Want Band Removed, Too.....

Loreen,

Just a caution about the Topamax, I've been on it for years. I don't remember ever noticing the appetite suppression side effect. I was on it when I reached my highest weight of 285lbs and am still on it today (for a seizure disorder).

I see that you also tend to "look at menu's and food like a Bandster". Those skills will probably serve you better than the Topamax. Learning to eat healthier is the only way to come out of this experience in a positive light.

So sorry you have had a bad experience with your former band. Fortunately, that's the advantage of the band. It's easily reversed.

Good Luck with those 30 lbs.

My friend has gained a lot of weight on Topamax. I don't think that losing weight is necessarily a permanent side effect.

I wonder why WasABubblebutt hasn't chimed in on this thread. At one time she was thinking of having her band removed. Her doctor found a medication that stopped all the pbing. She still can't tolerate very much of a fill, but this medication has helped her eat a more normal diet.

I think you've made your mind up to have it removed. It sounds like you've had a bad experience all the way around, usually that's not the case. Alot of us have small issues but not enough to have it removed. The $5,000 to have it removed is a small price for piece of mind and health. You tried it and it didn't work for you, thank goodness it works and is a blessing for the masses who follow the rules of eating properly and doing what it takes on a day to day basic to be successful. The band is only a tool that can help us lose weight, not a magic cure. It's not something that we are suppose to get unfilled just because we want to eat again. I've read all the replies to your post, some great and helpful replies, yet you come back so negative on your replies. Get the band removed and be done with it.

Hi All...
I thought I'd do a short update on my successful band removal yesterday. Everything went well and I was able to come home late in the afternoon. I'm feeling so much better now that the band is gone. Here is something to keep an eye on. The surgeon who removed it found that it had been causing scar tissue to build up on my liver. This would not have been caught had I not made the wise decision to have it removed. Apparently, the band had been rubbing against my liver, thus causing the scar tissue. I have no idea how much damage was done but will certainly be following up on this with my doctor. So...after 1.5 years of PBing and vomiting, I now have liver damage. Boy, I am so glad to be free of this thing. If I could share one bit of advice, it would be to encourage those of you, whether successful or unsuccessful with the band, to please have yourself checked out for possible complications that you may not even be aware of, which could be doing significant physical damage. As in my previous reply, I plan to remain on my organic, whole foods regime, continue to increase my exercise at a reasonable rate, and enjoy the steady weight loss I am experiencing without the nasty side effects of the band. I wish you all health and success. God bless.

I had my surgery a couple years ago and have lost tons of weight. Now my port is protruding from my abdomen. I want someone to tell me what is involved in Lap Band removal and how much cutting is involved.
Tthnks
hardylj:help:

You don't have to get the band removed to fix the port if that's all that bothers you. Talk to your doc about moving it and getting a low-profile port installed. It's relatively minor work compared to removing the band itself.

My opinion would be to go for band removal. The surgeon will use the same five points of entry to remove it as when you were banded. This is not major/scary surgery and you will be better off with it out of your system. You will then never have to be plagued with complications,erosion or other possible damage because it simply won't be there. Good luck. God bless.

I take it you have lost some weight? If so, please keep in mind that it is very likely that you will regain the weight lost if you remove the band.

If it is just the port that is bothering you, consider a port replacement using a low profile port, or having it moved to a different spot.

Well, I'm three weeks out from having my Lap Band removed. My scars have all healed. I'm thrilled to have my whole stomach back again and to be able to eat, say, a roll before anything else on my plate and to drink along WITH my food.....but I can't STAND the full-stomach feeling I get if I eat too much at one sitting--I avoid that at all costs. The Topamax I'm taking still has me on a decreased-appetite ride that makes me shun food after a few bites, for the most part.

After three weeks with the Lap Band out, I have lost 4 more pounds. I am now one pound beneath my lowest weight of having the Lap Band......and I haven't PB'd in SO long!

Still happy with my choice so far. :clap2:

I know how you feel! I had my band in 5-06 and just had it removed 11-1-07. I feel like a different person. I can eat a piece of chicken without running to the bathroom. I can eat a piece of toast without having to soak it in milk. My band was giving me problems since about 5 months post op. It got so bad that my 3 year old would look at me and say Moms food is stuck she has to go throw up. It was a horrible experience. I did not loose weight and I think that is because I ate whatever I could keep down which happened to be high fat and high carb foods. The surgeon that removed my band said that the band had started to erode into my stomach but since I was vomiting all the time the band had actually slipped up and was restricting my esophogus. NICE! Needless to say I am lucky to have had such an INCREDIBLE surgeon. Also, I feel SO much better already. In fact today I ate grilled chicken for the first time in well over a year! My advice to you is have the band removed! If your having these feelings and thoughts it is for a reason. Don't chance your long term health, it just is not worth it!
BEST of luck to you!

Hi Gals...
I had my band removed on Nov 5th and, although still a bit sore, am so happy to have it gone. I can only echo the relief of no longer having to vomit at any given time and for any given bite of anything. To have gone a full week without throwing up seems to be such a blessing. I totally disagree with the naysayers who are predicting weight gain for those of us who have the band removed. I don't understand why someone would want to plant those kinds of negative seeds. I believe we can do it, gals...and do it in a healthier, less physically risky way. I wish you God's best. Again, do not accept the prophecies of doom. We can, and will get rid of this excess weight. Seek out whatever support works for you and do not fear or underestimate your ability to create a healthy nutritional lifestyle.

Hi Scout,

I had my band removed on Friday, Nov. 9th. I had to have an emerg surgery from slippage - second one in the 6 months I had my band. Seems like everytime I would get a fill, it would close up on me and slip. This last time was really bad though.
I will say that I am actually looking forward to my journey without the band! I will admit, I love to eat. But I have lost 130 lbs before on WW, I will use WW again to help me get to my goal weight!
As long as you have faith in yourself, it can be done! Don't listen to others, only listen to yourself!

Have a great one! :)

How does the band slip of it's sutured to hold it down? I was banded on 10-03-07. I have lost 28 lbs. But I follow everything to the T. This is not a miracle cure. What has to change is one's attitude towards food. I am lucky not to have to be morbidly overweight. My BMI was only 35. I started at 210. I'm 5'6 and now I'm at 182. My goal is 150. I am very happy and I haven't had any problems so far. I wish it could be this way for everyone. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do. As for all the other bandsters....keep up the good work!

Hey girl! I am feeling your pain. I thought I wanted to convert to gastric bypass, but, I am real scared of that. However, I do want this "band" out of me. I feel like it is my enemy. I am sick and tired of this. I refuse to go to the doctor who originally banded me bc he is such a jerk. I don't know what to do. I am considering going to a general surgeon and seeing if he will take it out for me. I have not been successful on this band journey, but CONGRATS to those who have and Good Luck to those who are starting their journey.

Hello - I'm scheduled for surgery 11/28th and am really nervous about not being able to eat once banded ... I hear of folks getting food stuck and having to go to the ER. Just how small do you really have to chew your food to get it to go through the band? How do you know when the food is stuck?