wordwench

I was banded in Oct. 2002. After 150 pounds of successful weight loss, I gained back 50 and have suffered the past two years from recurrent high fevers, severe fatigue, port pain, headaches, reflux. The list goes on. I haven't seen my surgeon - yes, I know, bad me - and all my regular doctors are at a loss as to why my body seems to have an infection they can't find. The symptoms are body flu-like. And constant. I can barely get up most mornings and now can't eat. Constant diarrhea, bloating, gall bladder pain. Has anyone else been banded this long and had these kinds of complications? Please, help. Thank you so much.

Thanks to all who replied...I did speak with my surgeon, who called for immediate removal of the band. There was no obvious infection, and he is hesitant to say that my body "rejected" the Band, but it did. It happens to people with breast implants, hip replacements, etc., so why not this? I'm sure I'm in the small percentage of people this happens to, but it's very difficult to find documentation, since the Band is still a newer technology. All my symptomology has disappeared. No fevers, no more extreme body ache and fatigue. My gallbladder pain is gone. My horrifying acid reflux is gone. I can eat a whole green salad again! Over six years, I have developed better eating habits, and while I'll never be as thin as I once was, I am healthy and relieved to no longer be in such a desperate state. good luck to those who remain banded...long term, it just didn't work for me.