I had my band removed on Friday after 6 years.

I know many people have ben successful with the band, but this is my story. I had my band removed Friday after 6 years.  The first 4 years were ok with my band.  I lost the majority of my weight.   I never had very many band fills.  The last 3 years I have had my band completely empty.  During the last 2 years I experienced a very unpredictable band. I never would know what might set the band off, with severe stomach pain for 2 hours.  My doc was not supportive with of my lap band removal. Because X-rays showed my band in perfect place.  He was ok with my 2 hours of severe stomach pain.  I was always worried about the damage the band was doing to my organ.  On Friday I was admitted to the ER and had my doc remove the band.  The doc said he removed adhesions on my liver and stomach.  It has been a long band journey!  I'm so glad its over with!!  I'm looking forward to being able to eat in social situations and not having a painful clamp on my stomach.   I know many people will not be happy with me posting lap band failure but oh well! I believe people have the right to hear both negative and positive stories.  If your looking into getting the banded do your research.  

Hi Becks,

 

I'm sorry you went through this. I did, too.

I'm of the opinion that bands are very damaging to the human body... and no matter if the Xrays show perfectly positioned band, it's doing damage. And if you're having severe pain, obviously something was wrong. I don't understand doctors who only look at the diagnostic results without taking into consideration the quality of life of the patient.

I also believe that anyone choosing the band today... with all the negative statistics... must NOT be fully researching. Thank you for sharing your experience so that those people who are researching can see yet another person who's experienced pain, disappointment and ultimately, band removal.

Do you have plans to revise to another surgery? Or, like me, are you leaving well enough alone? I can't imagine going through the amount of pain I had with the lap band ever again. I hope you heal well and feel much better soon.

Thanks for the response. My doc wanted me to get a bigger band put in at the same time. I told him absolutely not!!! He is not happy with me. He told me "I will probably see me in a couple years wanting gastric bypass."  That will not happen!  I'm just so happy to have this thing  out of me, no other surgery is an option for me.

The good thing is, it does not matter one little bit if your doc is happy with you or not, right?!  He doesn't have to live in your body or feel your pain.

I'm fat today, but infinitely happier than I was when I had the band!

 

How totally RUDE of your docotr "I will probably see you in a few years" I'm betting you will NEVER see him again with that attitude. These arrogant doctors who think they are so wonderful, butchering half their patients and never listening with an open ear. Yuck     

I hope you have a wonderful & speedy recovery!!

 

 

 

Becks,
So sorry about your pain....but you did the best thing for yourself! Just think, you will be able to swallow your food and it will go down!!! We would be band lashers if we didn't have the band. We do and in a few weeks I can say I did too. You are so lucky yours is out. The band sucks. I am not afraid to say it. The band sucks. The band.....it sucks!!! Best of luck to you Becks, keep us posted

Thanks for your support!!  

 

Sorry you had to go through this. I can't read the details as the font is too small to read on my ipad without enlarging it so much it disappears off the page,  but whatever happened, hope all now goes well for you.

Kate

 He was ok with my 2 hours of severe stomach pain.

WTF????

 

 

(((Becks))))
Everyone deserves to live pain free. I respect your choice to not want further surgery. You obviously know what is best for your body. Shame on your doctor for not being supportive with your decision!
Blessings
Prek3