No weight loss with lap band. Want to have it removed.

Hello Ladies, Josie & Ros...

Wow!! everyone here is very imformative, someone seems to know something about something.

My surgeon is Blair Bowden, & the Dr that did my fills for my band also told me that he wouldn't Sleeve the same day as the band removal as the tissue that was pleated & gathered under the band needs to unfold itself & flatten as this is part of the stomach that they need to trim & staple. If it is done the same day you will not get as good a weight loss in general..

My teeth are almost all gone. I have a top plate & my last 5 natural teeth on the bottom will have to come out. Osteoporosis & the continual acid & reflux from the band haven't helped.

Must get off to bed , enjoy your day tomorrow... Vicki :)))

Fantastic for you! It's making my decision easier. Will see the surgeon on Sept 10th so will get more information then.

Thank you all

Josie

I had my band for six years and got down to a weight that I looked awesome (other people said anyways haha) I wasn't healthy and couldn't eat anything! I'm eight weeks out from being sleeved and I have never felt this great in years. I actually want to exercise and I have energy. My only issue at the moment is if I overeat I get quite tired and very uncomfortable but thats me learning with my new tummy. This process has been so much easier and less painful than my band. If I knew this was an option 6 years ago, I would have had the sleeve. Good luck with your journey :)

Thank you Trishah.
Makes a lot of sense.
Yes - to be able to eat normal food would be great. I miss it.
I did a lot of research about the band before I had it, but I wasn't expecting the fact that my body would not digest a large majority of food.
Not to mention when going out, you just pick at a meal.
Poor hubby used to eat his meal then mine, so there was no waste.
We got to a point of ordering one meal, and a side plate, so I picked at his.
Funny when you see a fat lay eating very little.....more frustrating really.
Recently had a craving for a simple egg and lettuce sandwich. Gave in knowing I could only eat half, but I suffered for the taste. Bread did not stay down, and I was regurgitating the lettuce for hours. YUK...
I appreciate all the hints of those who "have been there - done that" Very helpful indeed.

Agree with the teeth bit. Would rather go on a holiday than pay the fortune I have to the dentist. Wallet cries when I walk into a Dental Surgery....!!!

Back to google research again before heading to work.

Ros its much better to let your belly heal that 3 months. I know its scary with the thought of gaining weight in that time but not only physically but you need the mental break from WLS that the 3 months gives you.

It also allows your body to replenish nutrients not able to be taken in with the band in that 3 months which makes your body healthier, stronger and more able to heal.

I would suggest sleeve first over the more radical alternatives you mentioned as its the first step, it works brilliantly and it is so easy to live with. You can always move on to another surgery but you cant go back.

I have never regretted my sleeve. I am able to live a normal life, eating normal foods but in small amounts. No one knows I have a sleeve and no one can tell because I can eat a normal range of foods.

I am healthier too, I can feel it in my body that its stronger than it was with the band. The tiredness is gone as are the body aches and the constant feeling of being down emotionally.

My teeth were also damaged by acid from reflux with the band and I am currently having them fixed ...at great expense I might add.

I have many regrets in life and getting a lap band over a sleeve is one of my greatest.

Life is so simple now that it feels like Im cheating!

wikketts wrote:

Hi Josiepop, I shouldn't say this, but I'm glad someone else has the same problems as I. Simular problems as yourself, I have never really lost any weight with the band. Either too tight & not able to drink any water & if it was adjusted then I could eat more with a glass of water to help it down I hated the blockage & feeling that when you bend over it all wants to come up...I have two drs that have both had sleevs & have been on my case knowing I had the band, so started to investigate. On theursday I had the fluid from my band removed & ate my first salad that night,, So nice. I have an apt with my band surgeon on the 17th of September to discuss having my band removed & then the 3 month wait for the sleeve. Im 56 years old & need a life like yourself. This is a great site for information & support. Take care Josie, Vicki

Oh Vicki. I too live in your world.....your not alone! lol
I am 56, had lapband 5 years ago, and fed up with not being able to eat a normal meal.
I always knew I would have to eat small meals and chew, chew, chew...but...I just crave a simple salad. Would love to at some steak and not bring it back up. I can't eat fruits, salads, meats (only fine cooked minced beef).....but boy can still suck on chocolate and cheesecake. Though I must admit, I don't crave chocolate like I used to. Everything ends up just coming up again. Don't drink soft drinks anymore, or bread...but no weight loss.
My Metabolism must be shot to bits. Would love to walk more, but don't have the energy.
My teeth have all suffered. Plenty of decay from the strong acid I bring back up. Arghhhh

I eat very little, but the weight does not come down. I have managed to maintain losing 40kg, but cannot shake anymore, and I have a hell of a lot to still lose.
I am over the band. Want it out. now.
Going back to see my surgeon on the Northside of Brissie. I know he prefers to go from Band to Roux-en-Y gastric Bypass. So I need to sit and have a chat to him. I have been doing research of the pros and cons.
I did have an appointment for last week, but had the flu, and no voice for 3 days...and trust me I need to talk. lol

If I get the band removed, and leave it at that, then I know weight will creep back up again, and NO WAY do I want that.

