officially band-less as of 1wk

[mica 0]

Long story short, banded 18 mths ago, loved it, pretty much at goal wt., when I began experiencing extreme abd. pain and bloating, following 2 hospitalizations and a whole ----load of tests, found out my band had eroded into my stomach. Off to TJ I go where a normally 1 hr removal surgery turns into a 3 hr. struggle where surgeons painstakingly remove piles of scar tissue and adhesions (which were causing the severe symptoms of bowel obstruction) from my stomach, liver and the worst spot, where the tubing had adhered to the small bowel and had begun to work its way into it! I was in hosp for 4 days, flew home 4 hr flight and 10 hrs later I made it home! It ended up costing me another $1,000.00 than quoted due to the extended time in hosp. and in the OR. I have the laparoscopic openings in my abd. as well as a very nice big 4 inch suture line that they had to put in because they weren't able to access all the adhesions etc... with the lap instruments.I was so happy to get home but am sad about losing my good friend and hoping that I can maintain my weight loss on my own!I am hoping to here from anyone else out there that has experienced a similar problem.

I am now on the healing phase of the journey, still on a liquid, moving into mushie phase. Thanks for listening all.

[Headhunter 6]

Hi, Mica;

I'm Glad everything turned out ok.

You had something similar to me....The tube from the band did indeed erode it's way INSIDE of my Colon. I've got some great pictures of it winding around inside of my plumbing! The Surgery to remove the Band and it's remnants was long and ugly. I spent a couple of weeks in the hospital, and was lucky to have made it out alive.

You know, there IS life after the Band. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But that doesn't mean that weight loss has to stop. Many, Many people have gone on to continue their weight loss, and get healthy, in their post-band life. It's going to be harder without the band (maybe, maybe not!), but what you have to do is simply to continue to eat in the SAME way that you did when you had the Band. Easier said than done, I know, but it IS doable.

Think of all you've gone through with the Band. Having it put in. Recovery. learning to live with PBing, sliming, and everything else that you had to learn to deal with. And then the removal and recovery from that. And all of the money you have invested in the entire process.

You need to let all of that be your personal catalyst in continuing this process. Don't let all of that pain, suffering, and money go to waste.

It;s the beginning of a new era in your life, and although you may not believe it now, you CAN do this without the Band.

You do have the personal power and ability to move forward and turn this setback into a success. I firmly believe that.

Make a plan; put it in writing; decide exactly what you are going to do from THIS MOMENT FORWARD, and work the plan - every day.

Let us all here know what the plan is, we can help keep you on track.

Keep us posted as you heal....you've been through a lot!

HH:smile:

[ellendeette 1]

I just had my band removed last Thursday and I'm feeling quite sad. It helped me lose 80 pounds. I was climbing into a kayak and it made my band twist and turn so I had to have it taken it out. I would also like to hear from others that you can continue to lose weight after the band is out. I know I have the option of having it put it in again but the time and expense is quite great. My doctors have assured me that I should continue to do what I was doing while the band was in me but I can't help but feel apprehensive that I may slowly increase the amount of food and cravings will return. Right now I have no appetite (thank God!) but its only been two days since surgery. I plan on continuing with my support meetings and eating the small amounts of food, drinking lots of Water, exercise, etc. If any one else is out there in the same boat I am in (without a band), please post and let me know how you are doing. My band and I had quite a system going and know I lost my powerful tool.

[stepoffaith 0]

These stories scare me as I have had some pain the last year but they keep assuring me its not my band. I have had 2 CT scans, one a year ago, one last Friday. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy this Friday. The docs think it could be scar tissue from previous surgeries but I am still a bit worried and would like to know whats really up. I admire all of you and your attitudes and wish you all the best in maintaining your weight loss.

[ellendeette 1]

Half of the battle is finding out what the problem is. Having lots of tests helps. Good luck to you too! Please send a post after you have your test. I was half hoping I had a broken or fractured rib rather than a twisted band but after x-ray and catscan it was confirmed it was my band.