Can I please get a happy ending to this lapband fairytale?

Ok guys I'm getting a little bummed out here. I'm 2 months post-op and I'm getting a little scared reading many of the bad results posted. I'm starting to get paranoid waiting for my band to flip and erode as it unsnaps and migrates to my heart killing me in my sleep. See!! I'm getting freaked out here!! Somebody ease my pain and give me a happy ending before I go to sleep....PLEEEEASE!!!

Im not sure you can get a guaranteed happy ending to any situation so here is the flip to consider, all of the procedures have potential complications. If you lurked the other boards you may or may not find a lot of people sharing their side effects but you would learn that things happen. On the revision forum lapband is not the only procedure that gets revised (though yes, it does indeed get a pretty big chunk). Here are some potential side effects of RNY and DS:

RNY:

Nutritional Deficiencies

Hyperparathyroidism – due to inadequate absorption of calcium.

Iron deficiency, especially in menstruating females, and must be supplemented

Vitamin B12 deficiency may result in pernicious anemia and neuropathies.

Thiamine deficiency or beriberi is a rare one and occurs in cases where jejunum is being bypassed.

Protein malnutrition is a real risk and many patients require protein supplementation

Vitamin A deficiencies occurs in along with the deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins.

Pica

Fast weightloss often leading to flabby skin

Dumping Syndome

A stretched pouch which can lead to larger portions and weight gain a few years out and frequently can lead to revision

DS:

Hernia

Bowel Obstruction

Anemia

Osteopenia/Osteoporosis

Kidney Stones

Malodorous bowel motions and flatus (stinky bowel movements and gas)

Diarrhea

I didnt spend any time looking up VSG but I wanted to just let you know that the best you can do now after the fact is work hard to follow your band rules and try not to contribute to any potential complications. Sure there are plenty that may happen that are outside of your control, but there are so many things in life that outside of our control. If you were preop I might say rethink it, but as a post op just remember you chose this band for a reason try to remember those reasons and think positive. You can succeed with a lapband, even when it seems impossible because of everything you may read here. Best of luck!

Yeah I hate seeing it all too...but I knew there could always be a complication for me getting an wls done....I just take it day by day....Try and follow the rules and pray. One day I checked out some of the other wls forums and they have just as many complaints....so I dont stress too much! So far I love my band!

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4360860/Positive-L ap-Band-Stories-amp-Success-Post-Here/

And there have been a couple of photo parades recently to look at.

People post more when they have problems so it is easy to get a skewed view.

But yes, things can go wrong. this is a surgical procedeure to implant a mecahnical device. So tow areas that can go "wrong". Then, more than any other surgery, we rely on good after care, Number 3.  And number 4 - we are still in charge of our bodies and our psychology hasnt't changed!

But i have several times posted tables showing that the scaremonger figures for complications are not reflected internationally (can post again if you want).

Why is the band still the wls performed on over 90% of Australian wls patients? Why did bariatric surgeons say that many of them would chose the band for themselves?
http://www.formerlyfluffy.com/what-wls-would-bariatric-surge ons-choose-for-themselves/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4354865/Gastric-Ba nding-Shown-to-be-Safe-and-Effective/

I've been trying to read more good less bad.

I think there are more good stories on this forum than bad.   I know the bad are scary, but try to focus on all the good ones.  That's what I'm doing. 

No one in life is guaranteed a happy ending.  I could get killed this morning as I drive on the road. 

I'm a RN and I can tell that any procedure, any surgery CAN go wrong.  And when it happens to that person it's awful. 

BUT..........  things go right more than they go wrong.

You have the band.  You have the power to do everything you can do to keep it safe.  You have the power to work your band and get healthier.  If you do everything you know to do the best you can do, then that's the best you can do. 

Knowing things that can go wrong is good.  You would be able to contact your surgeon right away and not sit it out and let things get worse.

Right now I'm very happy with my band and what it's done for me.  We are a team and we take it one day at a time.  This journey is never over.  It takes work to be healthy, but it's so worth it.

Try to focus on all the good things the band can do.  Celebrate the fact that you have been given the chance to work the band.  I do!

Hugs,
Kristi

I understand your fear because sometimes I let those fears creep into my mind. 

I had a friend that after 2 years and 200 lbs with her band she had to have it removed because it slipped and there was excessive scar tissue.  But in my friend's case I try to remind myself that she knew something wasn't right but she waited months and months...it wasn't until she ended up in the ER and have emergency surgery that she finally did something.  I think maybe if she went to see her surgeon ASAP instead of waiting she might have been able to keep her band. 

So what I learned from this situation is if you think something is wrong or you don't feel right call your surgeon ASAP...don't delay.  Also, follow the rules.  I think if we are careful and don't abuse the band our chances are good.  (Of course there are those that have problems through no fault of their own).

In the four years I have been on this board, I have seen a lot of the successful bandsters move on and enjoy their new healthy lives.  There are many success stories and happy endings that don't get reported. 

When something traumatic happens, it's natural that the person would want to post here for moral support or to vent about it all. 

There are problems with the band, I have certainly had my fair share (surgery a year ago to fix a slip), but there are many successes as well.  Just follow your doc's instructions and think positive.  There are no guarantees.

The complication rate is reduced when:

The band is not over-filled.  A band that is too tight is almost guaranteed to cause pbs, reflux, slips and other miserable complications.

The patient is compliant with eating small meals (1/2 to 1 cup) and chewing thoroughly.  Over eating (pouch packing) causes, esophageal dilation, slips and reflux.

The band is "installed" properly.  A qualified surgeon who has stats that reflect low complication rates, is essential to minimizing your risk of complications.

This is not to imply that if a person has complications, they did not "work their band" or they failed their band...just that the risk of complications will be less.

One of the "complications" of banding is reflux...I had it for 10 years before I had my band, so I don't freak out if I have a bit of it now.  A repaired hiatal hernia is not going to be as "reflux proof" as a diaphragm that never had a hernia.

Another commonly mentioned "complication" is esophogeal spasms...my 170 lb, extremely fit husband (almost 64 and he is currently training for a half marathon) has this "complication" and has since his 20s...it happens to people with or without a band.

We all need to recognize that some of the "complications" of banding (with the exception of slips, port and tubing issues and erosion) happen to people who don't have a band.  Having a thourough pre-op work-up and screening for dismotility, hernias, etc can reduce the risk of some of these problems, post-op.

Just wanted to put that out there...

Steph