i just talked to my Dr about having mine out she said recovery was a little worse than the procedure to put it in because it has been in a while and tissue has probably grown around it so it will be more invasive to remove everything.

I'm going in the hospital on Tuesday August 4th (2015) to have my band removed --- they'll be taking my gallbladder too.   I went to a new doctor and when he looked at the ultra sounds and X-rays he could see that the band is flat where it should be tilted slightly and there's a slip with stomach tissue going over the band that COULD turn necrotic if not taken care of and of course he will look at the tissue while in there to see if the tissue has already started to become necrotic.   My old doc let me sit for two years with a slipped band because I didn't have insurance during my lay off --- I'm furious about that knowing what COULD have happened.   Anyway - my BMI is under 30 now and there's no way I fit the criteria for a sleeve - the doctor said no insurance company will approve me at this weight and I'm petrified of gaining again.   What diets did everyone follow after having the band removed? and what could I expect?   I understand I can't work out for at least 6 weeks (spin class and body pump, etc....)    On the flip side, I'm so excited to be able to eat a plate of fruit and a full salad again - and I can't wait to find out if the acid reflux, night coughs, etc will subside.....   To be normal again will be great - to gain weight will really mess me up mentally - can't let that happen ---- so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you!  :)

Hi.  Research has shown that nearly immediately there is a change in a diabetic's blood glucose following gastric bypass surgery.  This does not hold true for gastric banding.  However, if the gastric band is placed well and the individual follows the rules very precisely, dietary changes may (the operative word here is MAY) control blood glucose levels.  This is not a guarantee and it is not due to anything other than the person's change in diet- so there is a great potential for problems there.  Sticking to the gastric banding routine is challenging-especially in the long run.  Therefore, compliance with the band rules AND the absence (post band installation) of the physiologic effects  of reducing blood sugar with the band but PRESENT in many cases with bypass makes the band NOT an intervention for diabetes control.  Hope this helps.  Better to have her consult with a surgeon so that all of her questions will be answered.  WLS is a commitment, regardless of the type.  Good luck! 

I, too, am happy with my LAP-Band.  I had my surgery in February 2012.  The one thing that convinced me to have the LAP-Band surgery is that I wanted the least invasive surgery.  I did not want organs cut or removed.  I felt (and I still do) that their is a purpose to all those organs and the way they work as God would not have put them there if they were not needed.

Hmmm...I've had it done but it has been awhile now and I also was revised in the same surgery, so my recovery experience wouldn't be too similar to that of the removal only procedure. Sorry I can't be of more help, but wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery!