samcgrew

Thanks Nancy! I know you'll feel better as time goes on. I don't know why you had your band removed but there is something about thinking that it's a quick fix. I know way too many people that have had nothing but problems from reflux, slippage, scar tissue around port, and tissue inside growing around the port. All of which require relief and perhaps another surgery. I'm happy to be free of the ongoing issues. :tongue: Thanks for the support and have a great day!

Hello! I had my band removed on May 28th of this year. I was almost on my death bed, had turned yellow, liver and kidneys giving out and was thrilled to have my band out. I just couldn't keep anything down and hadn't had a fill in over a year. I was completely unfilled and starving. I was given the option of doing the sleeve or choosing other options but after paying so dearly to be bulimic for 2 years, I chose to have it removed and do nothing else. It's been 5 months and I've gained back 23 pounds. Mainly due to lack of exercise and poor decisions on what I'm eating. I've also lost my job, moved and am going through a divorce. However, with all that being said, I will never put a foreign matter in my body again to assist in weight loss. The emotional trauma was unbearable and I think it was because I was so nutrionally deficient. I've always been successful with weight watchers and walking. I lose about 5 pounds a month so in 6 months 30 pounds is not too bad. No matter what you choose, you'll have to be disciplined in anything (eating slower, no breads etc., and with the sleeve, 3-4 oz of food at a time). I wish you success with whatever you do but research the sleeve fully because that surgery is not reverseable. Good luck.

Our entire family used Spiegel. He is a good doctor but if you're looking for someone with bedside manner, he's not the one. As far as his staff, I agree with the above. Our entire family was banded by Spiegel. I have since been debanded and my daughter wants hers out as well. After 2 years of throwing up daily, I couldn't take it any more. I understand that the sleeve is the better way to go? All I know is the band isn't and didn't work for my daughter or me. My husband has done well but it's been a slow process and alot of throwing up with him too. He had the largest band put on and faired better than the rest of us. I have heard that Speevak is the better doctor but I would certainly interview more than one doctor. Good luck!

It's been two months since I've had my band removed and I'm healthier, happier and feeling 1000 times better. I have not gained any weight back and am maintaining my 50 pound loss. I still have 30 pounds left to lose but I will gladly do that on my own with diet and exercise. I still don't eat as much as I did before and make healthier selections. The removal of the lap band was fairly easy. I had the surgery on Saturday and was back to work on Monday. EVERYONE I know that has had the lap band surgery wants it out and that's over 20 people. What does that tell you! I'm sure there are a few people that were fitted properly that can still eat and are doing well but the majority that I know of, are not happy at all. Hang in there!:party:

remove the band!! It's so unhealthy living like that. I did for 6 months and it almost killed me. I starting turning yellow because my liver wasn't functioning properly. Get the band out and feel better. Nothing is worth it.

Thanks for the quick response Hala. You are running your marathon today and I'm thinking about you. I have actually done 2 half marathons with the LLS (leukemia, lymphoma society) and it was a blast. Bermuda and Houston. My first one to attend as an honored patient was the Rock N Roll marathon in San Diego. I was hooked after that. If I would've stuck with that program, I would've probably never even gotten the band. I've been on so many diets that I know there is no miracle cure. Even with the band you have to watch what you eat and how you eat etc. I'm so proud of you though and you really give me inspiration. I will say that I, too, jump on that scale every day. I was 190 when I went into the hospital severly dehydrated and within the first three days added almost 10 pounds but it's almost all gone now, I know it was the anesthesia, saline etc. Let's keep in touch and let me how how you did on the marathon. Where was it and what group did you join? Congrats! Sharyl

I didn't write that last August. I just wrote it because i just found out about this site. My doctor's name was Felix Spiegel here in Houston. It was this past Saturday that I was debanded. Sorry about the confusion but he has been my only doctor. He offered to make adjustments but the band had been extremely tight from the very beginning. I had attemped a fill a couple of times but each time (and btw they would only put .4 or less) it would be so tight that I would have to have it removed. I'm enjoying not having the band so far and continuing to lose weight. I will keep you posted and good luck to you.

Hala, Congrats on the additional loss. How are you doing since being debanded. Do you have to to struggle or did you just change your eating habits? I was just debanded last Saturday and am scared that I'll gain all my weight back. I started at 249 and lost to 195 before getting debanded. The first few days I had already gained 5 pounds because of Water I assume. I started eating this Thurs. and it feels like heaven. Just small salads and such. Anyway, I like this group and appreciate the support. Would like to hear from you. Sharyl

Hi, My name is Sharyl and I was banded and debanded by Dr. Spiegel. I would love to talk to you more about your experience. Are you still banded? I'm 47, live in Houston, was banded 6-06 and debanded last saturday because I was dehydrated and starving to death. Not able to keep anything down. I'm thrilled to be free of that thing but scared to death to gain any weight back. How are you doing?

Thanks. Yes, my MD knew and that's why he removed the band. I was just wondering about gaining all the weight back. I'm worried about that more than anything. Thanks for your quick reply though

I want to join! What do I do to be a part of this group? Just had my band removed on Saturday 5.24.08 and am scared to death to gain the weight back! Thanks

I just had my band removed on Saturday and would like to know if you gained alot of your weight back? I'm deathly afraid of gaining all of the weight back especially since it's only been 3 days and I've put on 9 pounds. I know it's water weight and alot of swelling at the incision site but what can I expect? Thanks so much.