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To those of you who have had the band removed: If I have my band removed, will I be back to normal or will there be always lingering effects of being banded? I've had my band for 8 weeks now and have called or seen the doctor and other doctors too many times to count. I've had many of the usual tests, five different drugs (with horrible side effects), and so many complications. I want to have the band removed so that I will feel like I did before. I have no fill now, but am scared of food and disappointed in the way of life for a bandster. I know we are all different, but I will just say that for me, life is not good. I am so thirstyl I want to take a nice long drink of cold water so badly. If I am going to diet, I want to eat fruit and vegetables- not mashed potatoes and gravy. I have to put sauces, creams, and gravies on just about everything I eat to get it to go down without so much discomfort. I want to eat like a normal person. I vastly misunderstood the band. I thought that I would be eating smaller meals and feel satisfied. I did not know that I would have to chew food to the consistency of vomit before I swallowed. I knew I would eat slowly and said that was fine with me because I am the slowest eater -ever. I didn't understand that slowly meant newborn baby bites and eventually eating cold food everytime I ate. I'm not really losing -I guess because I am not hydrated and not eating enough protein. can't help that, I am doing all that I can tolerate. I've decided that I will give the band 6 months and then make my final decision. The problem for me is that I will be letting my family down. I know that I will probably not ever be able to lose weight in my lifetime now. I had such high hopes, but now am depressed all the time. I am not myself, not happy -ever. I hate this thing inside me. I hate that I'm in a situation that I can't control. I hate life. So, I hope that those who are mean-spirited will not answer my post -I am looking for those who have taken the band out -not those who have pent up anger and hostility and use message boards' anonymity to purge their demons:) Thanks in advance.

After errosion can you do a rue-n-y procedure? Yes for me, no for someone else I know. One girl had her stomach cut during banding, which lead to complications, which lead to emergency band removal. She was told she could never have another weight loss surgical procedure. 2] What do you feel caused the errosion? Nobody can answer this. My doctor believes port infections will lead to erosion and some banding techniques having to do with stitches rubbing against the band, but nothing has been proved. Stomach irritant meds can lead to ulcers that can cause erosion. Even perfect bandster who follow all rules can erode. Does this happen to everyone evenually or from a bad lap-band procedure? A bad lap band procedure (in my opinion) can definitely lead to erosion according to my surgeon. Incorrect placement of the band, for example. Or if the surgeon nicks your stomach (even a tiny nick) and doesn't fix it, it can become infected, which can lead to erosion. Did you have pain or what? that caused the Dr to check for erosion? I had no pain, but the way my food digested felt way different than it used to when I was originally banded. Different noises, different sensations. None of my doctors would give me an endoscopy because my Upper GI came back fine. They refused to believe that I "knew my own body and knew I was eroded." So I had to fight for the endoscopy, which sure enough revealed erosion. Also, too many people that were banded by my surgeon around the same time had eroded, so I had valid reasons for suspicion. Would taking the Fluid out have worked? No. The only cure for erosion is to remove the band and repair any preferations. Removing fluid can fix a slipped band, but eroded bands must come out. When removed did you have actual holes in your stomach to be sewed up from where the band sat. Yes, many of us had adhesions or preferations that had to be sewn up. The earlier the erosion is detected, the better chances for smaller holes (I think, anyway.) Are you going to get rebanded? NO. Because I do not know the long term results of having my band removed. My belly is queasy and feels a little sick. I don't know if I have scars inside. If I do have scars, I don't know how they will develop over time. I wouldn't consider another band for several years, and I would ONLY get another if insurance covered it locally in the US. Do you have any restriciton from the scar tissue? YES. I personally have a lot of restriction, but my unbanded friends don't. I had a hiatal hernia prior to banding, which felt like a very painful version of band restriction. When I woke up with my new band, the hernia didn't hurt any more but the pouch restriction was in the same area with no pain. I think my restriction has to do with my hernia. I feel tight in the same place as I did when banded and often joke that my surgeon forgot to remove the band. But maybe it's just swollen and scarred, so maybe the restriction will go away with time. I hope not! Do you regret that you ever had it done? I regret going to Mexico. I regret not having patience to fight my insurance company. I do not regret getting banded. I've lost over 70 pounds and gained a whole new personality.

