Removing Band at Goal Wieght

[CindyLou]

When I was at OCC there were two people there having their bands removed! They both said they had hit their goal wieght and were happy with the outcome. Both had been banded apprx. 2 years.

Why would someone do this? Wouldn't they just gain the weight right back?

I'm confused.

[nothereanymore]

For me, no, I have a problem with my relation ship with food. (We have issues….. its very sad) If I could have, I would have divorced food years ago.

I’ve done very well with my band and it’s been over 2 years to date. It’s taught me just as much about myself and dealing with my emotional attachment to food, as it has about how to eat food with a band. The emotional hunger is gone, but I know it has just as much to do with the fact that I have a pouch the size of a small fist as it does to what I’ve learned over the past 2 + years. I would worry that once it was removed and the football size stomach was put in charge again, it would be game over. I’d love to think that I was so strong and together that I would succeed – however at my age and after dieting as many years as I have – I’m smart enough to not bet on those odds.

I may change my mind someday; you never know - but I haven’t met anyone who’s had it removed. I’ve met a few that had slips after a few years and had to have it replaced.

Its interesting - I totally respect the fact that they can do this and I'd love to know their success rate and the outcome.

Lisa

One more thing I'm adding - I've removed close to half of the fluid from my band, however if I ever needed to really cut back and loose some weight I'd just go in and get another fill. This is really the reason why I chose lap band over GB, you are in control of your band - you decide if you need to have it tight or loose or whatever. You can't do that with GB and you can't do it if you remove it. So after thinking harder I've come to the conclusion that I most likely wont ever change my mind..

Best,

[jhawkchick75]

Agree with Lisa...never say never but right now I can't even imagine getting my band taken out. I just think if I lost concentration once it would be all over! I've never heard any studies that leaving the band in you long term would hurt you, so why not just leave it there. Even just get it unfilled I guess - then that way if you start to gain its just a matter of getting a fill. But who knows...great willpower if they think they can do it!

[stormy]

Maybe they had other issues with it but just didn't want to say anything. I myself dont have any plans to have mine taken out, when I meet my goal. This is one tool I am keeping.

[yoyodieter]

There is no way I would ever remove mine unless it was for a medical reason. I was always an expert at losing weight. It was the keeping it off that was my problem.

By now I would of gained back any weight i had lost and then some.

I LOVE MY BAND!!!

[mlgpdx]

This is one "foreign object" I will forever leave in my body! hahahahah... maybe you don't find it as funny as I do but on a personal note I have a thing for foreign men so it struck me funny.

[BrandNewDawn]

I cannot imagine having my band removed voluntarily unless I was having some kind of medical complication that just would not go away, even if the band was completely unfilled. I hope that never happens to me. I love my band and I still have a long way to go to get to goal.

I have never been a good dieter. I was even worse at keeping weight off. I know that without my lapband, I would be right back up in a matter of months and keep gaining. I have no reason to believe otherwise.

I respect them wanting to try to do it on their own. I can see that after a few years and lots of lifestyle changes that some people might be confident enough to try to go it alone. Not me, but some people I guess.

[BandDiva]

Why would you spend all that money for temporary weight loss? I am with Stormy, maybe there were other reasons why they were getting it removed and didn't say. For me, I wouldn't put my body through un neccessary surgery again. Plus, it is a big gamble if you have been obese, to go back to the way your body was. TOO RISKY, if you ask me!

[Trav]

For me, it will be medically necessary to have my band forever.

In high school, I was extremely active, but I also had to consume copious amounts of food. I played football AND hockey at the same time..(for reference, Hockey is the most calorie burning sport next to cross country running (and that's debatable), so I was consuming 4-5000 calories a day, JUST to maintain. 5'10" large muscular build and only weighed about 156)...at any rate, that caused me to stretch out my stomach, and ever since then, I have to eat enough for THREE PEOPLE to feel full...(and then still be hungry 1/2 an hour later). It finally caught up to me for the last time in my mid 30's, and I said enough is enough.

Now, I've been banded for a month. I am going to postpone my 1st fill. Most of you veterans will be shocked, but here's why. I love food, but, this is the first time in my adult life, I've been able to eat a NORMAL sized portion, and FEEL full. I'm very happy with it, and the weight is still coming off. I'm not quite to the 1/3 of my usual consumption, so by those guidelines, it's still okay. I eat about 1 small sandwich, and half a side, and I feel good about it.a couple pieces of pizza instead of the whole pizza. I order off the menu, instead of cleaning out the buffet.

[nothereanymore]

I think that's smart, you're loosing weight and eating at a pace you're comfortable with.

You'll know when you need a fill and you'll most likely be more prepared to handle it and drop even more weight. You're doing incredible - congrats.

One note you might want to book one out, and find out what their cancelation/change date policy is, a lot of placed get filled up around New Year – everyone gets back on the “band” wagon and starts looking to get a fill. There’s nothing worse than needing a fill and not able to get an appointment.

Best,

Lisa

[karenlynn79]

For me, it will be medically necessary to have my band forever.

In high school, I was extremely active, but I also had to consume copious amounts of food. I played football AND hockey at the same time..(for reference, Hockey is the most calorie burning sport next to cross country running (and that's debatable), so I was consuming 4-5000 calories a day, JUST to maintain. 5'10" large muscular build and only weighed about 156)...at any rate, that caused me to stretch out my stomach, and ever since then, I have to eat enough for THREE PEOPLE to feel full...(and then still be hungry 1/2 an hour later). It finally caught up to me for the last time in my mid 30's, and I said enough is enough.

Now, I've been banded for a month. I am going to postpone my 1st fill. Most of you veterans will be shocked, but here's why. I love food, but, this is the first time in my adult life, I've been able to eat a NORMAL sized portion, and FEEL full. I'm very happy with it, and the weight is still coming off. I'm not quite to the 1/3 of my usual consumption, so by those guidelines, it's still okay. I eat about 1 small sandwich, and half a side, and I feel good about it.a couple pieces of pizza instead of the whole pizza. I order off the menu, instead of cleaning out the buffet.

Trav I think you are on top of things without the fill. They say that if you are losing and in control you don't actually need one. I postponed my first and second fill because I wasn't ready to lose way back when, and when I was ready I did it 100%.