Considering Having my Lap Band Removed

Good Morning OH family !!

Haven't been on the boards in  a long time.  I am 8 years post op and I have never reached my goal weight with the lap band.  I am wanting to have the band removed permanently and  just going to have to figure this healthy lifestyle out for myself.  Cant afford  to get my fills, and  in all honesty  tired of the process.   Any thoughts !!! 

Have you discussed this with your surgeon? How much does your fills cost? Do you have insurance? Do you have restriction? One thing to ponder, even if you have not reached goal weight, you will gain what you have lost back if you get your band removed, trust me on that one.

Have you considered the Sleeve or Bypass, if you have insurance? They do not require fills, but there may be a trade-off with lab work and critical vitamins for life, and they are not guaranteed to be effective forever, so there is no perfect tool out there yet..

Also if you are 8 years post op, have you had your band checked lately? If you are able to eat more it could be dilation issues rather than needing a fill, are you having any reflux? Sorry about all the questions, but yes the band requires maintenance, but so do the Bypass and Sleeve, it's just a different type of maintenance.

Also are you part of any support group online or locally, they really help you to stay on track, are you really doing all you need to be successful with your band? Are you exercising, following a healthy diet, etc, I would NOT give up on the band if there are no issues with it. You can jump start weight loss by recommitting yourself.

If you get your band removed, it will be much harder to lose weight, I hope you realize this, also the band sort of screws up our metabolism after years of living with it so it may be impossible to get back on track by removing it.

My surgeon left the practice a while back . I was going in to get fills until I lost my job and insurance . I have now found a new job and not sure if insurance will cover any of it .  I don't have much restriction.  I was also told at my last visit that my port may be leaking .  I am just over all the surgery.  I know that there is a possibility that I will gain, but  I am still  326 pounds and I was 385 when I had the surgery .  The smallest I have been in  250 and then I got pregnant with my daughter and  have been at  300-326 for the last four years .   I don't want any other surgery. I want the band out and I want to gain as much education as I can on doing this on my own.  I have started belching a lot and having a lot of gas .  I am now worried about all of the esophagus issues I keep reading about.

Thanks so much for responding .

Ok, that makes sense, if you are belching this could mean gastritis or GERD. You may want to get on some type of PPI. in the meantime.

If you really want your band out, ALL insurances must cover removal if you are having complications or issues with even if Bariatric surgery is not covered, they must pay to remove it if you are having a complication.

Wishing you much success and if you need to stay on track feel free to post here, to track your daily calories and exercise

Thanks so much  !!!! I will keep you informed. I think I am going to do a liquid fast for a couple of days till this gas passes .  I am uncomfortable and cant sleep at night .

Also if you are having reflux at night, you may want to chew a few Papaya enzymes from GNC before bed to clear out your pouch for better digestion. I used to have issues like this with my old band and would wake at night choking, but the papaya enzymes were a godsend, I used to chew them with over the counter Pepcid.

Edited to Add: You may want to consider changing surgeons, I had to do that to get a new band that works, you may want to get a second opinion on your band leak too.

Thanks !!  That is a great suggestion  !!!!

Why would you remove your band if you have no issues.  And how could you afford to have your band removed if you can't afford to get your fills?  Tired of what process - is something going on?  We will go through the process of weight/eating issues throughout our lives with or without surgery so if you get your band removed you still have to deal with your food and weight.   Are you having band related issues?  If you do not have any "issues" then you will have to pay out of pocket for removal.  And the only way to know if you have any issues is with follow up care and diagnostic testing.  Do you have insurance to cover testing?  If not and if you are having an URGENT issue, get to the ER and they may bill you, but you can get care while you are there like an "unfill"

All Best,

L

The longer it is in the more potential for damage.  It's going to have to come out eventually, better now than after the damage is done.

Money is an issue - she can't even afford to get a fill or unfill!  Best if she knows if her new insurance will cover than to get in debt - medical bills can crush your finances completely.  If issues, an unfill can do a world of difference in the meanwhile.