Hi Sooverit. I am sorry you are having so many problems with your insurance company. You don't even want me to start my speech on insurance companies, and WLS, or this post might be called a book. It does sound like you have some options - don't give up on your dream. If your primary doctor is going to be trained to give fills, going to Mexico might not be a bad choice. Have you researched what you would have to do if any complilctions came up?? And if you go to Colorado, with a buddy, will that end up being as much as if you have it done there?? And once again.... if you have post-op check ups or any complications, would you have to fly back to Colorado?? There is no where closer to you that would do it for less?? I know I'm not much help - wish I could be more. Maybe a list of all the pros and cons of each one of your options would help. I wish you luck. I was a self pay and went to all of my loved ones for help. I didn't have a rich relative, but all of my not so rich ones kinda pitched in and helped me to get the band. They love me and want me to be healthier and around for awhile. I know not everyone has people to help - I am blessed. I will keep my fingers crossed for you - please let me know how it turns out. If you need someone to talk to - I'm a great listener. Becky

My starting weight was 283 lbs. I have done all of the fad diets over the years including multiple attempts at Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, Slim Fast, just to name a few. The most I ever lost on any diet was about 70 lbs and I gained it all back(and then some). I had reached a point where my health was really beginning to suffer as a direct result of my obesity. I had hypertension, heart palpitations, type 2 diabetes, and was on multiple medications. I decided to look into WLS in January 2013. The only 2 surgeries I was willing to consider were lap-band and gastric sleeve. I ultimately decided on lap-band because it is less invasive, reversible, and can be revised to the sleeve, if needed, at a later date. The reverse is not true. I was also very uncomfortable with having part of my stomach removed, concerned with leaks, and other post-op complications that can happen with the sleeve. I was banded on December 20, 2013, so less than a year ago. My current weight is 148 lbs. I have lost a total of 135 lbs. I have gone from a size 24 to a size 6 in pants and dresses, and from a size 3x-4x down to a size small in tops. The best part is that I am off all my cardiac, blood pressure, and diabetes medications. The only meds I take now are synthroid because I have hypothyroidism(and even that is only 1/3 the dose I was on before), zyrtec for seasonal allergies, a multivitamin, and calcium supplement. This was absolutely THE best decision I ever made and I would do it all over again! The only regret that I have is that I didn't do it sooner! Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do!

I would like to know if any of you have had complications. Leaks or heartburn or nauseu? I wonder how old you are too because I am concerned about my skin. I am 50 and losing wt fast could be really bad on my skin. I do not have the bucks for plastics.

yes i have seen him twice because I had complications. I had a feeding tube for a week and have had fainting spells. Also lots of abdominal pain but he just looks at me funny and says he doesnt think its surgery related. So I go to ER and told them surgeon doesnt think its surgery related and get told that noone will touch me because I just had this surgery. So I am sooo screwed. This was the worst mistake of my life.

Hey guys my name is abby and i will geting banded in december i have one more visit and i will know the exact date. But i wanna know your responce to gerting the band was a drastic life change? Are you happy with it? Any complications(skin)?

I can give you all my statistics and tell you about all my gains and losses and why "I" chose the band, but those things are not what is really going to help you. Everyone can find success and failure with any WLS modality. For that matter people can find success with Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or Medicinal intervention. For most of us our reasons for choosing Weight Loss Surgery was because we have exhausted all other other attempts to lose our weight, keep it off, get and stay at a healthy weight. I can't tell you that your diabetes will go away because it may not. I can't tell you that you won't have high blood pressure because you may lose all your weight and still be hypertensive. I can't tell you that you won't get cancer, but I can tell you that losing weight will greatly reduce the statistics that these things will kill you. The reason to choose one WLS over another is YOU and your medical team. You can have a Gastirc bypass lose all your weight only to gain it back 3 years later, the same can be said for the sleeve or the band. You are the key here friend. YOU and only you can make this choice for yourself. What do YOU feel would be the most successful surgery for you? What do the doctors who have been taking care of you think? Do they agree with what you think? If not why not? These are some key questions to ask. After doing exhausting research on the modalities of WLS, finding out the pro's and con's of each surgery, and let me tell you that the worst "con's" against any surgery are almost always people's negative experiences amplified and not so much "fact". For me I need the facts, and no matter which one you choose or how you spin it the worst is always death, and/or major complications. This would be true of any surgery, for any reason. While some think this is an "elective" surgery for me that is not how I view it. For me it was a life saving surgery as much as if I needed open heart surgery and that's the idea I went into this with. I chose the band based on my research and personal experiences meeting others who have had other surgeries, witnessing their experiences and knowing myself well enough to know what it would take for me to be compliant with all of these types of surgery. I chose the band, because at this point in my life I am not ready to re-wire my entire digestive system. I do not want to have part of my stomach removed if it does not need to be. I knew I could and would be compliant with the band surgery and make it work for me and I loved the fact that I could alter it to fit my life and my life style. I can add Fluid and remove fluid. I have done so when I have gotten sick and then put more in when I was well. My husband who is also banded was able to loosen the band and take fluid out so that he could recover from hip replacement surgery smoothly, and then was able to put the fluid back in once he was off the medications he needed to take. Most of all when you hear all the good the bad and the ugly, take the time to work out and understand the mechanics of all the surgery options. Read all you can and I always advocate @Alex Brecher books! Decide what is best for YOU with the guidance of your doctors and medical team. I wish you all the best on your journey!

