Lap band removal

greybb1 · 02-06-2013, 01:30 PM

I would really like to have my lap band removed. I've had it since 2007 and it never really did much for me, even after having it filled almost to the max.

I called today and my insurance will cover it. Now I just have to find a doctor and have it done.

Have any of you had a lap band and had it removed?

BTW, I've lost 80 pounds doing low carb. I could have saved myself $8000 if I knew then what I know now.

Hot Tamale · 02-06-2013, 05:15 PM

If you're in Florida I know a super doctor who would probably do that. Shoot me a PM if you are. Good luck!!!

Maryposa · 02-08-2013, 01:55 PM

Sorry the band did not work for you greybb.... I know a few people who only lost a small amount then gained it back with lap band... but I also know people who had great success with it... it seems so hit and miss.

but I am glad "just" low carbing works for you. It didn't for me... I got stuck at 275 for over a year before having surgery. If that had not happened and if I had kept losing I would certainly not have gotten surgery, so I get where you are coming from... you don't "need" the band

plus, personally I would want it out if it weren't helping me because I'd be afraid of stomach errosion (it happens!).

PS... the only people I know who had their lap band removed all converted to sleeve.

greybb1 · 02-11-2013, 06:31 PM

The band failure is totally my fault. I just wasn't ready mentally to handle it. Ice cream and milkshakes go down pretty easy. :P

I'm so happy it worked for you, or should I say you are successful at working your band. Getting the sleeve just isn't right for me. I'm afraid that I would mess that up too. I can do low carb, I take it slowly and I've been seeing a therapist for about a year now and those two things are really helping me.

Maryposa · 02-12-2013, 09:33 AM

I don't have a band, I have a VSG... and HT has RNY... but thanks!

myyellowstang · 02-14-2013, 11:58 AM

I don't have a lapband, but I have experiences with it. I can tell you that the lapband success rate is HIGHLY dependant upon commitment and attention to diet and exercise. I've know people that had great success while they were in their "sweet spot" with fills, but never learned new diet and exercise habits. They maintained their loss by restriction alone. The ones that had it removed or emptied regained pretty significantly when they hadn't retrained their habits. Those who did, did well after removal.

You seem to have found something that works for you - can you maintain that without restriction or do you think the restriction helps?

FYI removal is a pretty simple and quick outpatient procedure. I've done many when I was an OR nurse.

myyellowstang · 02-14-2013, 11:59 AM

Oh and most of the people I know who've had it removed WERE due to erosion or slippage, but then keep in mind I worked in the OR setting for almost 9 years.

greybb1 · 02-19-2013, 05:04 AM

I haven't had restriction for years. I am having a problems now with eating anything solid. It started only occasionally and now it's happening on a regular basis.

The biggest problem is that I'm having trouble finding a doctor who will remove it since I had it done in Mexico! I've heard it's something to do with "liability", but if I had it done by a doctor in the US, no problem. Like I got some second class band and had it done in a back ally in Mexico! It was done by one of the best bariatric doctors in the world.

It just makes me so mad! Since this problem with food getting stuck is getting worse I'm going to go to my GP and ask him to refer me to a bariatric surgeon. Maybe that will help. What do they want? Me to get so bad off that I require emergency surgery?

I'm really frustrated. Can you tell?

myyellowstang · 02-19-2013, 06:23 AM

What part of the US are you in? I feel your frustration! The liability thing doesn't make sense to me, but doctors do it all the time. Band removal is different than band maintenence though so that one I just do not understand. I know surgeons that would do it in a heartbeat if neccessary.

02-06-2013, 01:30 PM	#1
greybb1 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: The South y'all Posts: 1,252 Gallery: greybb1 Stats: 320/238/175 WOE: Atkins Start Date: September 2011	Lap band removal I would really like to have my lap band removed. I've had it since 2007 and it never really did much for me, even after having it filled almost to the max. I called today and my insurance will cover it. Now I just have to find a doctor and have it done. Have any of you had a lap band and had it removed? BTW, I've lost 80 pounds doing low carb. I could have saved myself $8000 if I knew then what I know now.

