My band was removed last Monday and I can't stop crying!

I had lap band surgery in Reno, NV in 10/2005.  Right from the start, after my first fill, I had problems with food getting stuck.  In 2008, I moved to LA, CA.  Fluid was removed, added, removed and the story went on.  Finally, I changed medical groups and requested to see a surgeon.  They referred me to one that was contracted and he stated we should remove the band and do a sleeve.  He removed all the fluid because the band was too high and the pouch had formed in the esophagus. Then, I was advised that he was only authorized to do the removal.  They sent me to another surgeon on Friday, and on Monday, June 27, the band was removed- wham/bam!  He stated we needed to wait  6-9 months before doing a sleeve.  He warned me that I could gain weight, so I am being very disciplined.  I didn't plan on such a rapid removal and have done nothing but grieve.  I am sad and crying all of the time.  I am not in physical pain- just emotional pain.  Of course, I am worried about weight gain, but feel I can always join WW if needed.  In the meantime, I am in the diabetes field and know what and how to eat.  I have always measured my portions and make good choices all of the time.  Now I am being more diligent.  I just need to stop feeling sorry for myself and stop crying.  I have been emotional to all of my family and no matter how hard I try, I can't stop.  My biggest weight loss was 79 pounds.  That was when I was vomiting all of the time.  I am currently 63 pounds lower than my pre-surgery weight.  No one seems to know what rules to follow after lap band removal.  They give you the same instructions that they give a new band patient.  I just want to hear from others who may have had a similar journey and be reassured that all will be OK.  Thank you for reading my sob story.

  

So sorry to hear what you have been through.

There is a group for people who have had failure with/of their bands. Take a look at that.

But I am sure others will chime in to offer help.

Kate

 Thank you.  I didn't know abut this group but I will look at it.

Joyce

Hi there, I remember crying when I finally made the decision to have my band removed. I think when we got our bands, we were so excited and sure that it was going to be the answer for us, that when it begins to fail us, it can be hard to accept and heartbreaking.

Even though my band was making me miserable, I was trying so hard to make it work that I was very upset when I finally agreed with my surgeon that it had to come out.

Now living with the sleeve is so fantastic, it's hard to even believe that I was upset to lose my band. Try to look ahead to better times to come.

I was lucky to be able to have my removal and revision all in the same surgery, but my band was unfilled several months before my surgery and I did regain weight. If you can find a way to avoid significant regain (WW sounds like an awesome idea), you would be so far ahead of the game.

There are several people on the VSG board or in the Failed Lap Band Group who were unable to have the revision done in the same surgery due to damage from the band. Some people have to wait a few months to see if the stomach can heal and be in a bit better shape prior to the VSG.

6-9 months does seem like a long time to wait, but hang in there. Let yourself grieve over the loss of your band for a bit, but then start looking forward to what is coming your way! Come visit us on the VSG board.

Best of luck,
Lindsey

 Thank you for responding.  I now feel like I am not alone.  I do look forward to getting my sleeve, but am worried that if I am able to lose some weight on my own (which I am trying very hard to do) they will say I no longer qualify.  What is the VSG board?
Joyce

I'm sorry. I know it's hard. You get your hopes up and go through all the surgery and follow-up and stick to the plan... and then something changes and the band needs to be removed. It's heartbreaking after going through it all.

However, it sounds like you have a really good doctor because you want to be healed enough to revise. (It's been 6 years since band removal for me and I'm not sure I'm healed enough yet! )  You can keep the weight off. 6-9 months is a drop in the hat. I was able to keep it off for a couple of years... just keep reminding yourself of all you've gone through.

You have every right to feel disheartened and sad. I think you should cry until you don't want to cry anymore. It's natural. I'm wishing you the best!

~Nicci

 Thank you so much for your support.  I felt so good when you validated my feelings and told me it was OK to cry and cry until I no longer want to cry anymore.  Thank you for your good wishes.  My doctor made it sound like it would  be impossible to maintain weight loss or even continue to lose weight.  I know the band was just a tool and it took my discipline to lose my weight.  I will admit towards the end, I was not as disciplined.  Now, I am back on track.  I hope when I see the doctor on Friday he will give me guidelines as to how many calories to take in each day and let me know if I still need 50-60 grams of protein daily.  As a nurse, I know that amount of protein can be hard on the kidneys.  I think it is a strategy to keep the fat and carbs down.  I am healing physically.  Now, I need to work on the mental healing.  

Joyce

You can do it, Joyce. I think having a support group or some form of counseling is a really great thing to have in order to keep yourself on track, though.

I admit that I kind of got to the point where I simply gave up. I felt like everything was stacked against me... I quit smoking and had no "crutch" anymore. Then I had the hysterectomy and had to take steroids because of an allergic reaction... and it all made me gain... and I was like, "Well, I'm just supposed to be chubby, I guess." But, looking back, I think I simply was so tired of trying and trying that I gave in.

Don't give in, Joyce. Seriously, I was just thinking today that I used to work out like a madwoman and in spite of being overweight, I felt strong and healthy. Now I still work out, but I can feel the strain of the excess pounds on my joints... and it's SO much harder to workout as hard as I used to with the extra pounds.

SO, keep your head up... remind yourself that you're worth taking care of and know you can do it!!!

Nicci

Ok for starters any surgery stirs up the emotiuonal hormones so that should settle down. You have a sleeve lined up so all you can do at this point is be diligent with your actions and eating. Maybe you'll gain 10 lbs. maybe not. This is one of those times when life happens and we just have to roll with it as best we can. I have my band but it is empty by my choice, it was emptied over 2 mos. ago and I haven't gained a lb., I give myself a 5 lb. range and if I get out of that range then it's back to a salads with lots of protein. Be realistic, there is only so much you can do at this point so just do the best you can, log your foods and after your sleeve you can knock off any gain you might get, just don't go crazy and eat everything you want to. Best of luck, you CAN do it!

 I am so sorry, I recently lost my band (in a very quick process as well) but my surgeon is only making me wait until Sept to get my revision, I am sorry you have to wait so long. You can click on my recent posts to read my story, and feel free to email me if you want to talk.