[Janet1977]

Had a band fitted in 2004 and had problems ever since. Getting my band removed next week, has anyone had their band removed and how long does it take to recover??

[jiffypop]

sorry to hear that you've had problems with it. a friend of mine has had his removed, and he's dealing OK. it took a few weeks to heal, but since he had an erosion, that would make sense.

can you tell us a little of the story? i don't want to be nosy or to scare anyone, but it's really important that everyone knows what can go wrong, along with what can go right.

What does your surgeon say about this?

[Janet1977]

I had my band fitted in Lyon France in 2004. I lost over 7 stone and the band worked as I wanted to. I did have problems with the band being over filled which led to me not even being able to drink water and I got quite obsessive about being thin. When I got to the weight I wanted my skin hung off me quite bad and to be honest I didn't have much confidence. When I got pregnant with my daugher I had most of the fluid removed, ever since (4 years ago) I've found it difficult keeping any healthy food down.
I can keep soup, biscuits and chocolate down, all the junk. But when I try and eat fruit and veg I burp them back up.
I've also suffered from chronic Irritable bowel symdrome, giving me really bad trapped wind and rolling about in pain. People say that surgery doesn't cause this but I think otherwise.
So as I can't eat anything else I have actually put weight on, I'm not as big as when I started, but if I carry on like this I'm not getting the nutrients my body needs. I wish that I had councilling instead, but at the time I was desperate. It has made my life a misery, I haven't been able to eat out and socialise, I've been in pain, all for chasing those size 10 jeans!!!
If anyone is wanting this surgery, please beware that it doesn't always turn out like you want it to. xx

[Leenie]

Sorry you had a rough time with the band but realize it could happen with any surgery. Sounds like you're doctors did not know how to handle your case I think counseling with the band would have been a good idea as well. Recovery should take a few weeks but you'll be just fine.

Good luck !!!
Leenie

[Bensunjane]

Hello Janet
Sorry to hear about your problems with your band. I think I am also heading in that direction as I have had chronic indigestion for 4 years and today my surgeon says it could be my body reacting to the silicon in the band and causing a fibrous growth which in turn restricts the band further and causing the irritation I took to be indigestion. At the most I only had a 2.75ml fill and the last year of agony at 1.5ml. Today I had it emptied. I did put up a new thread asking for advice on here today (my first) and guess it may be with the moderators before being posted. So time will tell and the possibility of barium swallow and endoscopy.

I know how you feel when you say you are worried about putting weight back on - I am the same. I can only eat mush or liquid when it is really bad and that often means too many calories!

On the health front try and find a liquid vitamin/tonic to at least keep you topped up on the vitamins and minerals you need. A second opinion may also be a good idea. Chronic IBS is treated with relaxation & meditation by one of the top London teaching hospitals (St Georges?) - may be have a google and see what you can find?
I shall keep an eye on your post and hope you find the answer soon!
J

[jiffypop]

Ummm. Bensunjane - i have my moderator hat on, and I'm not seeing your post. in fact, this particular forum doesn't require moderator approval before posting. A few of the others on 3FC might require it though.

So, my question to you is this: is it possible that you tried to post the new thread on another forum here, one that might require moderator approval? or did you maybe accidentally NOT post it? Believe me, it's really easy to exit out of a new thread without posting it. I've done it more times than i can count.

maybe try re-posting it?

thanks!

OK moderator hat's off.