Recovery Time..after Lap Band Removal?

[Baba Wawa 543]

I am scheduled to have my band removed on Tuesday. I was wondering what the recovery time should be. I am hoping to be back at work on Friday or Saturday.

I don't want to use too much time because I am suppose to be able to have another band place in 4-6 weeks.

Any info would be great!!

I caution you to rethink getting another band, unless your current band is the old 4 cc band. I don't know of one person who's had the newer lapbands or realize bands who've kept their second band and I know many who have had them replaced. They've, without exception, had additional surgeries to remove/revise.

[jesces 2]

Got mine out 2 days ago after having it 9 plus years. It only took about half and hour and I had very little pain after. Already switched to motrin instead of Lortab. Lots of nauseau, but other than that..doing great. I will never have another weight loss surgery. So excited to eat fresh veggies and fruits without worry!!

[sp0817lp 1]

I just had my lapband removed 3 days ago. I was told removing it would be a rather straight forward operation. I had it put in in NC and removed 4 years later in MI. Boy, was I mistaken. The Dr. added 5 more scars to my belly and I am in horrible shape. It hurts to breathe, so I am taking small shallow breaths. My sides hurt so much that sitting and getting the bed feels like someone is stabbing you with a knife. I also have a low grade fever of 101.4. I have paged the doctor on call, who happens to be mine, but they say they cannot reach him and to go to the ER! They most likely have never dealt with this before. I got mine removed because I am sick of being sick and no weight loss!

What tips and advice did you doctor give you before you left the hospital to check out? Mine doesn't come back and see his patients. How long is this going to last!!! I have not even had a BM yet and I am on Oxycodone.

Help. This suffering is unbearable!

[sp0817lp 1]

Update:

Yesterday made two weeks since I had the removal.I am eating normally, though cautious. Still so tired that shopping for groceries requires that I sit in the store every 20 min. I was prepared for that!

Pain wise, there is so much more pain assiciated with getting it out than putting it in. For those wanting and needing to return to work, be careful.

I went off pain pills about a week after surgery, then this inexplicable pain appeared in my ribcage area and It hurts to lie down. I have been sitting up and am so ready for sleep. Crazy!

[balbuquerque 85]

Spo817 how are you doing? Hope you are feeling better.

[sp0817lp 1]

Dear Balbuquerque,

Thanks for asking. Things took a turn for the worse. Just two days after my post from March, I went to the ER and was admitted to the hospital for 9 days! Turns out that the surgeon (I guess) or the hospital was at fault-- anyway, I got an infection just around the diaphram and my lungs filled with fluid!! The ER called in an interventional radiologist and they drained my lungs. From there, I had to have a chest tube put in and a drain for the infections. Two tubes!!

I am out after a week and a half and on antiobiotics at home. They were considering chest surgery but now it is just wait and see. I have appts. this week with a pulminologist and a thorassic surgeon.

On a good note, I can eat normally again and have lost 12 pounds since having the lap band removed!!!

[balbuquerque 85]

I'm so sorry you went through that. I hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted.

[lady-t23 0]

I had my band done 8/2008 and it removed 9/30/13...my dr. was great, I had to stay a week in the hosp also had to have a hernia repair, was on clear liquid to 3day, they change my diet to reg could not eat, had to change it back to clear liquid, but the pain OMG is all I can say, today 10/26/13 the pain is still bad, im still on pain meds, I cant drive for the pain, very tired, also having to take B12 shots, I can eat very small meals, the Dr. told me I had a lot of scare tissue so I have to wait until after thanksgiving to have my sleeve done, really not for sure if im going to have it done, I cant take this pain, I still can not go back to work, cant set or walk for a very long time, because of the pain, feel so tired, it really hurt where the port was....I hope this can help someone

[JustinRhodes 2]

I had my band placed in 12/2011. it slipped and eroded. The port migrated toward the skin with a pocket of Fluid which eventually burst, leaving the port exposed.

I had surgery to remove the band on 10/3/2013. Had a laundry list of complications and ended up in the hospital for 19 days, ended up having a second operation to re-repair the hole in my stomach. I'm finally at home on a home healthcare program, infusing TPN and antibiotics on a daily basis through a PICC line. HHC nurse comes by three times a week to check on me, change PICC dressing, and draw blood as necessary.

No shortage of pain. I have a choice of liquid Lortab or liquid Tylenol to manage it depending on the severity. Still, I feel I'm getting a little better each day. hopefully i'll be back to work in about two more weeks.