Lap Band Removal Surgery

[jakian3 3]

Hello everyone, my name is Jackie and I was banded in 2007. I am due to have my Lap Band removed on March 12th. Anyone out there had theirs removed? I have had Port Pain for many, many years. Also I have had unexplained infections with unknown orgins and I have always wondered if it could be coming from the Lap Band.... any thoughts???

[2muchfun 8,927]

I think you can find much support and info here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

[Bandarella 223]

Hello everyone, my name is Jackie and I was banded in 2007. I am due to have my Lap Band removed on March 12th. Anyone out there had theirs removed? I have had Port Pain for many, many years. Also I have had unexplained infections with unknown orgins and I have always wondered if it could be coming from the Lap Band.... any thoughts???

Yes, I had my band removed several months ago. Port infections can originate at the band site and migrate along the tubing to the port. I had band complications that included achalasia like symptoms. I have no plans to revise on the advice of my esophageal specialist. Best of luck to you!

_______________________________________________________________

2muchfun:

#2

I think you can find much support and info here: http://www.bariatric...eeve-revisions/

Like This

Fat loss vs. muscle gained: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=PBJziqgrQgk

You assumed the OP was interested in a revision, specifically sleeve. That's pretty silly.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Hello everyone, my name is Jackie and I was banded in 2007. I am due to have my Lap Band removed on March 12th. Anyone out there had theirs removed? I have had Port Pain for many, many years. Also I have had unexplained infections with unknown orgins and I have always wondered if it could be coming from the Lap Band.... any thoughts???

Yes, I had my band removed several months ago. Port infections can originate at the band site and migrate along the tubing to the port. I had band complications that included achalasia like symptoms. I have no plans to revise on the advice of my esophageal specialist. Best of luck to you!

_______________________________________________________________

2muchfun:

#2

I think you can find much support and info here: http://www.bariatric...eeve-revisions/

Like This

Fat loss vs. muscle gained: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=PBJziqgrQgk

You assumed the OP was interested in a revision, specifically sleeve. That's pretty silly.

You're one of the very few X-Banders who lurk here offering advice so I sent her where the numbers are. Now she has the benefit of your story and the opportunity to explore many more bandless patients.

[Skywalker 170]

You assumed the OP was interested in a revision, specifically sleeve. That's pretty silly.

And what's wrong with him offering her different links on both band removal/complication, as well as revision links in case she's interested?

[Bandarella 223]

The OP asked for the experience of those who have had their band removed. On the revision board, most have had removal/revision in one surgery. Life post band without revision has it's own challenges. Recovery from removal can be very quick and easy or much more complex. Not everyone who loses their band can revise. In the complications forum there is a thread called Life after Lapband Removal.... Might have been a more relevant resource to offer up. Since TMF has used silly to describe my posting content, it was just a friendly reminder that we can all be silly at times.

Edited March 2, 2014 by Bandarella

[hiddnstar 167]

Hello everyone, my name is Jackie and I was banded in 2007. I am due to have my Lap Band removed on March 12th. Anyone out there had theirs removed? I have had Port Pain for many, many years. Also I have had unexplained infections with unknown orgins and I have always wondered if it could be coming from the Lap Band.... any thoughts???

HI! I was banded in 2010 and unbanded 3 years later, just last Sept. I didn't have the symptoms you are talking about or infections (my body simply could not handle the band), but since I had the band removed, I can comment on that part. Removal for me was pretty easy. I spent the night in the hospital; nausea was my biggest complaint. They gave me nausea meds and by the time I went home in the morning, it was gone.

My surgeon ordered 5 walks a day during my recovery time at home, which was great! I structured my day around that and it really helped.

I feel so much more healthy now, my hands are warm again and my digestion feels natural again.

Since you are having repeated infections and pain, I think you will most likely feel a lot better after removal and healing---and complete healing of the infections. My thoughts for your situation are to heal completely (including emotionally), eat healthy, exercise as you can, and then see where you are and what is best at that time.

I don't regret getting the band and I lost a lot of weight; I had it removed because my body rejected it and could not tolerate the fills. I will not be revising. I lost 10 more pounds right after surgery, then gained, now am back to losing again. It is slow going, but I feel so good and healthy now. The band simply wasnt for me

Once you feel good and healthy again, you may have a much more clear view of what your next step should be. I've heard lots of people have success with diet and exercise after band removal because they learned so much while they had the band! They also have lost enough weight, while they had the band, to be more active--and have a real sense of what is possible.

So keep your chin up and stay motivated to reach your goal!

I'm so sorry you have had these problems with pain and infections. It was a brave thing to have the band placed and it is a brave and intellegent thing to have it removed when it truly needs to come out.

Hang in there no matter what!

