Lap band removal question

[Green1 16]

I know many people have issues with the lap band. If someone realizes they made some sort of mistake getting the band.. and it effects their life in a negative way.. can they get it removed? The doctor told me after 3 years I could get it removed if I want. I get a lot of discomfort because of the surgery.. he said it has something to do with the port. I know many people get the lap band surgery removed in an emergency.

[nikki_lesueur 2]

yes you can have it removed at anytime. I had mine removed 3 months ago, because I could not eat or drink liquids, AND I STILL CANT. It has done major damage to my body. I would schedule a removal. OR if you dont want to, Id get the port removed (my father did this) and now just has the band. and he benifits still.

email with any questions, happy to help. nikkidewitt1223@gmail.com

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

@@Green1, as your surgeon told you, the band and port can be removed. Why don't you ask why he specified three years? If there is a problem with the port alone, ask the surgeon if repositioning it may be a solution. I'll say no more, as you gave no real information on your history with the band and port. You'll do well to pose specific questions to the surgeon.

[Green1 16]

@@Green1, as your surgeon told you, the band and port can be removed. Why don't you ask why he specified three years? If there is a problem with the port alone, ask the surgeon if repositioning it may be a solution. I'll say no more, as you gave no real information on your history with the band and port. You'll do well to pose specific questions to the surgeon.

Thanks for the replies. I just feel the band in my stomach. The doctor said there must be a problem with the port. It causes over all discomfort when I sit down. It used to be something like my breathing was affected also. When I sit down I feel cramping in my abdominal. This cramping really stinks.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

@@Green1, I'm no surgeon, but have you had a complete abdominal ultrasound? Or whatever type of imaging that would show positioning of the band and the port? I'm wondering if you may have a hernia somewhere in there if the pain is always in the same place. If it is, you may (only may; not for sure) feel a lump rising if you press your hand against it when you cough, for example. I say this because I do and a complete abdominal ultrasound shows that I do appear to have hernia. I first saw a gastroenterologist who ordered the ultra sound and went over it with me. I'll be taking the CD and written report to my band surgeon who is a general surgeon and whom I'd have take care of the hernia of it becomes more painful than I want to live with. I'm not diagnosing you, just throwing out one possibility. you

If this has been going on since you were banded, ask the surgeon why he said three years before removal. You need more info than you seem to have been given and it may be a combination: that you haven't been quite specific with him about what you experience.

Edited January 27, 2016 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[Green1 16]

I just saw the doctor on Thursday. Apparently he said my insurance does not cover removal. Its kind of a difficult situation I think I made a bad decision. It doesn't seem normal that they would do a surgery but once I lost all the weight I have this for life. They are doctors at a hospital and they've done this surgery thousands of times I hear.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

The expectation is that, barring unusual circumstances, the band would remain. It serves to maintain the weight loss.

If your band is in fact a problem in medical terms, it would make no sense that your insurance plan would not cover removal. If a person wants the band removed for non-medical reasons, then I can see the plan refusing to pay.