F'd by lapband BIGTIME!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Hi Speedy, I am a former lap bander too. Though I wasn't cursed with the bad scar tissue, which is a miracle since I had mine for almost 3 years. My problem was it was simply ineffective on me. I was never once able to find my sweet spot. .2cc and I was too tight, then .25cc removed and I could eat a horse. Tell me how I'm supposed to concentrate on losing when my find is filled with regrets like that?

I initially lost 55 Lbs with it, but honestly I don't give any credit to the band. I did all of that myself while I was constantly being adjusted. I guess I just gave up trying because I gained it all back. I also got those awful night coughs from being too tight for too long. I got tired of all the fills/unfills... LOL I seriously had about 21 adjustements in the entire time I had the band.

Anyway, here I am nearly 7 months out and revised to sleeve. I really love my sleeve. REALLY!!! It is everything I wanted out of my band and then some.

I will pray for you that your stomach heals well enough for you to get the sleeve, because I know you would do really well with it. I can tell of your motivation.

Blessings, and anytime you need a shoulder we are always here.

[SpeedyCheeks 0]

I get teary eyed from all this support, Thank you so much...Becca, I regretted getting the band from the very first time I threw-up which was the 1st day. I was self pay $15,000 and if I'd had any money left to get that evil thing out of me sooner I would have. Luckily, the military picked-up the tab on the removal but it took some time and lots of patience to finally get it done. And LilMiss I have to say the band wasn't effective for me either. I started at 278. Three years and 2 pregnancies later I clawed my way down to 203 but I quickly gained back 43 lbs which leaves me at 246 and scared to death that I'm going to keep on gaining. I was ALWAYS hungry with the band; never could feel satisfied because food couldn't reach my stomach, I always threw up the first part of every meal and only on good days I'd be able to keep the second part down. I hated running to restrooms when we'd go out to eat, I know people had to think I was a fat bulimic! I'm so glad those days are behind me; I'm hoping to be losing like you all someday soon - your loses are so inspirational! Thanks again!

[Rainydayz 27]

I'm so glad I found this board. I was going to get the band and was already doing the prep work and all, then i started reading posts from people like you that regret the band and are revising or have revised to sleeve. So I started reading the sleeve board. Not many at all that regret getting it. Hmmmm. So anyway, thanks for being honest and letting people know.

[Elle31 1]

I have a friend that almost died from the band..she had to have emergency surgery to remove it. They said if she had shown up to the hospital an hour later..she would likely not be alive today. I never considered the band...too many complications. Thanks for sharing!

[new_beginnings_ 16]

I get teary eyed from all this support, Thank you so much...Becca, I regretted getting the band from the very first time I threw-up which was the 1st day. I was self pay $15,000 and if I'd had any money left to get that evil thing out of me sooner I would have. Luckily, the military picked-up the tab on the removal but it took some time and lots of patience to finally get it done. And LilMiss I have to say the band wasn't effective for me either. I started at 278. Three years and 2 pregnancies later I clawed my way down to 203 but I quickly gained back 43 lbs which leaves me at 246 and scared to death that I'm going to keep on gaining. I was ALWAYS hungry with the band; never could feel satisfied because food couldn't reach my stomach, I always threw up the first part of every meal and only on good days I'd be able to keep the second part down. I hated running to restrooms when we'd go out to eat, I know people had to think I was a fat bulimic! I'm so glad those days are behind me; I'm hoping to be losing like you all someday soon - your loses are so inspirational! Thanks again!

I feel your pain speedy, although I didn't have the complications you had, I can totally relate. I too felt like I was bulimic because of my band. I'm sorry that you are not able to get your sleeve yet but hopefully with time, your body will heal some of the damage your band has done. I was lucky that I changed insurance and was able to have a revision to the sleeve, otherwise I would have been stuck with it. I just had my surgery on the 6th so currently I am fighting the gas pain and also trying to drink but hopefully it will be worth it in the end. Good luck and best wishes!

Monica

[cwalker 12]

I went into my surgery yesterday (April 4th) knowing there was a possibility I wouldn't get my sleeve since I've had that horrid contraption (lapband) for nearly 5 years which never really helped me lose any weight. But when my doc told me the extent of damage that had been done I just had to wonder "How in the world is this legal to implant in people?" and I understood why I'd been feeling like total CRAP for so long. I wish I had gotten that thing out of me sooner. Now I'm stuck with permanant scarring around my stomach and since my sh**-for-brains lapand doc placed it so low on my stomach it's shaped like an hour glass with a fairly large pouch at the top. I'm so dissappointed; my doc said the only op he would do on me now is the RNY. I'm just not willing or desparate enough to try that yet. So I'm sitting here in pain from surgery and scared I'm going to start gaining again. I hope writing this helps to save someone from getting the lapband; do yourself a favor and go straight for the sleeve, the band is a lie, it doesn't help - it hurts, and their claim that it is reversible - BS!!!!! And by the way the GERD I've been suffering from since being banded was instantly relieved by getting it removed. I'm sorry to be so pissy but I'm really angry that the lapband is still being put into people. Thanks for reading and I want to thank everyone on here for the hours and hours of education I've received. I'm not giving up; I'll probably try Weight Watchers or something and I'm going to keep getting scoped to see if the scarring has stretched enough to allow a sleeve. TTFN

