lapband

Has anyone here ever had the lapband at  a starting weight of 190 pounds? I'm 5'5 but I'm miserable. I've tried so many diets and I can lose about 4 to 5 pounds and then thats it. I really don't want to get any bigger than I am. I read where the FDA approved the lapband for anyone with BMI of 30 or 31 with co morb. I have an auto immune disease and arthritis and the extra weight makes my joint pain worse  and I'm 36 yrs old. Would appreciate any imput. I could afford to lose an easy 50 pounds.  

Run away from the lapband. Most people develop problems about 2-3 after banding... the manufacturers don't divulge this info, but it's true. FDA approved or not, we're going to be seeing a lot of physical damage caused by the lapband in the upcoming years. 

I had band surgery 9 years ago and am still suffering from the complications... and I had the band removed over 6 years ago. My diaphragm and esophagus were damaged. I can't even begin to describe the amount of pain the lapband has caused me.

It is NOT "less invasive" and if you do any amount of research here and on the Revision forum, you'll see how awful the consequences of banding can be. Don't put your health at risk with this device. It's almost guaranteed to add to your health issues. You'd be better off doing Weigh****chers, honestly.

I have empathy for what you're going through. That's the sole reason I post in honesty... so you don't have to go through what a lot of us already have.

I wish you the best.

Weight loss surgery is a personal decision, so please do not allow those with adverse experiences make that decision for you. I have known people who have had their lap-band for more than 5 years who have remained healthy without any health problems. None of the procedures should be gone into lightly and this is a conversation you should have with your PCP and then a reputable surgeon.

Best Wishes & Good Luck,

Carrie

Five years is not a lot of time when you still have a lifetime to live.

Please forget about the band and study about the other surgeries! You don't have alot to lose so MAYBE it would work but there are so many more complications that don't show up until year 2+ that you can't go by what the newer folks say, they are still in the honeymoon phase. I was there once then reality bit me. If I could get a revision I'd do it in a heart beat!

If you have an auto immune disorder, the band may not be a good choice for you.  Please go to allergan.com and read what they have to say about auto-immunity and banding.

If not for that, I'd tell you that banding or a sleeve might be options for you to consider.  But with the auto-immune factor thrown in, I'm not sure a band is a good idea for you.

Please discuss this with a few (not just one) bariatric surgeons.

Best of luck to you.

 I'm having the same problem.  I have only lost about ten pounds since April and it will come back on.  I've gotten one fill.  'm already thinking of removing it.  I'm very disapointed as well.

Hope your find something that works.

One fill has not even begun to give you restriction!!

I have been thinking about your question and the part that concerns me is that you already have an auto immune disease. The band itself causes inflammation to the tissue surrounding the stomach. I think your body would be spending a lot of time trying to fight off the foreign body, honestly.

The band "works" by saline being injected into the inner ring of the band, tightening it around the top portion of the stomach. The tissue swells due to being irritated. If you have to take medication to offset inflammation for  your arthritis, I think it might even render the band ineffective, possibly.  I'd be more worried, though, about how your body's physiology would react to the foreign body, honestly. It caused me a lot of pain all over... and I'm sure you're already experiencing pain due to the auto immune disease.

Keep researching because I'm sure there is a lot of information out there.