hi trish, i had my band installed 2 1/2 years ago. i lost approx. 80 pounds mainly in the first 1 - 1.5 years. approx. 6 months ago i went in for an adjustment and i didn"t notice any tightness. i thought i had left it longer than usual for my tightning(adjustment) anyway over the next 3-4 weeks i had 2 more adjustments and still no tightness. well after six xray's and 1 gastrograph(sp) stomach camera. i was told it was't working. (no kidding) i had a secound operation and they discovered leak in tub half way between receptor and band. they replaced tubing to the band. surgery was very easy, especially since they did not have to fill me with gas. i went home from hospital the same day. back to work in 2 days. anyway, they put in 5 mils whilst on operating table. two weeks later they put in 4 more mils. there was still NO restriction. went in for more xrays and sure enough they found a leak in the band. "bummer" the doctor is now giving me the option of replacement band or gastric sleeve? i'm eager to lose weight,but i think sleeve is so permanent with possible side effects. the scary thing is, i had kept the 80 pounds off for nearly a year. in the last six months, whilst going back and forth with all these tests. i have managed to put All my weight loss back on. i don't understand what caused band to rupture/break but i was very happy with it until breakage. i guess best thing is to get new lap band and start over. at least i know i can loss the weight with the band properly functioning. it's been a very frustrating 6 months, but i am keeping positive that i will get back on track and back to a proper size and health level. this is my very first chat room of any kind. i hope i have been of some comfort. at least you now know someone that has gone through similiar experiences to yourself. if you want , let me know how your new surgery goes, and i can keep you up to date with mine??? best wishes jim