~hiddn~

[jakian3 3]

I really appreciate all your responses. I am just going to have the band removed and not get a revision. Researched the sleeve but same complications like vomiting, burping, gas, etc., as banding minus port pain and maybe infection. Have a head start with weight I lost 7 years ago and way I have been eating for many years, so been educated.

[hiddnstar 167]

I really appreciate all your responses. I am just going to have the band removed and not get a revision. Researched the sleeve but same complications like vomiting, burping, gas, etc., as banding minus port pain and maybe infection. Have a head start with weight I lost 7 years ago and way I have been eating for many years, so been educated.

Sounds like you know what is best for you and that's the way to go. And it's great to have a head start!!

Having the band removed was life changing for me since I had been so miserable for so long---and it sounds like it will be the same for you. Enjoy feeling good again!!! It just about knocks me off my feet every day I am grateful for it all: Being banded, being unbanded, band-friends I made, everything I've learned along the way, and especially to know how very fortunate I am in so many ways.

You're going to do great!

~hiddn~

[PhatKat1127 55]

I only had my band 1year 2 months.

Just had my band removed on Feb 19 2014

Due to band intolerance. Something I was never told was even a risk. I am Sooo mad and trying to have the sleeve done but so far looks like my insurance isn't gonna budge. I had it removed by my new surgeon since I feel my primary surgeon really didn't give a damn about me.

The surgery wasn't too bad I am still in pain can't lay on my sides and since my 1st surgeon used mesh my Current surgeon said it would be difficult removing the port. I still have pain in my port area. I feel soo empty and much like a failure. I only lost total 20 lbs since I just yoyo'd on the additional 20 I had lost.

[duckydoom 128]

I'm at the point where I've asked for removal. I've had it 18 months, and have had nothing but issues, and I'm nowhere near my goal weight (which is frustrating since I'm throwing up all of the time...) They keep calling it a "fussy band." I have other words for it, but I think intolerance is a good way to describe it. It was so frustrating to have hope in this as a tool, only to have so much trouble with it. I know what you mean when you say you feel like a failure. You're not at all! But it still is so frustrating to not get anywhere when others have had such awesome stories to share.

Can I ask how long your recovery was from the removal surgery? I'm really not looking forward to another abdominal surgery, and I don't plan on getting any sort of a revision to a sleeve or bypass. I just need to have an idea about how much time to save up for recovery.

[jakian3 3]

Hi Duckydoom, I have not had it removed yet. In 36 hours, can't wait. Had so much port pain last night that I barely slept. I will have no revision so I hope I come home same day or next morning. My surgeon didn't put me on any diet before or after surgery. I had heard some people go on liquids diets before and also after..... Any word??????

[hiddnstar 167]

Hi Duckydoom, I have not had it removed yet. In 36 hours, can't wait. Had so much port pain last night that I barely slept. I will have no revision so I hope I come home same day or next morning. My surgeon didn't put me on any diet before or after surgery. I had heard some people go on liquids diets before and also after..... Any word??????

HI!

I had my band removed last September. I was not on any special pre-op diet. Just nothing to eat or drink after midnight, basic surgery orders.

I recovered quickly from the surgery, nothing like having the band implanted!

I stayed in the hospital over night. My biggest problem was nausea, but they put meds in my IV that really helped.

I was sore and took pain meds once I got home. I made sure to walk at least 10 minutes every hour and a half during waking hours.

Im sorry you are in such pain right now. I hope you get the instant relief that I got once it was out!

Take good care.

love, ~hiddn~

[duckydoom 128]

Hi Duckydoom, I have not had it removed yet. In 36 hours, can't wait. Had so much port pain last night that I barely slept. I will have no revision so I hope I come home same day or next morning. My surgeon didn't put me on any diet before or after surgery. I had heard some people go on liquids diets before and also after..... Any word??????

I am thinking it would be as hiddnstar said, standard surgery prep, and then liquids for a bit after? When they did my unfill I was on full liquids then mushies, then graduated back to solids, and the problems started up again. I have another post where someone said it sounds like my band has slipped... so hopefully Monday when I go in for my appointment I can get some sort of word on if that's the case or not. I'm now waffling... I want this to work so badly, but does that outweigh the frustrations? Sigh.

Best of luck to you in your surgery, if it's okay I'd like to know how you're doing afterwards as well!

[jakian3 3]

I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!!! You have all been so helpful. Just in case I just had a Special K waffle today with the Antibiotic my surgeon sent me and plan to spend the rest of the day on Gatorade. I guess better safe than sorry. Don't want much in my stomach tomorrow when Lap Band comes out. As soon as I can post I will let you guys know how it went. Thank you so much for all of your well wishes. Soon to be BandLESS, Jackie. XOXO