Sallianne

Hello, I totally understand how you are feeling. I had my band removed on Sept. 1, 2009. It had eroded into my stomach too. I however, had no syptoms. I had a random endoscopy and that is how they found it. I do recall after having my band for about 6 months, that is suddenly got extremely tight. I had several unfils until i was finally able to eat something other than yogurt....after about 5 weeks. Not sure if that is when the band actually broke through the stomach membrane or just what happened at that time. The dr. did an endoscopy then, but said everything was fine, maybe it had just not shown up for them to see it yet. In any event....I cried and cried when they told me it needed to be removed. I had major sucess with my band and am at goal weight, so for that I am thankful. Unfortunately you have not a good experience with the band at all. I am so sorry that you have had so many problems and very thankful that you are well enough now to have it removed. From the sounds of everything that you have gone through, it truly does need to come out and try to consider it as a blessing. I know you are probably feeling very mad and disappointed that the band did not work for you. Understandably so. If you can, try to be positive about it. There is nothing you can do at this point and your health is more important than the band. Be thankful they found what the problem was and that is going to be fixed. You can write to me anytime and I will try to be a support for you. I wish you well in your upcoming surgery. I will tell you from my experience, having the surgery to have the band removed was harder on me than when I had it put in, but when I had it put in, I was happy. So my state of mind probably had alot to do with my recovery. I am a month out and have not gained any weight, so I am encouraged by that. I in fact have lost a few more pounds since surgery mainly because I think I am so scared to eat anything that will make me gain. I have learned valuable lessons in eating having had the band for two years.....I hope I can continue to use what I learned. It is up to me now. You take care of yourself and please let me know how you are doing and if I can help you in any way.

Hi Josie Thanks for your reply. I had my band removed 2 weeks ago (erosion). I am at goal weight but am not getting much encouragement on keeping that weight off. I think I can though. I was thinking of joining WW for maintenance. I was wondering if anyone on here does that? I figured while banded I was eating 1200 or so calories per day. I have been faithfully keeping to 1200 or less since my band was removed. Any thoughts?

is there anyone on here that had their lap band removed and joined WW to maintain their weight loss?

how did you manage to maintain your weight loss before you got the sleeve revision?

so you were at goal weight....excellent. Did you have to pay for it yourself or did insurance cover it?

were you overweight when you got the sleeve put in?

my dr. indicated that i would have to wait 6 mos. for my stomach to heal. he talked about the gastric sleeve, but also said insurance would not pay for it because technically i am not overweight anymore.

Does anyone know of a support group for those who have had to have their band removed due to erosion or slippage,etc., and had no other type of replacement. I am scheduled to have my band removed and need support and encouragement to not gain my weight back. If anyone knows of success stories, please HELP!

thanks....i just sent you an email.

HH you are so positive.....i need some of that right now. I'm glad you are doing well.

Hi Mary I am a heart patient and was hospitalized. While running tests they found my hemoglobin to be low, so they ordered a colonoscopy and endoscopy to determine if anything was wrong. The dr. that did the procedure was not my bariatric surgeon. I had asked if my BS could do it, but he was going to be out of town, so their office advised me to use the dr. recommended by the hospital. I had it done and went for the follow up appt and was told that my stomach was severely irritated and possible drops of blood inside could be causing the low hemoglobin. i asked her how my lap band was and she said it was fine. she gave me photos of the procedure and sent me on my way. afterwards, i had a scheduled appt. with my bariatric surgeon and thought i would take the photos to show him and note in my files. when he saw the pictures - you could see my band from inside my stomach. i never even made the connection, especially since the one dr. told me my band was fine. My BS said no way should you see the band in the photos and showed me where it was corroded and said it needed to be removed. I was told i would have to let it heal for about 6 mos. I probably will not be able to have any type of replacement because i am at goal weight with a normal BMI now. I am so scared that I will regain my 115 pound weight loss or alot of it. I am very strict with my diet and hope that I can continue so without the band, but from what i've read, it seems almost impossible. i need to find a website or support group to help me through this. If anyone knows of one, please let me know. I appreciate this site and everyones help. Thank you.

I hope to be able to be successful after the band is removed. I am having it removed because they said it is eroded. I had an endoscopy done to figure out why my hemoglobin was low. My lap band dr. didnt do the endoscopy but when i took him the pictures of the procedure, he saw it. The dr. who did the procedure told me my lap band was fine...but she is not a specialist in that area. Its amazing how little other doctors know about all of this. Thanks for your support and if you have any tips or suggestions for staying on board, please help!

Headhunter, you have a great attitude. I need help in getting a good attitude. I am scheduled to be debanded on 9-1-09 due to erosion. I too am afraid of gaining back my weight. You said there are many people who are "bandless" and been able to retain their weight loss. I wont be able to have a different procedure, so i have to depend on myself from now on. That's scary! If i continue my eating habits like I have while being banded, is there any reason why I would gain my weight back. Everything I have read indicates I will gain my weight back plus some. That terrifies me. Do you know of any support groups for people who have had to go bandless and maintain their weight loss? Thanks for any help you can give.

I like your response to this situation. I am facing band removal on Sept. 1st due to erosion. I too am devastated. Mine was found through a random endoscopy. You said there are many out there that have had their bands removed and maintained their weight loss. I hope to be able to do that. My theory is, if I dont change my eating habits that I have with the band, then there is no reason to regain the weight , right? But everything I have read indicates you will regain the weight and possibly more. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated and if you know of any websites or support sites for people who are now bandless and trying to maintain their weight loss, will you give me the link. Thanks. Sallianne

That is awesome. I am facing having my band removed on Sept. 1st, after 2 years. I want to be a success story like you, can you offer me any help or suggestions on how you did so well. Did you keep the same eating habits as you did when you had the band? What did you do different if anything? i appreciate any help or suggestions.