Apparently there's a high risk of the lap band shifting and eroding into you stomach or esophagus, which is why so many people need to have revisions. I'm surprised that any doctor will still do lap band - there are very few people who don't have problems by the 10 year mark.

While the surgery is technically reversible, the damage that the erosion causes is NOT reversible.

It's also a restriction only procedure, the two primary surgeries people get (RNY and VSG) include a metabolic component as well. Making them more effective.

As the bariatric surgeon at the support group I attend mentions, the lap band also requires lifetime followups and that's a challenge. If you move, it's hard to find a surgeon who will maintain your band in your new location because a lot of surgeons don't want to mess around with surgeries they didn't perform. If your surgeon retires, it can also be a huge challenge to find someone to take over your band maintenance.

Everyone I've met IRL who had the lap band falls into one of two categories.

1 - They had complications and had to revise to RNY or VSG.

2 - They brag about how they still throw up after every meal. (I actually know someone who does this. She brags about how she had lap band and "lost her 100 pounds," and still throws up whenever she tries to eat solid food. She's about 5-6 years post-op.)

Thanks for your reply. They removed my fluid & what a relief to not have the night issues anymore. How did the fill go? Not sure how long I need to go till I get some added back. My pouch was stretched from the food piling up there & not going through well. I want to give it time to go back to normal.

Kind of sounds like what I had when I had my heital hernia. I felt like maybe something was still stuck, it does help to stop eating a few hours before bed and for me sipping decafe tea at night seem to soothe the belly.

I'm surprised that your insurance will not cover band removal since it's technically not a weight loss surgery. I have United Healthcare, and they are covering my excision. I did develop issues with stuckage and slippage and a small hiatal hernia that developed above the band, so I guess removal is justified.

I just had my removal surgery on Tuesday. 72 hours later, I'm still having some pain whenever I have to use my abdominal muscles, but it seems to be getting a little better so far. No issues with restriction at all, as you might guess since the band is gone, but this leaves me having to be very careful with my eating habits so as not to gain weight. In six months or so, I'll make a decision about whether or not to pursue sleeve gastrectomy or just go it alone.

Good luck with removal, but I would really have your surgeon seek approval from your insurance company. They are good at writing just the right kind of letter to get payment approved.

Jen

My question is has anyone experienced a combination of being able to eat large quantities and experiencing hunger (common signs of being too loose) combined with aspiration & night cough (common sign of being too tight). I made an appointment for this Friday because I'm worried it is damaging my lungs. Sometimes when I exhale it sounds wheezy or like bubbles. I know I can sleep in a chair or stop eating 2-3 hours before bed and it might help some but I don't want a temporary fix, I want the night cough to go away.

Thoughts?

thanks in advance.