I can't believe it......

I think the "foreign body" thing is overblown. I have a number of foreign bodies inside my human body. They're called dental fillings, bridges and crowns, and most of them have been there for decades. They don't cause me any problems except sometimes when I talk, instead of words coming out, there's a bunch of static and then this DJ from a country music station comes blaring out.

Seriously, now. I don't know why the adjustable gastric band is a menace but artificial hips (or pacemakers, or chemo injection ports) are not. If anyone figures that out, please let me know. Unless you have a history of auto-immune disease, there's no reason to think that the band will do you any harm.

I have my own private list of WLS procedures, with the band as first choice and other procedures ranging below it, but if the (for example) VSG (or RNY or DS or gastric plication) was the only procedure available and covered by my health insurance, I would probably go ahead with it, because the health risks of obesity are well known and well documented, whereas the risks of bariatric surgery are highly variable.

The Realize band and the Lap-Band (the only brands approved for use in the USA) work basically the same way. The Realize band is newer to the USA (but has been used overseas for many years under the name Swedish band) and supposedly has some design modifications meant to reduce complications and improve outcomes. Maybe if you post your question on the Realize band forum you can get some input from members who are better informed about it.

Good luck!
Jean

I thought about the foreign obect thing too. But, there was no way that I wanted my insides cut and rerouted. So FOR ME, I went with the band. I know of several people who are very successful with the band. As far as complications, we are all prone to having complications, no matter which surgery. My doctor only offered the Realize Band. I'm not sure if there is much difference in the LB and the Realize Band. Good luck with your surgery and weight loss journey.

It sounds like you have a very realistic approach in mind and I bet you will  do great with the band! It is not for everybody and it is not the fastest route out there but for the amt of wt you wanna lose there is every indicator that you will reach your goals ! Like you I did not want a permanent re-routing of my innards lol. Also I have 2 close friends who have had other forms of WLS (bypass and DS) and they had some scarey things go on and both have regained weight. So seeing them at this point yet again gaining I also liked the "Adjustable" part of the band. If I reach goal and backslide a little I can always go in for an adjustment and get right back on track!  Good luck on your journey!

Think of it this way, if you needed a stent in your heart, or a metal screw to fix a broken leg, would you decline to have the surgery because of the foreign object being placed in your body?  I've never thought of my band that way and am only grateful that it's an available tool that helped save my life.

If you qualify for the band and only want to lose less than 100 lbs, it's probably a great tool for you.  Just remember, you have to be committed to the maintenence involved.  You need to get regular fills to maintain restriction and even after the first year you may need to have tweeks made as a variety of things affect tightness of the band.

If you are willing to work on limiting your portions and changing the quality of foods that you eat the band is a a great help.  But no matter which surgery you have ultimately you have to be willing to change...for good!

Best wishes in your decision making!
Lisa O.