I am so so sorry for your complications, but I also thank you for posting..as well as everyone else. I am in the process of deciding which WLS I want to get, and after reading about the complications , and the fact that what you say is true..there really are quite a few surgeons who have quit doing the lap band due to the complications and not a high enough percentage of patients losing the weight they should. I will not get the lap band myself. I think , if you want my lowly opinion, that you should have a complete un-fill as well, wouldn't that feel the same as having it taken out all together? Then once you've healed , and eaten some healthy food , you'll feel more like yourself .It would be better for you to make a mistake and keep it in while you heal , you can always choose to take it out at another time ,but once you remove it , you can't change your mind . I do have to wonder why your dr.s wife is reading his e-mail, isn't there something about dr. patient confidentiality? Even if she's his secretary , she should not be dispensing medical advice to you! I would find a new doc. PRONTO , he can't be all that good if he lets his wife interfere with his patients like that, I also find it suspicous that she apologised to you AFTER you contacted someone, do you think it is a coincidence that they told you get another opinion? One more thing, I would not trust this dr to help you decide whether to keep it in or not, Due to the wife thing I have a feeling that he may be getting a visit/ call from whatever your version of the american medical assc. is (oversees dr.s ,acts on complaints, can suspend/revoke medical licenses, etc etc).