How uncomfortable?

Ok  just how uncomfortable is the lap band when in place?.  I would think you could feel it all the time, and it seems so unnatural. The cost is more attractive, but I wonder if it would not drive me nuts.  

 Just trying to decide which process would be best for me. 

I didn't feel mine at all. I don't recommend it though, since esophageal damage is becoming more prevalent. Mine is coming out very soon. I was totally compliant, weighing, measuring and chewing my food completely, didn't over fill it and I have an essentially "dead" sesophagus. My meals are mostly liquid and soft foods, now and many of my meals never make it to my stomach.
Yes, it's removable, but there's no guarantee that removing the band will reverse the damage.

I agree. You can't feel it at all.  Mine has to come out too - dilated esophagus and I'm not an overeater.

Good luck with your decision!

I never felt my band but, the port was another story.  It caused me pain and discomfort.  Every time I lifted something it would hurt.  But, my body had put a capsule of scare tissue around the port with the port tipped inside.  Every time they tipped it back to fill and un-fill it would hurt worse.  The scare tissue would pull on what it was attached to which hurt also.

Are you saying the band cost less than another surgery you are looking into?  If so are you factoring in all the fills and un-fills you may be needing.  Some places include some fills or give you a time frame, 90 days was ours.  The band is a high maintenance surgery for you to have success.

Many places are charging as much or more for the band than sleeve now.  

I never feel mine either but wouldn't advise it for surgery, biggest mistake I ever made. Spend a little more and get a surgery that really works and isn't so high maintenance.

Thanks for your replies.   I did read someplace that they may stop doing this procedure as its the most reversed of all surgeries.  Glad I asked.  Kind of daunting but I need to go to a seminar now and see about the more perm. surgeries.  Kinda Skeery.

You should check out the different surgeries and make up your mind which is best for you.  Here is a link on OH that might be of interest to you.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/choice-of-bariatric-proc edure-a-philosophy-obtained-in-20-years-of-bariatric-practic e-2/

For most people there is no discomfort or side effects you eat a small amount of food and the food gently moves down if you chew properly.

The band can get very "uncomfortable if you eat too much, vomit too much, or if it gets filled too tight, those are the three no no's with the band and usually the cause for removal/replacement.