02-08-2013, 01:55 PM	#3
Maryposa Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 6,748 Gallery: Maryposa Stats: 355/181.0/155 169.4 VFT! WOE: Weight loss surgery (VSG) + Low Carb + Exercise Start Date: 1998; Restart May 2007 @355; WLS March 2010	Sorry the band did not work for you greybb.... I know a few people who only lost a small amount then gained it back with lap band... but I also know people who had great success with it... it seems so hit and miss. but I am glad "just" low carbing works for you. It didn't for me... I got stuck at 275 for over a year before having surgery. If that had not happened and if I had kept losing I would certainly not have gotten surgery, so I get where you are coming from... you don't "need" the band plus, personally I would want it out if it weren't helping me because I'd be afraid of stomach errosion (it happens!). PS... the only people I know who had their lap band removed all converted to sleeve. __________________ 10 sizes lost, 1 or 2 to go! See my weight loss progress on youtube! my youtube channel for my post-op weight loss surgery (VSG) journey Last edited by Maryposa; 02-08-2013 at 02:06 PM..

02-14-2013, 11:58 AM	#6
myyellowstang Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lone Star State Posts: 13,883 Gallery: myyellowstang Stats: 286/142/135	I don't have a lapband, but I have experiences with it. I can tell you that the lapband success rate is HIGHLY dependant upon commitment and attention to diet and exercise. I've know people that had great success while they were in their "sweet spot" with fills, but never learned new diet and exercise habits. They maintained their loss by restriction alone. The ones that had it removed or emptied regained pretty significantly when they hadn't retrained their habits. Those who did, did well after removal. You seem to have found something that works for you - can you maintain that without restriction or do you think the restriction helps? FYI removal is a pretty simple and quick outpatient procedure. I've done many when I was an OR nurse. __________________ Heather Since 2008 my team has raised over $48,000 for The DFW Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. Please visit my page to donate!!

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02-06-2013, 05:15 PM	#2
Hot Tamale Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chaos Ave. & Stress Blvd. Posts: 5,125 Gallery: Hot Tamale Stats: 389/183/174 (-206) WOE: LowCarb & WLS (11/10) Start Date: every 24 hours...	If you're in Florida I know a super doctor who would probably do that. Shoot me a PM if you are. Good luck!!!

02-11-2013, 06:31 PM	#4
greybb1 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: The South y'all Posts: 1,252 Gallery: greybb1 Stats: 320/238/175 WOE: Atkins Start Date: September 2011	The band failure is totally my fault. I just wasn't ready mentally to handle it. Ice cream and milkshakes go down pretty easy. :P I'm so happy it worked for you, or should I say you are successful at working your band. Getting the sleeve just isn't right for me. I'm afraid that I would mess that up too. I can do low carb, I take it slowly and I've been seeing a therapist for about a year now and those two things are really helping me.

02-12-2013, 09:33 AM	#5
Maryposa Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 6,748 Gallery: Maryposa Stats: 355/181.0/155 169.4 VFT! WOE: Weight loss surgery (VSG) + Low Carb + Exercise Start Date: 1998; Restart May 2007 @355; WLS March 2010	I don't have a band, I have a VSG... and HT has RNY... but thanks!

02-14-2013, 11:59 AM	#7
myyellowstang Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lone Star State Posts: 13,883 Gallery: myyellowstang Stats: 286/142/135	Oh and most of the people I know who've had it removed WERE due to erosion or slippage, but then keep in mind I worked in the OR setting for almost 9 years.

02-19-2013, 05:04 AM	#8
greybb1 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: The South y'all Posts: 1,252 Gallery: greybb1 Stats: 320/238/175 WOE: Atkins Start Date: September 2011	I haven't had restriction for years. I am having a problems now with eating anything solid. It started only occasionally and now it's happening on a regular basis. The biggest problem is that I'm having trouble finding a doctor who will remove it since I had it done in Mexico! I've heard it's something to do with "liability", but if I had it done by a doctor in the US, no problem. Like I got some second class band and had it done in a back ally in Mexico! It was done by one of the best bariatric doctors in the world. It just makes me so mad! Since this problem with food getting stuck is getting worse I'm going to go to my GP and ask him to refer me to a bariatric surgeon. Maybe that will help. What do they want? Me to get so bad off that I require emergency surgery? I'm really frustrated. Can you tell?

02-19-2013, 06:23 AM	#9
myyellowstang Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lone Star State Posts: 13,883 Gallery: myyellowstang Stats: 286/142/135	What part of the US are you in? I feel your frustration! The liability thing doesn't make sense to me, but doctors do it all the time. Band removal is different than band maintenence though so that one I just do not understand. I know surgeons that would do it in a heartbeat if neccessary.