Freedom!-Moving on beyond the lapband

You are right. I did not read your background information. I apologize. I wish you well with whatever you decide to do.

If you do decide to take the band out you should consider the VSG.  There are lots of people on the VSG board who go from a band to the sleeve and every post I read about says they are so much happier with the sleeve.

I'm one of those banders having it removed and not quick enough.  I will have had it just under one year when I have the revision to a sleeve.  It has been alot of suffering for only 25 lbs.  I had lost 10 more but managed to gain it back with the fills and the unfills because I'd either be too full or too loose.  It is constant maintence with the band.  I cannot wait to get it out.  Think long and hard before you do the band!  Good luck!

wow, reading this gets me scared cuz i am getting banded on monday. But honestly i really wanted the vsg i think that is perfect..but my insurance does not cover it at all. So i had told myself if i get approval i will get the band and if i have to pay i would for sure get the vsg. I did not want to spend my money on so many risks with the band. i am going to give my all to it and maybe save a little here and there for plastic surgery or have a back up plan in case this does not work for me. So please wish me luck, and sorry you all did not have a good jouney and i wish you the best on your future surgeries. thanks for listening

Several of us had problems with the band.  Mine is a failure and I am having a RNY next year.  But that doesn't mean that it won't work for you.  If your insurance covers it, it is worth a try.

Our bands must be related!! Samehere.. the only thing that consistenly stays down and smooth are chocoloate chip cookies.....and i eat those because by the time my eggs, chicken and fish and greens come up, i am starved and just grabbin anyhting to take away the hunger pains... I lost 30 pounds mostly by letting a 25 year old personal trainer beat the pounds off of me 5 days a week....but whrn i stopped 20 of the pounds came back... i physically could not keep up that pace and work and spend time with the kids and LIVE!!!  So i am scheduled for a revision to the sleeve at the end of this month and I could not be happier......  Good luck....

I have not had my band removed yet, but it is coming out.  I hated getting stuck and vomiting everyday.  I think it ruined my quality of life.  I am completely unfilled now, feel wonderful and am just waiting for a date.  Your doctor should be able to change his wording around and help you get the removal paid for, talk to him about it. 

What wording did your doctor use? I have bluecross of michigan and they will only remove it if it is giving me problems. With the saline gone, the voimitng and stuck feelings and reflux are gone. I plan to call the office and make an appt for my removal options. It is just really emotional. I thought this would work for me and it didn't. I am glad I didn't do the gastro as, I would be more miserable. But, I have to face the music and go get this thing taken out. I hate taking off from work, as they didn't know what I had done in the first place. I definitely want it out and will get scar laser removal. I had smooth skin on my belly and the surgery scars are a reminder of the failure of this weightloss procedure.

Anyway thanks for your support and sensitivity!

Thanks again,

shotgunchelle

I am not sure of the wording he will use, I haven't had it out yet.  He basically said, "The band is not working for you."  If I wanted it out, he could take it out and it would be covered by insurance.  I still have heartburn even with the saline out, and I am sticking to that...

I went to my dr today to discuss my options. Removal is covered! But I am considering revision to the sleeve. They are trying to see if the insurance will cover the sleeve with a revison. Otherwise, I will go with the removal for now. I really don't want any extra debt. However I do need to lose about a 100 pds. So keep me in your prayers. I pray that whatever happens, I will be just fine!

Thanks!