Several of you effectively scared me!

Should I get my band removed?  Had it for 6 1/2 years.  No complications.  But, I have read emough to get scared a little about this foreign body inside me.  is it still safe?  Especially as I age.

Brock,

Worry is a waste of time.  If you have no issues with your band why would you remove?  Why don't you get on the ball and just use it?  If I had no issues with my Band I would have continued to file all the info I read regarding the Band like I had been doing and continued to work my ass off with the Band.  I removed as a last option.

I tell you what I'd worry about - I'd worry about obesity related diseases like Diabetes II, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Limited mobility and joint issues the list goes on.  And sweet Brock add to that your two young babies they deserve to have a healthy you!  I'd worry about needing a heart bypass in the future as I aged because I didn't deal with a potential issue today.  BEING OBESE IS NOT SAFE.

You got to remember how you felt when you lost that 100lbs.  Go back to your doc regularly, get checked.  My doc had my back.  He said you can keep the band in as is - it didn't work, would not work but I had a caring and extremely competent surgeon who had my back no matter what.  If something went wrong, I knew I was safe with him even in dying.  That is wild to say that I know but I knew he would give all he got to me on that table and if something went wrong that was how it was supposed to be.

Take what you want from here Brock - you could latch onto people here who have what you want as they created a path you can walk thru.

And I'll be blunt I've seen you struggle so much.  Weight is an issue for you - some people carry weight and they don't care but it is obvious you do.  If your band truly does not work consider doing something else.  Nothing will help you long term if you don't do constantly/consistently what it  requires to get and keep the results you want.  That means making healthy portioned food choices and exercising.  No matter if you choose a different WLS you will have to be proactive forever.  Even a DSer can't do whatever they want.  Simple carbs are not for any us regularly EVER.  Well if you plan on running marathons or training for them year long then healthy carbs will do you.

Stop worrying Brock and fix your life.

All Best and with harsh love,

Layla

Now THAT was a reply!  An awesome reply.  The best I have ever seen. 

I'm doing something about it lately.  Been exercising again (first time in years), and eating healthier (I just snacked on an orange).

Thanks for having my back!

It WAS an awesome way to say, "Pull your head out of your ass and get back in the game." 

BRILLIANT and deserving of a standing ovation! 

Forget that.  She deserves a beer!

Layla -- a beautiful and loving response.

Brock ---- I completely respect you for hearing what Layla has to say.

As for me -- I tend to worry about my band -- but as long as I am pain free and not having issues related to the band, I am not going to preemptively remove it.

I would not preemptively have a mastectomy because I might develop breast cancer ----  

Living the healthiest life you can, using the band to the best of your ability until it does not work for you -- that is a way to channel your concerns.

I honor your re-commitment to exercise and health ---- keep up the good work!!!

The intent is never to scare, speaking for myself.  It is to share my experience so others who may be feeling symptoms will recognize them for what they are.  I didn't realize that the pain I was feeling was gastric, not cardiac, for instance.  As long as your band is helping you to lose and not causing problems, there's no reason to remove it.