I'm pretty sure now that I'm going to do the band. I'm already eating right so it shouldn't be too hard for me to eat very small amounts after the band is installed. I've always struggled with my weight and excercise was the only way for me to stay in shape. After retiring from the Navy in '98 I stopped excercising and the weight started coming at a rate of about 10 -15 lbs a year. Due to my health, I "can't" get out and start excercising again, legs hurt, I have a herniated disc in my back, and I have early stages of C.O.P.D. Once I get the weight off I'm hoping to get back on an excersize program. Not sure why anyone would get mad about people saying it's reversable. :redface: Advertising ploy or not, it's nice to know that if there are complications, it can be removed! :crying:

Hello all! I have been a member for a couple of months but have been a little shy about posting. I was sleeved April 19, 2012. I went to a free seminar that the surgeon had back in July of 2011. After much prayer and thought I decided to go through with the surgery. I had to do a 6 month supervised diet and at the time I was annoyed at the fact that I had to wait. Now that I am post op I am so glad that I had the 6 months to prepare. I think that if I hadn't had the 6 months I would be completely lost now. The day finally came for surgery. I wasn't nervous at all. My post op course has been uneventful. I have been truly blessed. The worst part for me was the first week and the 2 day stay in the hospital. The only thing that bothered me about the hospital is the On-Q pump was in the way and I did not like the effects of the anesthesia. The first week I was home was a little trying because I had a lot of head hunger and couldn't sleep. Now at 10 weeks out I feel back to normal (with the exception of not eating a ton and people bugging me about how much weight I have lost). I seriously feel like that I have not had anything done. I am not the faster loser and I have been fighting within not to compare myself to others. I understand that everyone is different. For all the pre-op people I pray that you have an amazing journey and are complication free. For all of the post-op people I pray that this journey will be the biggest gift you could have done for yourself and for strength to keep up with this lifestyle change.

my two supplemental insurance pays for disability & hospital stay. however the doctor fills out the insurance papers and thats black and white. it is the doctor/surgeon discretion how long a patient is off; complications maybe? i had my gallbladder removed and was good the second week, but i was off six weeks.

I have heard nothing but horror stories about the band. I heard they may outlaw them here in California because of so many that have slipped and embedded in stomach tissue. (I am not saying that there are not any that aren't successful). I personally would not want something left insdie me like that. With the sleeve, part of your stomach us cut off, so nothing foreign is in your body. If you follow your doctros' instructions you should be fine. I never had one complication from my surgery, or no nausea or pain. I am so much more healthier since befing sleeved, and my cholesterol and triglycerides have gone down so much. You will be so much healthier, I doubt that being sleeved would hinder your ability to conceive. I don't know how overweight you are, but you will be doing yourself and your health a favor with the sleeve and you would not have to worry about comolications with the band.

I had RNY three months ago and have now lost 76# (pre and post op). These are the reasons I chose the bypass: -- Surgery has been done for 50+ years and has a long history of success. -- Is considered the gold standard of WLS. On average people lose more weight with RNY than any other WLS. -- Eliminates acid reflux. The sleeve can make this worse. -- BP instantly normal after surgery. -- "Disconnects" the hunger hormones. My hunger is nothing like it was before surgery. -- Old stomach is still intact and part of my system. I have had no complications. My recovery has been amazing. I was off my pain meds three days after coming home from the hospital. I can eat anything I want, although I don't because I don't feel good afterward. I am losing an average of 3 pounds a week. I've had no stalls.

So - my Dr's office offers 1 year complication ins for their self-pay patients. Great right! So I move forward with all of my appointments and had my consultation with my surgeon and really like him. Today I was setting up some of my final appointments and the girl from the office says, "I see you are scheduled to have your surgery with Dr.K but I have to tell you that he can not provide the complication insurance. Id you want that, you have to have your surgery with Dr. M." SO NOW YOU TELL ME!!! They are both great docs but I would have loved to have my consult with the doc who is actually DOING my surgery. Geesh! So, if your office offers this, make sure you are paired up with the doc that can provide it.

The hospital said that I could have it done outpatient there. My insurance says if there are any complications and I need to stay longer, I will be able to.

I'm only 5 months in, and it's going great. I'm down 89 from surgery, had no real complications, and have no regrets. Best of luck to you!

I am a little more than 3 months out and approaching a total WL of 80# (pre and post RNY). I had a great recovery and no complications.

I "am" comparing it to a GB. The sleeve is not available to me through my insurance. And I did say, "if there are complications" it's good to know it can be removed. If I were to get the bypass, and there are complications due to it, I can't get that reversed.

They always have to be prepared for complications. I went in as a 23 hour out patient and ended up there three days with dry heaves. Basically it is an outpatient procedure but if you are high risk or they feel that there may be a need to keep you it has to be submitted or your insuance will not pay if he decides later on that you need to stay.

