Hello everyone. I am new here. I have had a love/hate relationship with my band for over 12 years. I went to Mexico back when the lapband wasn't even being done here in the States. I lost my weight (the usual marathon way not the sprint way like other surgeries). I loved my band and the way that it helped me to keep from overeating. I was such a success, that I began to work for my doctor's in Mexico. I helped explain the "in's and out's" of living with the band. was the huge success that everyone looked up to. Only behind the curtain there was something else happening. I always kept myself so tight that I truly wasn't eating, my nutrition was minimal and my tests showed it. I am now at the point where I can eat virtually nothing. I took out all the saline in it about 4 years ago and gained about 40 pounds back. This situation has only complicated things more because now I have restriction as if it is full of saline. My doctor's here in the States are worried about my health, and I have an appointment with a Kaiser General Surgeon on May 30th to see if I can get the lap-band removed. I am excited much like I was when I first had it put in. I am motivated to make the changes I need to take control of my health, exercise, eat right (wow! I'll actually be able to eat again!!), and begin to have a healthier relationship with food again!! While I am excited, I'd like to hear from anyone else here who has had their band removed and how you made it work for you. I'd appreciate it very much. I realize that I may have an adjustment period while my body gets use to actually having it fed regularly again. Thanks for reading everyone. I look forward to any responses.