new and seeking advice re removal

[La_madam 20]

I guess my biggest question is - if I get the band removed, can I revert to eating anything easily? Does the band area have scarring that essentially means I'll have restriction anyway?

I can only speak for myself. I had my band removed due to erosion on November 28 2005 after having it for 18 months and losing 104 lbs. You may have initial restriction after the band is removed due to scar tissue I did for a week or so, I think it was just from the sweliing of surgery. You will be able to eat anything and everything you want with no restriction.. I know I live it daily. I struggle, I battle this demon daily but proud to say I am winning this battle and beating the demon. It can be done but in my opinion it is definately a head thing. If you are not right in your head, not band, no diet, no bypass will work long term PERIOD! I am finally right in myhead after a 40 yr long fight. Since Nov 28 2005 I have gained 6-8 lbs. To me that is normal for any woman given any time of the month. If you are being true to yourself about finally understandig why you ate and the way you ate then maybe you will be successful in maintaining your weight loss like I have. You are the only one who can do it...band or no band. Just because we had the band we still had to do some of the work, the band did not do it all. Best of luck you on whatever you decide.

[Mrs D 0]

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a while and wanted to finally de-lurk and ask for some help.

I've been banded nearly 3 years and have lost 25-35 kg /55-77 lbs(depends on several factors!). My surgeon wanted me to lose at least 50kg /110 lbs (ie, 2/3rds of my excess weight), so I am a way off.

The problem is that I've had some quite ghastly psychological problems which I think are related to the band. Facing a few situations over the last 18 months and not having food to fall back on resulted in me having a horrible depressive episode/nervous breakdown late in 2005. I've spent all of 2006 seeing a psychologist and my doctor regularly and I finally feel like I'm back on track.

And now I think I really want my band removed. I feel deprived, short-changed and generally annoyed. I haven't brought this up with my dr or psychologist yet (it's Summer here in Australia, everyone's on holiday, including me!) but I wanted to seek opinions from people who've been there done that.

I guess my biggest question is - if I get the band removed, can I revert to eating anything easily? Does the band area have scarring that essentially means I'll have restriction anyway?

It's not like I want to eat everything in sight. I want to have a salad sandwich for lunch, be able to have dinner with friends and not have to worry when nothing on the menu looks band-friendly, etc. And we all know that the junk slides down really easily!

I've written a heap here and it's only the tip of the iceberg, really, but I won't bore you all with that! I'm also going to be away from computer access for a few days (how will I survive??) so if you are kind enough to respond, please don't feel I'm ignoring you.

I look forward to any insights you have!

marrakesh.

Hi I had my band removed two weeks ago. This was due to mrsa. My opp was quite traumatic as they had a job to get the band out.I still cant eat large amounts which is great, but i am finding i can almost eat anything. I still find bread a problem. And if i do eat to much I get stomach cramps. The main problem that I have is I am in quite an emotinal state, and i have nad a few bottles of wine. I no this is not good but its my way of coping at the moment.I have gained about 4 to five pounds which has really freaked me out. But I am trying to stay positive.Mrs D

[ReneBean 3]

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.

I am so glad you went for the unfill, first. That is the beauty of the band. With less fill, you should be able to eat salads and other normal food...

When and if you are ready, you can always get more fill - maybe to a looser amt than you have had - to help you maintain control.

Good luck with your psychological process. I know that there is no way to succeed long term if you feel horribly deprived.

Hugs!!

[Kayford 0]

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a while and wanted to finally de-lurk and ask for some help.

I've been banded nearly 3 years and have lost 25-35 kg /55-77 lbs(depends on several factors!). My surgeon wanted me to lose at least 50kg /110 lbs (ie, 2/3rds of my excess weight), so I am a way off.

The problem is that I've had some quite ghastly psychological problems which I think are related to the band. Facing a few situations over the last 18 months and not having food to fall back on resulted in me having a horrible depressive episode/nervous breakdown late in 2005. I've spent all of 2006 seeing a psychologist and my doctor regularly and I finally feel like I'm back on track.

And now I think I really want my band removed. I feel deprived, short-changed and generally annoyed. I haven't brought this up with my dr or psychologist yet (it's Summer here in Australia, everyone's on holiday, including me!) but I wanted to seek opinions from people who've been there done that.

I guess my biggest question is - if I get the band removed, can I revert to eating anything easily? Does the band area have scarring that essentially means I'll have restriction anyway?

