I originally had the band in Feb 2009. I have to have band replacement surgery in 2011 because it had slipped. I had lost 86 pounds but for almost a year prior to the replacement, I was not able to eat without vomiting when I got close to restriction. I think this screwed up my metabolism. I shot up 30 pounds while waiting for the repair surgery. The surgeon assured me that the evidence was that those who had been successful with the band, would continue to be successful after the repair. NOT. I was within 10 pounds of my starting weight and I am currently dieting and am down 12 pounds but I have plateaued. My surgeon says just think where you would be if you had not had the surgery. I am still morbidly obese. I have not gone through all this to still be morbidly obese. I watch my diet obsessively and usually have around 1200 calories per day. If I dare have a treat, my weight shoots up. Are there other failures out there? Am I alone? Have you had a different surgery with better results? I used to almost live on this board but I am so disillusioned with my bariatric journey, I think it has been 7 years since I last posted.

Holy crap. I can't believe I haven't figured this out before now. I'm a nurse for goodness sake!
I've had a lap band since 2010. I initially lost around 70 lbs (30 for prep and 40 after placement). After following the Keto way of eating I lost another 30 lbs for a couple of years. Since then I've gained back a good majority.
I've had issues with my band from early on mostly involving regurgitation. However, in the last year and a half I've been having intermittent breathing issues with an odd presentation. I will become air hungry with minimal activity such as walking from living room to kitchen, washing my hair or even chopping up food. Sometimes it takes my breath away. I also have asthma but it doesn't not feel the same. The sensation is more in my epigastric area. Almost like the feeling you get going down a roller coaster but for extended period of time (3-5 min).
My PCP added another inhaler and has referred me to the pulmonary team with plans for an echocardiogram and pulmonary function testing but after reading this I am thinking my breathing issues are band related. I'm not sure why I didn't think about this before! The sensation is right where my diaphragm lies and I've had the darnedest time describing it but this makes so much sense.
Luckily I'm already making plans to have the band removed due to continued regurgitation despite no fill. Ends up I have severe esophageal dilatation. I don't think the breathing issue is related to aspiration as I have had that and it feels very different. Also chest X-ray was clear. I think the esophageal dilatation and the band is irritating my diaphragm. It definitely feels more like a restrictive issue rather than an issue with my lungs themselves. My lungs have been clear without any wheezing.
I'll follow up with my Bariatric surgeon ASAP. I'm so glad I read this thread. Thx!

Good Lord- 4 hours?!! But 3 to 8 is 5 hours!!! And what do you eat during that time?

I have heard that the surgeries cost significantly less in Costa Rica. Has anyone done any research on the subject and care to share your findings with someone who has just started to look into the idea?

Did you ever lose weight? I'm 1 week in my liquid diet and having the surgery in a week and I'm dealing with the same thing. I am not losing at all and haven't cheated once.