I love my sleeve but my daughter has done really well with RNY. I'm so sorry you had to go thru this and hope things get better and they find a way to revise you to sleeve.

[Bryn 3]

I'm so sorry you've had to experience such a negative aspect of the band and WLS in general Thank you for posting your story and informing others. It's these type of stories that made me research all the options of WLS even more. While the band does work for some, it doesn't work for others (same with other WLS's). I do hope that you don't give up your weight loss journey; whether that be no WLS or WLS. Good luck and thanks so much

[tryinagain 1]

Good luck honey, hope all goes well for you!

Jeri

[SpeedyCheeks 0]

Monica, congratulations on your revision; happy healing! You say you would have been stuck with the band but I really can't believe there is even 1 person on this planet that will be able to keep their band as a lifelong weight loss tool. Even people with no outward problems/complications suffer extensive stomach, liver, scarring and adhesion damage. I hope the band will be banned soon; I will be telling anyone who will listen about the horrors of the band. I feel so much better now that it is out of my body; I really had no idea just how miserable I had become. Anyway, I'm happy for you and knowing that there are good band to sleeve revisions gives me hope. Gas dissapating prayers goin' out to you!

And Thank you to everyone for the "love" that is so freely outpoured; this is just the best, shiniest spot on the whole internet!! Y'all rock!!

[time-4-change 1]

Oh Honey!

I am so sorry to hear that for you and for me! My sleeve surgery is scheduled for May 3 and I have had my band for 4.5 years. I haven't had a lot of trouble, just haven't lost any weight since the first year. I am praying that he can get in there, get the band out and SLEEVE ME all in the same surgery.

Take care and good luck with your recovery!

Barb

I went into my surgery yesterday (April 4th) knowing there was a possibility I wouldn't get my sleeve since I've had that horrid contraption (lapband) for nearly 5 years which never really helped me lose any weight. But when my doc told me the extent of damage that had been done I just had to wonder "How in the world is this legal to implant in people?" and I understood why I'd been feeling like total CRAP for so long. I wish I had gotten that thing out of me sooner. Now I'm stuck with permanant scarring around my stomach and since my sh**-for-brains lapand doc placed it so low on my stomach it's shaped like an hour glass with a fairly large pouch at the top. I'm so dissappointed; my doc said the only op he would do on me now is the RNY. I'm just not willing or desparate enough to try that yet. So I'm sitting here in pain from surgery and scared I'm going to start gaining again. I hope writing this helps to save someone from getting the lapband; do yourself a favor and go straight for the sleeve, the band is a lie, it doesn't help - it hurts, and their claim that it is reversible - BS!!!!! And by the way the GERD I've been suffering from since being banded was instantly relieved by getting it removed. I'm sorry to be so pissy but I'm really angry that the lapband is still being put into people. Thanks for reading and I want to thank everyone on here for the hours and hours of education I've received. I'm not giving up; I'll probably try Weight Watchers or something and I'm going to keep getting scoped to see if the scarring has stretched enough to allow a sleeve. TTFN

[lulugirl 20]

I had lap band done by Dr Aceves July 2007.. I orig weighed 215 lbs & got down to 160. I only had 2 fills but had problems with eating chicken, beef, salad, etc.. I lived on Soups, ice cream...i constantly had purging issues!

Anyway, I had the band removed July 2010, my insurance did pay for it & have now gained 30 lbs back,, YUCK, and get very depressed about it. I was afraid i had hurt my stomach, esophagus because of the purging but my doc said i was fine!

I am thinking about VSG but feel like such a failure with the lap band. I am also thinkg of using Dr kelly in TJ. Dr Aceves quoted me alot more money than Dr Kelly..

Thamks for listening!!

[NJMOMof2 17]

I had the evil lap band for a mere 3 months (blessing in disguise). After a full slip and horrid pain, I had emergency removal. I had lost 50 pounds with the pre-op and post-op diet but after the band was removed, I gained about 45 pounds back. I had the sleeve done a year and three months later and I can tell you this is a more NORMAL way of life and I have no food intolerances, no vomiting, no horrible pain. I was lucky have very minimal scarring (probably because it was in for such a short time).