It's not like I want to eat everything in sight. I want to have a salad sandwich for lunch, be able to have dinner with friends and not have to worry when nothing on the menu looks band-friendly, etc. And we all know that the junk slides down really easily!

I've written a heap here and it's only the tip of the iceberg, really, but I won't bore you all with that! I'm also going to be away from computer access for a few days (how will I survive??) so if you are kind enough to respond, please don't feel I'm ignoring you.

I look forward to any insights you have!

marrakesh.

Only you can make the decision but why don't you just get a total unfill and see what happens. See how you handle stress and you should be able to eat about anything with it unfilled. Just be 100% sure you can deal with life with your lapband (tool) removed.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I can't say I was depressed but I can tell you that I had a horrible time the first month. One moment I'd think this was the best thing I could have ever done and a split second later I was in tears wondering what I just got myself into.

It was a rollar coaster of emotions. It's normal and the way things are supposed to be.

I have a friend that whizzed right through surgery, was excited about everything and the day she scheduled her first fill she was teary and upset. She'd be laughing one minute and break down in tears the next minute. Wanted to cancel the fill appt because she just knew she would have a cold. A WEEK BEFORE THE FILL??

Finally had the fill and now she is back on track and doing everything right.

[kedasmom 10]

Marrakesh, First off you need to talk to your doctors, and tell them everything you wrote here. Then they will help you deside what steps to take next. Having the band removed is a big step backwards, since we all had this done because we couldn't get the weight off by ourselves we have to expect to be back in the same boat as before surgery. Right now I have no restriction, I've had 1 fill (1cc) I can eat whatever, as long as I, chew an chew. But I'm up and down on the scale and at this rate I'll never lose. So if anything I would talk to them about about unfilling your band and see how that goes. Talk to your Doctors.

[maygoddess 53]

From what I recall..Sharon Osbourne had her band put in at Cedars Sinai around 1999...so not quite 10 years as stated..so I think she has an Inamed band rather than a swedish.

I did see her on Dr Phil last month talk about wanting to remove the band. She is not having it removed because she thinks "it has done its job"...her doctor would tell her..once out..you will gain it back. Dr Phil questioned her on how she thinks she will handle life without the band...and she is scared she will revert to old habits..she admits she likes to eat. Dr Phil offered to help her through it..rather than have her go to a shrink which is what she thinks she needs to do.

Closer to the truth is she is probably tired of the band and its restrictions on what you can eat. I think I read an interview with her kids that she would throw up all the time..which means she was probably overeating on her restriction or eating too fast, not chewing, etc, she may have even said she had acid reflux alot..and she would rather not deal with the extra work it requires to think about what you can eat.

I have been banded almost 5 years..it was a slow and steady loss of 125lbs to date...I probably could lose another 10-15lbs..some I know will be loose skin if I ever get everything nipped and tucked..but I like where I am right now wearing size 6,8, 10's which I never have in my life!

I too get days of frustration when I slime up when drinking liqiuds or something gets stuck or I really want to eat more of something yummy or worry at a restaurant if I am near a restroom in case something gets stuck there..it does become a hassle, but I know that these hassles are much easier to deal with than 125lbs on my body..so I deal with it.

Anyway..wanted to add to the thread what I knew. I was banded in 2002, so I know Sharon was banded that much longer than me!

Patty

Dr Kuri

Banded 8/13/02

-125lbs

[nancynancy 0]

I haven't been banded yet but know about depression first hand - I was diagnosed years ago. I have been on meds for years and they make a huge difference. I also understand using food as a means of dealing with life's iussues. My thoughts about this are that, though you may feel that food "deprevation" is the cause for the depression, I would suggest you dig for more (it sounds like you've started to since you are seeing a doctor). For me, eating was/is the way I deal with so many issues in my life that I DON'T want to deal with. It is a struggle for me and I suspect it will always be but... over time and with help from others, I have learned some tools to get me through the hard times. Food still plays a part in that but once I'm banded it will be taken out of the equasion. I'm pretty confident that the tools I have learned will help me get through the tough times, without food as a factor. I think someone suggested having your fill taken out. That may be a good way to start. You may feel less deprived and it may give you the lift you need to get past the tough time's but without turning to food so drastically. I hope that you continue to analyse your feelings and the possible reasons for the depression - for most it was not just one things. I know I have a whole bunch of reasons but with help (and prayer for guidance and courage) I am working throuigh them. I hope and pray you can too. What you decide to do is truley up to you. I hope what ever decison you make has the effect you are looking for.