I was banded in 2010 weighing in at 285lbs at 19yrs old. I've had an incredible journey and at one point I was half my size! Now seven years later I've still managed to keep off over 100 pounds with only one fill and zero follow ups with my surgeon who is now retired. Over the years I did have times where I would be really sick with heartburn and unable to keep foods down. I also fell back into old habits like drinking with meals, having carbonation, and over eating.
Yesterday (Aug. 15, 2017) I visited a new surgeon in my area for a general consultation and adjustment since I haven't been losing weight. Before he does adjustments he has his patients do a barium swallow, which I guess is good practice, but I have never done one, not even after my surgery which this new doctor found to be odd. It didn't take more than a second for the doctor and radiologist to see that my band has severely slipped. He described it as a stage/level 4 slip and said it's the worst slip he's ever seen (images included with post). Thankfully I'm young and healthy and I don't need immediate surgery since I'm not experiencing any side effects of the slip but I could at any time.
So my band needs to be removed and I'm heartbroken. I know that the band is just a tool and only controls the volume of food I can consume, but I don't know what life will be like with a full stomach. I'm terrified of regaining my weight. Unfortunately healthy foods don't make up most of my diet and I love sugar and have a tendency to emotionally eat. I'm looking for support for a good foundation after my removal.
After removal how did you monitor your eating? Did you immediately regain weight? Did you do a barium swallow after your initial placement? Did any of you lose contact /have your surgeon retire and then have complications and wonder if it was due to their malpractice?
