new and seeking advice re removal

[ser123 0]

This is a thread about Sharon Osbourne, and the 18th post has a synopsis of an interview she did with Dr. Phil about her band. The way I read the synopsis is that she doesn't want to have the band in anymore because she misses eating, not because she developed bulima nor because the band reached its lifespan limitations. However, I did not watch the show and I don't know if the transcript is accurate so my third hand knowledge certainly may be wrong. Also, I may have misinterpreted the information.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/dr-phil-tomorrow-t26767p2.html?highlight=sharon+osbourne

[marrakesh 0]

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for the encouraging posts (and the nifty info about Sharon Osbourne!). I just came from an appointment with a surgeon (not the one who did my band, but another guy in the same practice). He was supportive of whatever I choose to do, but he did encourage me to keep the band and have a good think. I got him to take out the fill I had (about 1.5 cc) and I'm going to have a barium swallow test next week to rule out any physical problem with the band. I've just had dinner and it didn't exactly slide down so I think I have some restriction even with no fill.

I'm going to see him again in 3 weeks, and meanwhile have the barium test, see my doc and psych, and do some thinking. I guess that seeing as I have the band, it would be better to work with it rather than go all out to remove it... I dunno.

Anyway, thanks again and I'll try to post (and read!) more often.

[ser123 0]

Marrakesh,

Good luck to you on your path whatever you decide. I am glad you got the unfill so that you have some sense of less restriction while you are thinking.

Keep us all informed...

[lmd 0]

Ten year life span? The band is not a breast implant. Who ever posted this is getting there prosthetics confused. Sharon Osborne is having the band removed because she is bulemic. So I'm sure she has created a lot of problems because of this. You may have major psycholgical issues which I'm sure you are aware of. As far as your medical problems when they are eventually resolved you can truly enjoy the benefits of the band. Please use all the professional resources that are available to you. Good luck to you.

[Nursedeeva 0]

I have asked everyone surgeon in the world and even called the Bariatric Surgery Board. The band is intended to stay in forever unless you develop some complications.

[sunseeker37 0]

One of the surgeons that I contacted regarding the surgery has advised that the band is intended to come out after ten years and that surgery would cost about $2000 less than the original surgery! I am encouraged by the last post though. Can anyone else confirm this?

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Inamed is pretty clear about this. It is intended to be forever.

[argon 3]

Sunseeker, can you tell me which surgeon told you that?

[Iluvmyboys 1]

Has anyone here heard of the BIB balloon? I had my band removed and

cannot affor to go the band route agian, but just heard of the BIB Balloon and was wondering if anyone has heard anything about it being good or bad, works or not? Thanks, I appreciate the input!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I'm familiar with it. Usually they only use it when someone is malignantly obese and they use it to get their weight down to a reasonable number so they CAN do surgery. As soon as it is removed the person gains weight back. I can't remember exact numbers but I think they have to be replaced every six months or so.

There are other complications such as leaks and then it goes through your GI system.

Honestly, it's not a very good option.

What about VSG?

[*susan* 1,709]

My surgeon said there is no reason to ever have my band removed, that as long as I want it, it is there for life.

[tanya67 0]

My surgeon was a bit more conservative about life span of the band, he said that although it should be for life, it is an unknown quantity, and may need replacing somewhere down the line.

Tanya xx

[Iluvmyboys 1]

I would like to meet the person who has had it for 10+ years!

[Sugarbear 2]

If I returned to my pre-Band eating habits I would die. Period. Literally.

As it is, I'm quite satisfied trading those oink-fests and pasta-creamJumbocrispy~doubleglazedchocoChip~extrasauce&morecheese bag o'burgerheart~killers for these:

1) NO insulin shots!

2) Markedly less medications;

3) No CPAP;

4) No continuing bleeding retinas;

5) No high BP;

6) Being able to wear clothing that doesn't start with 'XXXX';

7) Becoming a 'non-invisible' person that clerks in stores will now deign to offer help;

8) Not being the largest person in the room every where I go;

9) Not being at the '84 times more likely to die' due to multiple co-morbidities all resulting from stuffing my face as a full-time hobby;

10) Entertaining notions I may even be capable of driving myself across the country to visit my grandchildren without a chaperone to ship my carcass back should I fall over in a lather at the VIP line at Bubba's Stuff It Shack;

When I get the munchies for my old favorite gutbombs, I go slip into the size 58 sweat shorts I saved for such an occassion....and somehow my fascination with greasePie with fudgeDelightsauce somehow slips away....

And those instances grow ever less frequent as I accumulate ever more reasons that demonstrate 'Life as a Normo' is a whole lot easier and a whole lot more fun, than as a BMI 47.5.......

good luck to us all on the Journey....

AMEN JACK!!!!!!!!!!!

I was just banded 3/07. I don't know what caught my eye to read this thread. It is very disheartening. Thank you Jack for putting me back to the correct frame of mind. I am just starting my journey to what I hope is better health. It took me a long time to make this decision and I feel it was a good one and a safe one. I needed a "tool" to help me with long term weightloss, I think I found it. I hope I am as successful as you. When I get down I am going to come back and read your post! Thanks again.

[fabfatgrl 10]

We must have been banded at the same time pretty much. I've had my Band for almost 6 years. I got it unfilled after 18 months due to pregnancy. In many ways, that was wonderful. I could EAT again. I didn't feel like I was starving myself. I didn't have to worry about PBing... things getting stuck...etc. (Well, pretty much... things still get stuck but it's rare... 3-4/x year.) Through two pregnancies, I maintained most of my weight loss, so that was great. I think the unfill is one of the great aspects of the Band. You can take a break. You can't do that with any other surgery.

As for Sharon Osbourne and the life of the Band... you don't know which Band she has. She's had her Band for 10 years.. so 1996-1997. I think the only Band in use back then was the Obtech Swedish Band. If Inamed had a Band out, it was a very early version. I don't think the Mid-Band was out either. So while the Lap-Band's lifespan may be unlimited, we really don't know about the Band that Sharon had.