Good luck with the Band removal. Please let us know how you go with that.
May I ask why 3 months for the next step.
I have seen that some doctors do the removal, and sleeve or bypass in the one surgery??

Take care, and stay strong

HI Vicki

Thanks for the reply. It is interesting to read other people's issues with the band. I have friends who have also lost weight initially and are now putting the weight back on...I was the only one that I knew of that hadn't lost any weight. It's good that we know that there are others like us out there.

I read another of your posts and I know what you mean about telling ppl that you have a band in. I feel stupid too...people ask me what I'm going to do with it.

I know that there's no "quick fix" solution for being overweight - it takes hardwork. I must admit, I thought it would be easy to lose weight with the band though. I just hate that it's hard to eat raw foods like salads and fruit and eating junk food like chocolate is too easy.

Thanks once again

Josie

Josiepop wrote:

Hi

I had my lap band inserted about six years ago and I'm now heavier than I was when I had it put in (only about 4 kgs but it's still heavier). I hate my lap band but decided last year when I moved to another city, that I needed to give it a chance to work. I went and saw a new doctor, psychologist and dietitian. I still haven't lost weight and the year is well and truly up.

I'm scared about having a partial gastrectomy as I think it's a radical treatment but I think I'm just going to get bigger and bigger. I'm in my mid 40's and my BMI is 34.

Just looking for opinions and feedback. Any negatives about sleeves?

thanks

Hi Josiepop, I shouldn't say this, but I'm glad someone else has the same problems as I. Simular problems as yourself, I have never really lost any weight with the band. Either too tight & not able to drink any water & if it was adjusted then I could eat more with a glass of water to help it down I hated the blockage & feeling that when you bend over it all wants to come up...I have two drs that have both had sleevs & have been on my case knowing I had the band, so started to investigate. On theursday I had the fluid from my band removed & ate my first salad that night,, So nice. I have an apt with my band surgeon on the 17th of September to discuss having my band removed & then the 3 month wait for the sleeve. Im 56 years old & need a life like yourself. This is a great site for information & support. Take care Josie, Vicki

Hi

thank you all for your replies.

I've put on weight basically because I overeat. The band has been frustrating for me as I have had it filled to the point where I can't even tolerate water but when only a small amount is removed, can basically eat what I want (with some limitations).

I've booked an appointment to go and see my dr in a few weeks. Will discuss these options with him but I want to get the band taken out. Am sick of the feeling of having food stuck, nauseated, discomfort after eating and vomiting - all with no weight loss. It's so annoying going out with friends for dinner as they're always waiting for me to finish. They don't mind but it's still something that I find annoying. I rarely feel full after eating and find it difficult to eat raw foods. Haven't had a raw apple since I had the band put in.

I will need to do some serious thinking and research on the sleeve. Will discuss this with my husband - am so lucky as he is so supportive of me.

Thank you for your posts - I really appreciate it.

Josiepop

Hi Josiepop,

I had the band for 7 years and am waiting for the sleeve. Have your doctors said why you've gained weight with the band? Do you have much restriction when eating?

I had to have the band removed as my body was rejecting my port but I was fairly lucky having lost 36kg. In the last 18 months though I had started to gain as it needed to be filled but I didnt want to go back to the sliming with food getting stuck all the time.

I have researched long and hard before making the decision to have a sleeve. Also seeing my weight increase since having the band removed has reinforced my decision that I definitely need a tool such as the sleeve to help me manage my weight. My Dr said that compared to the band I will thoroughly enjoy the sleeve. He said it is a more "normal" way to eat just much smaller portions. I am 48 years old and still have a lot of living to do and I want to enjoy it, not be struggling with trying to lose weight for the rest of my life.

This forum is fantastic for researching and asking questions.

Good luck with your decision.

Hi Josiepop, welcome. I cant personally provide advice on sleeve as i am still waiting.
But there is lots of info on this site. goodluck with your research. I can say am happy to have my band out

check out the band to sleeve area.

Hi

I had my lap band inserted about six years ago and I'm now heavier than I was when I had it put in (only about 4 kgs but it's still heavier). I hate my lap band but decided last year when I moved to another city, that I needed to give it a chance to work. I went and saw a new doctor, psychologist and dietitian. I still haven't lost weight and the year is well and truly up.

I'm scared about having a partial gastrectomy as I think it's a radical treatment but I think I'm just going to get bigger and bigger. I'm in my mid 40's and my BMI is 34.

Just looking for opinions and feedback. Any negatives about sleeves?

thanks