeal this situation with their insurance?

Hello. I'm about a year out from banding. I have been having nausea along with tenderness in my abdomen, and unexplained bloating. Mine turns out to be from gall stones and we're scheduling surgery to remove my gall bladder in about 10 days. Sondra

Hello. I know there are several people on here who had surgery with Dr. Felts in Houston. My sugery was on 05/18/07. I have since moved out of state and was wondering how everyone else is doing? I feel like I can eat more since my fill, and have stayed at the same weight for the past month? Anyone out there? Sondra