MorrieKins

Hi all, Long time lurker, but looking for some help now! Brief history: Lap Band surgery in 2006 Lost 100 lbs and have been struggling to maintain it. Have had complications (leaking band, infection, etc) and am on my 3rd band. Now another complication, my tube has disconnected from the band. My options are: complete removal of the band, OR reconnection of the tubing. After the last surgery in July 2010, I went into a deep depression and did not get my band refilled. I just couldn't face the deprivation and the daily struggles any more (this was MY experience living with the band). My lapband surgeon and clinic are of no help and neither is my family dr. I want the band out but fear of weight regain makes me want to keep it for insurance i.e. if my weight starts climbing up I can always revert back to using the band to lower it back down again. I seem to continuously put on 10-15 lbs, and then work like mad to get it back off again, and this seems to be getting more and more challenging. Currently, I weigh 210 lbs, 100 less than my starting weight. Anyone have any thoughts, advice, experience, ideas? I would be very grateful if you shared them with me. Marg.

No, I never heard of gastric plication! I will look into it, thank you.

That's exactly what I was wondering...if it would be a problem to have it repaired but not use it? Could it still cause erosion? Would it build more scar tissue to make removal even more difficult down the road? I can't seem to find information on this.

Yes, I agree. The odds have not been in my favor for the band! My surgeon agrees that none of the complications were my fault but it's very tiring going through this so often. I do think I would consider the sleeve if it were more available to me. Unfortunately it would be self pay, and my original band surgery was self pay too. I wonder if I should have it removed and then if my weight starts to climb I may have the money for the sleeve. I cannot find any information on what happens if you just leave the band/port etc in there without getting fills? Does anyone know if it can cause problems or complications like that?

I have considered it but I'm in Canada and the procedure is not available in my area at all. I would need to self pay and I would need to go to the states. I would have to have the band removed here (free) first. I haven't researched much about the sleeve yet.

It disconnected from the port. I have been having pain, mostly along my right rib, for weeks. I am considering the replacement just because it will be a less serious surgery. I have heard of complications of band removal because of scar tissue and that's scary.