Dismal Stats! :-(

Well we should all be in this together, considering the bond we have as obese/formerly obse individuals. That's why it never ceases to amaze me the way so many bandsters on this forum ATTACK those of us with band problems! All that............"your scaring the newbies" crap! Well they SHOULD be scared! I would be terrified if I knew BEFORE I was banded what the Lap-Band can REALLY be like! I don't tell anyone to not get the band b/c my experience was bad or your experience was bad. I say pay attention and do your research! Read the studies. Read the revision forum. Ask questions on the OTHER WLS forums b/c you will find so many FORMER bandsters on there! It is so sad that there are so many bandsters that are so defensive about their own decision to be banded that they would want to keep relevent info from those that are pre-band!!! :-(

Well, I think it all depends on what type of experience you've had. Those of us who have had negative experiences will have more negative things to say. Those who haven't experienced such things can't fathom them happening, just as we can't fathom the band being a good thing.

I do think that everyone has to realize that the problems can and do occur... and with greater frequency than most might realize. But, everyone has to go on their own path. If I could have a wish come true, it would be that we all simply could be healthy and happy without surgical intervention. But, that's not reality, sadly. 

We're so fragile, we humans, in so many ways, aren't we? But, we have amazing strength, too. I guess that's the beauty of Life.

Exactly! We all post our experience on here. That is what the band forum is SUPPOSE to be for! Unfortunately, there are some on here that feel we don't have the right to post our negative experiences. I have always said that those pre-band need to hear ALL the info. They  post possitive............b/c that is the experience they have had. I post negative............b/c that is MY experience. PPL NEED TO HEAR BOTH SIDES! That is why I tried to be fair and post some possitive band stories on my WLS blog............TO BE FAIR. But then a few wks. ago I was trashed by one of the bandsters here for having possitive band stories on there! Hell I can't win for losing with this band forum group here! So after that attack I will ONLY post MY band experience and NEGATIVE band studies/reports/experiences now! See what some of these bandsters have brought on? Lol.

Now as far as your last statement........LOVE IT!

We're so fragile, we humans, in so many ways, aren't we? But, we have amazing strength, too. I guess that's the beauty of Life.

Maria I want to hear everyone's experience good and bad. I do have to tell you though when I joined last month the way you were saying things made me want to skip your posts. I am glad that I didn't because there is valuable info in them. I think over the last few weeks you have been doing a great job of sharing your info and experience in a better way. I hope that makes sense.

Over the last few wks. I've hardly posted..............but thanks. ;-)

Here's MY side of the band story.  I had the band in 7/09 and followed the plan PERFECTLY. Lost 50 in 3 months!  In October 09 (yes, three months later)...I had a full slip.  The pain was like an out of body experience.  My stomach slipped entirely through the band and clamped off the bottom.  I couldn't even swallow my saliva.  To make matter's worse. I went to the ER and they sent me home after reading my upper GI wrong.  I then went back and screaming pain on all fours in the hospital until I demanded a new doctor who diagnosed my slip and removed the band.  I was screaming and vomiting on the way into the ER and I was convinced I was going to die. 
I was so utterly traumatized.  No amount of dilaudid could control the pain.  AFTER a year an a half of therapy, I jumped into WLS and got the vertical sleeve gastrectomy.  I live a normal life, never vomited once and eat normally (just way less).
There are way more than ONE study.  I found out that the LapBand company reports the same findings that 50% have to removed and 99% have complications.  Trust me...  I am not looking to scare anyone.  If you are having a great experience...GOOD for YOU!  I just feel compelled to share my story.  WLS is a personal decision but you need to do your research. 
Thanks.

Omg! Just 3 mos.! I hate to hear stories like that, and I know ppl get pissed off at me when I mention that things like that can happen.................but pre-ops have the right to know that that could potentially be THEM!!!

So glad you were able to revise to an effective and save WLS! Best of luck with your VSG!

The old research student in me is sad to see a study this poorly conducted in a possibly? peer reviewed medical journal. This study has no ability to be generalized to ANY population with that kind of methodology. I'm really shocked that they were even able to find a venue to be able to have this published. This study is a poor example for lap-banders on both ends of the spectrum as it has nothing good to say (based on biased results) and nothing bad to say (due to biased results).

Perhaps you could do your own study?