I know scheduling is rough, but you need to make going back to your doctor for a slight unfill a priority. A band too tight can lead to slips and worse complications. You definitely don't want to mess with that.

Anytime one loses weight quickly there is the risk of gallbladder attack and possiable surgery. Ive read this many times ,with my many many yrs of trying one diet or another. Its not nessicarily a complication of Lap band surgery.

Its just like Wasa said and has said. its no offense to anyone on this board so dont flame me for it . But these docs pushing these post op diets up and up is the reason why the US has the highest and is getting HIGHER Slip rates and complication rates than anywhere else ! There is a REASON For it. The makers of the bands do not recommend this ! Its just dangerous. Food is food , you can live on liquids for weeks and weeks. Its not worth it to me to risk my band to have anything to eat. I Understand the docs says its ok. But Like i said there are reasons the US is having higher and higher slip rates ! Mindy

Look i dont really care what people call me , I am here to help and help only . I can voice my own opinion on things and this is one I chose to voice my opinion on . If I think docs are putting patients at risk, slips ect by allowing them to eat sooner than they should I can have that opinion . call me uppity if you will ! That's fine. I can have an opinion on it ! I am not perfect, never claimed to be. BUT I think for people who are a month, a week ect out of surgery to be calling those of us who are Yrs , yr out of surgery UPPITY when we ARE TRYING TO HELP is a little , well im not sure what to call that. I would have NEVER dreamed of calling a fellow bandster , vet bandster a name , uppity , ect if they were trying to help me when i was a month , week out of surgery . I am on this site BECAUSE when i was a week, month , months out of surgery people were here to help me , answer my questions, If people already have all the answers, or do not like what others have to say dont ask the questions. NOW That might be uppity or bitchy im sorry , I AM . But I will say it ONE MORE TIME ON here. it does NO ONE ANY GOOD To sugar coat something , It does no one ANY GOOD to say what you WANT to hear instead of what you NEED to hear. I wont do it ! In this instance its my opinion with a little bit of fact ( the stats on US Slips , complication rates ) But please dont call those of us trying to help names !!!! Mindy

Some of mine were: How many surgeries, complication rate, Laparoscopic to open rate (How many times he has started laparoscopically and had to turn it into a full surgery), mortality rate, recommended vitamins, the weight loss he would expect from me, any recommended readings, websites, educational information etc...

I really don't have advice on the surgery itself because I'm going through the pre-process. I will tell you how I came to my decision....I'm turning 40 this year. I've been struggling with my weight for 20+ years. I'd lose 40-60 pounds to gain it all back plus more. I had a son at age 37 and now that he is so active, I decided I needed to get this done. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I want to be around for my son, I don't want to be an embarrassment. I've stopped and started this process probably 3 or 4 times and was originally going to go with bypass but the whole idea of them cutting my stomach and reducting my insides, freaked me. Permanent freaked me out. The band is such a great tool, I think. Am I worried about complications, yes. BUT, what about the complications from our weight issues? Am I worried about death? Yes, but what about dying from a heart attack at age 45 (for me). I think the risks are worth it. I have really changed things about myself just preparing for this surgery. I know if I would stay on track with the changes I have made for myself, I could probably lose the weight alone but I know it would come back on quickly and the lap band will help me maintain control.. I am a frustrated dieter/life changer. I am able to diet and lose but I get so frustrated when I'm living off of raw vegetables and lean cuisine and not seeing that scale move. I get mad and quit....and the cycle continues. I'm hoping this band will help control the hunger so I'm not "starving" and getting frustrated. I've researched, and weighed my options. I can remain overweight and risk the chances of diabetes, heart disease and cancer to name few or I can gain control of this weight and gain control of my life. I want my son to be proud to call me his mom. I want to take pictures with my son so he has memories of me, but I wont' do it now because I'm humiliated with my appearance. I'm done living in the shadows and I want to be healthy. I'm not saying I want to be skinny...healthy. I've told my surgeon....If I could get to 165 and stay there, I would be thrilled. I want to be able to shop in the normal clothes section and not have to shop in the chubby chic section where they only sell clothes with big flowers and fish on them! In my opinon, you have quit smoking....great move to improve your health and kudos for your decision. Losing weight will only add strength to you and make you feel better, inside and out. I am excited about my decision and will eventually look and feel on the outside like I do on the inside. Do the research.. try www.lapband.com - I got a lot of information there. Go to the surgeon and ask tons of questions. I probably call the nurse at least once a week with a new list of questions and they gladly answer them for me. There is a lot of information here too, just don't listen to the horror stories, because they are with every situtation. Some people have horrible pregnancies, gall bladder removals, perms.....but it doesn't stop other people from have successful perms and births....