Want the band removed

Hi everyone.

I would like to have my band taken out. It has been a miserable experience and I have not lost a pound. The lack of weight loss is not why I want it out  - I want it out because since I had a port revision in December, it hurts ALL the time. It is so bad today that I cannot stand up straight. I just want it out - I hate it and regret ever doing this. Has anyone else ever had one removed? How difficult is it to have done and what is the recovery like?

Thanks - and sorry to be so negative. I had the band put in 8 months ago, have lost nothing and have had nothing but issues. Plus my surgeon is not real "personable" to put it nicely.

Any input is appreciated! 

Christine

 Hi Christine,

I am so sorry that you have experienced this.    I would ask your insurance if they will pay for a revision and go to a different surgeon and have the band removed and get a revision to another surgery.   I know several lap band patients who have had to have their band removed due to issues...but I personally can't tell you any information about how the recovery was but I know that once the band is out the pain is gone ( or that is what I was told ).   I wish you well with your future journey and hopefully you will be able to get a revision to a surgery that will be "right" for you.    Lap band does work for some but then there are others that have problems.... but that can happen with any of the WLS too.   Have a blessed day and hope you aren't in too much pain today.   You may want to go to some of the other surgery Message Boards and ask questions there or go to the revision board  ( but they are usually not real helpful there IMHO ).  


Hugs and blessings ~~ Vivian

Thanks Vivian. I appreciate the post. Insurance paid for the port revision, but I will have to ask about having it removed. I really just want out at this point and am so angry and embarrassed that I even had WLS. 

Thanks!
Christine

 Christine,

Don't be embarrassed by having WLS.    It is like shoes.....one size does not fit all.   Remember all the different surgeries are just "tools".    I am so sorry that you are having to go through all this.   I know people who have had some of all the different surgeries who have had some problems from time to time.   I bet your insurance will pay for it.    I would call them and talk to them and tell them of the pain that you are in and that you would like a revision to a WLS that will work for you.   I am NOT saying that lap band doesn't work.    I have a niece who was banded in June and has lost over 80 lbs.      Please don't give up....keep on till you get the results you are wanting from your insurance.    Trust me....you are worth it.


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Christine:

Don't apologize for "being negative", but before you go stampeding into another surgery, go stampeding into you surgeon's office and FORCE HIM to help you with the one you already had, the one HE already got paid for.

So many people treat their docs like Gods who shall not be challenged, but THEY work for US, not the other way around and sometimes they have to be reminded of that. He got a pantload of money to give you your surgery and he OWES it to you to help you make it work optimally and - at the VERY least - insure that you're not in constant pain.

Do not allow him to be "not real personable" but make him accountable to his patient. WHY are you in pain? WHY are you not losing any weight? He's the one that needs to fix the problems, and you feeling like crap all the time and wanting to have ANOTHER surgery to fix what may be minor issues is not acceptable!

If you need me to, I'll drive down from CT and kick has ass FOR you.

 like

Sorry you have had such a bad experience.  But I agree with Bette- is there anything that can be done to make things right with this on? I am not saying don't have it taken out - just is there anything else that can be done before that?

Your port should not hurt! Your doc needs to sort this out. It is his job to sort it out!

Can we help with ideas about weight loss?  If you haven't lost a pound, obviously you have not been able to alter your eating habits. Is that just because the band is too loose? Too tight? Changing our lifestyle is hard for us all. If you tell us what changes you have made and what has not worked for you, we may be able to suggest things you can do.

Kate

Hi Christine,

I'm so sorry.  I had my band removed in 2005 due to massive complications. The removal surgery was a breeze compared to the repositioning and the initial surgeries. Within hours of leaving the recovery room, I was rarin' to go. (Unfortunately, I kinda fell asleep while putting my boots on, sitting in a chair!) BUT, I was ready and rarin' to get the heck outta there!

I'd find a different surgeon first and foremost. It could be that your port is badly positioned, you could have a kink in the tubing, it could be a lot of things. But, if your surgeon isn't fulfilling his end of the bargain, believe me, it's better to find a different one! (My surgeon told me to "find a hobby" when I told him that I was in daily pain. It turned out that my stomach was twisted into a Figure 8, my intestines kinked and I was about to kick the bucket. I found a new surgeon that day. I "fired" my old one and found one who was willing and able to help, thankfully.) 

I wish you the best in finding a solution to this problem. It may be that the band isn't the right thing for you, but it may be something simple to correct. Best of luck. Feel better soon.

So sorry to hear about all your band problems! Especially since you are so early out. They usually occur further out.

So many ppl on here on ther band forun think all u have to do if follow band rules and you will be fine. That is so NOT how it works most of the time!!!

I would love to have mine removed and revised to an EFFECTIVE WLS! unfortunatley I don't have insurance and wasted $15,000 on my POS band! :-( At least I am not in pain like u are, so I guess I should count that blessing.

Thanks for posting your story because prospective bandsters need to know things like this DO happen! I hope u are able to get the support u deserve on this forum!!!!

Keep us updated.

 
I didn't just have a band removal but a revision to another surgery type instead.  The pain is pretty much the same for having a band placed to begin with.

Sorry it isn't working out for you.  Have you considered bypass or DS?