That lap band should be banned.

I am so sorry for what you have been though. My sister-in-law had RNY 1 1/2 years ago is is doing GREAT with it. She has lost 160 pounds, and looks amazing. Whatever the outcome is, I hope it's one that brings you happiness.

[time-4-change 1]

Oh Honey! I feel your pain. I got my lap band in Dec 2006 and like you, did well for the first few months. After the honeymoon period, I started getting really hungry. I, too, could not eat and found myself hopping up from the table at early every meal to throw up. Yuck! I am heading back to surgery to have the "device" removed and a revision to the sleeve on May 3!! Yipee! Had my pre-op testing yesterday and the diet starts next week. The more I read, the happier I am to get the band out of there!

Take heart in knowing that you are not crazy. I have those same feelings of fear and failure. I'll keep you posted on how things go with the new surgery. I can do this! I have faith in the procedure and I am going to succeed. Ghrelin Be Gone!

Good luck!

Barb

I had lap band done by Dr Aceves July 2007.. I orig weighed 215 lbs & got down to 160. I only had 2 fills but had problems with eating chicken, beef, salad, etc.. I lived on Soups, ice cream...i constantly had purging issues!

Anyway, I had the band removed July 2010, my insurance did pay for it & have now gained 30 lbs back,, YUCK, and get very depressed about it. I was afraid i had hurt my stomach, esophagus because of the purging but my doc said i was fine!

I am thinking about VSG but feel like such a failure with the lap band. I am also thinkg of using Dr kelly in TJ. Dr Aceves quoted me alot more money than Dr Kelly..

Thamks for listening!!

[Gracey 7]

I went into my surgery yesterday (April 4th) knowing there was a possibility I wouldn't get my sleeve since I've had that horrid contraption (lapband) for nearly 5 years which never really helped me lose any weight. But when my doc told me the extent of damage that had been done I just had to wonder "How in the world is this legal to implant in people?" and I understood why I'd been feeling like total CRAP for so long. I wish I had gotten that thing out of me sooner. Now I'm stuck with permanant scarring around my stomach and since my sh**-for-brains lapand doc placed it so low on my stomach it's shaped like an hour glass with a fairly large pouch at the top. I'm so dissappointed; my doc said the only op he would do on me now is the RNY. I'm just not willing or desparate enough to try that yet. So I'm sitting here in pain from surgery and scared I'm going to start gaining again. I hope writing this helps to save someone from getting the lapband; do yourself a favor and go straight for the sleeve, the band is a lie, it doesn't help - it hurts, and their claim that it is reversible - BS!!!!! And by the way the GERD I've been suffering from since being banded was instantly relieved by getting it removed. I'm sorry to be so pissy but I'm really angry that the lapband is still being put into people. Thanks for reading and I want to thank everyone on here for the hours and hours of education I've received. I'm not giving up; I'll probably try Weight Watchers or something and I'm going to keep getting scoped to see if the scarring has stretched enough to allow a sleeve. TTFN

I feel like most of us that have had a LB deserve to be pissy!!! Have you thought about sending your story to the FDA? I think we all need to! I saw a story on some show like 20/20 and they were talking about how the FDA is looking into lowering the BMI requirement for the LB. I was shouting "nooooooo" at the TV!!!

I feel your pain speedy, although I didn't have the complications you had, I can totally relate. I too felt like I was bulimic because of my band. I'm sorry that you are not able to get your sleeve yet but hopefully with time, your body will heal some of the damage your band has done. I was lucky that I changed insurance and was able to have a revision to the sleeve, otherwise I would have been stuck with it. I just had my surgery on the 6th so currently I am fighting the gas pain and also trying to drink but hopefully it will be worth it in the end. Good luck and best wishes!

Monica

One of my friends at work used to always say that people were going to start saying I was bulimic b/c I always had to run to the RR during meals. It sucked a lot. All of my lunch friends have said to me at least once that they were worried about me, etc. Damned LB.

[new_beginnings_ 16]

One of my friends at work used to always say that people were going to start saying I was bulimic b/c I always had to run to the RR during meals. It sucked a lot. All of my lunch friends have said to me at least once that they were worried about me, etc. Damned LB.

It's unbelievable to me that I have felt so much better since my sleeve surgery... It's only been a week and a half but I guess when everyday you are used to dealing with getting 'stuck' on any kind of regular food and most of the time spitting it back up, even the post surgery pain and gas is better than that. Even though I can't eat alot right now and sometimes I get those weird cramps when I eat certain things, I have not, for one minute, regretted going through with the revision. I can tell this is the start of a beautiful relationship!