I am not an apologist for band problems! I accept there are many of them  but bands implanted in 1996 were very different from more modern bands and were placed using a different surgicsl technique.

Hey Kate!

Hope all is well.

This may have been the surgically adjustable band . . .  maybe the Molina???  Used to know but don't recall the history of the Band.  Certainly was in Europe first - the fill adjustable type.

Best,

Layla

Hi Layla,  not sure - I even wondered if it was the non-adjustable sort. But whatever, it would be very different!  How's things with you?

I am very happy with my band at almost 7 years post op. Please message me if you have any questions. :)

I had a band for 3 years, lost a good amount of weight.  It's not the best choice unless you consider it temporary and are willing to risk not being able to revise to a different surgery if it fails you.

Here's my primary reason.  We are told to avoid vomiting at all costs.  Really, how reasonable is it that one would never need to vomit after getting a band?  You're young...what if you get pregnant and develop hyperemisis (there is no 100% effective anti nausea treatment, especially in pregnancy)?  You risk having to have surgery while pregnant if your band slips.  

Losing weight can cause gallstones...one of the symptoms of this is severe pain and vomiting.  Most people who have WLS end up getting their GB removed.  The band is the only WLS that has the added risk of complications just because you might vomit.

What are the chances that you will never have food poisoning or a stomach virus again?  Especially at 23...what if you go out partying and drink too much...?

I was 60 when I got my band.  At 16 months I had acute gallbladder pain and vomiting from gallstones.  I had a barium swallow showing no slip, but a couple of months after GB removal, I started having reflux, palpitations and trouble swallowing.  I followed up with my band doc throughout...no slip.  At 2 years out, I got so I could not swallow water.  No slip, but a very tight opening at my stoma...only 3.5 cc in a 10 cc band.  Had all fluid removed.  Recheck at 5 weeks, still slow esophageal emptying, trouble eating, but told to "take it easy".  I developed aspiration reflux of stomach acid and severe constipation...followed up with GI doc.  At 2.5 years had both Type A influenza followed by type B and vomiting with both due to high fever...symptoms continued to gradually progress to almost complete intolerance of solid food. Had EGD, gastric emptying study, barium swallow and esophageal manometry.  It turns out I had no esophageal function at all.  I was referred to a esophageal surgeon, *****moved my band which turns out had migrated up on to my esophagus, 3 cm above the gastroesophageal junction.  I had a "thick rind" of scar tissue around my esophagus under the band, which could not be removed, but was just devided to allow food to pass.  

It was initially thought that my band was misplaced by my surgeon.  I've since seen surgical photos that show a properly placed band.  It seems my band moved up 6 cm probably as a result of the two bouts of influenza causing me to vomit.  The mini plication that holds the band at the stomach was still intact, the stomach was pulled up and slightly twisted and I'm fortunate not to have had much more serious issues.

It's simply unrealistic to expect not to have an illness that would cause vomiting ever again.  VSG is a much safer option over the long term, especially at such a young age.

Best of luck to you...

If you talk to Anyone with a Band what your apt to hear if they are post-op to 3yrs out. I Love my Band, I have lost (fill-in-blank-) amount of weight.

Yes, I have to go for a "FILL" =Saline put into the port Monthly for anywhere from  2-6 months before I start to feel like i have restriction and my band is helping me to eat less.

I also experience PB ing= productive burping burping food up but not out. Sliming= saliva goes into overdrive when trying to swallow food, vomiting= because food gets stuck or you've eaten to much.

I Vomit sometimes daily because my band is too tight so I go to have an unfill, But if  I've had it longer then it' possible that the internal scar tissue around the stomach and the band is causing me to feel tight. So I can't always eat when i want to.

But most believe these are all small prices to pay for getting a band and losing weight.

Some get a band and Never lose weight OR minimal amounts. have port flips or the tubing breaks and then you need that repaired.( more surgery)

PRAY you don't experience any difficulty swallowing because then the fill has to be removed, and you'll probably start an endless cycle of Fills and Unfills.

Reflux  Rate 33%  you'll experience it, erosive esophagitis 44%  experience it as well..it's NOT Normal with a band, and you'll probably be put on Meds.

IF... you start to vomit daily then you have to worry about the band slipping and being removed.

IF.. you manage to maintain your band AND WL past 5 years again PRAY that you have NO Damage

  IF....you start to develop problems being able to swallow anything Healthy OR develop PAIN in the chest, esophagus, abdomen, shoulder, PRAY your Surgeon "believes" you and listens to your Concerns. OR you'll NEED a new surgeon.

The Biggest issue with a Lap band is the Failure rate, Revisions are 60%. AND not getting AFTERCARE, IMHO Aftercare is 80% of having a band, and too few Dr's give descent aftercare. Sorry but if your looking for WLS that have positive long term results the BAND just isn't it . The band isn't reversible it's Removable. The damage done isn't  least invasive.

 Something that you should read is the complications from a band from  Allergan now owned by Apollo Endo  one of the manufacturer's of Bands.

http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/lapband_dfu.pdf

 It's a List that your Dr. MAY tell you about, But will only mention a few, and probably tell your that THEY are RARE, BUT they are not.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/

Above is another site Titled

Complications associated with adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity: a surgeon’s guide

 GOOD LUCK

I to was a "perfect lap bander"  Only to gain back have issues and had to fight my insurance to get it removed as the went to once in a lifetime WLS.  Than I had to fight to get the sleeve.  I was sleeved 1/13 after healing 4-6 month from the sleeve.  At two years out am 55/60 pounds less than I every got to with the band.  All weight loss surgeries have pluses and minuses but, I found the sleeve to do what I thought the band would and didn't.

I was told revision's lose slower and less than a virgin WLS.  So I wonder how easier it would have been if I was never banded.  I wish I had gotten the sleeve in my 20's, my daughter did.

Thank you everyone! I really appreciated everyones input. I talked to my surgeon more, and he said he wouldn't do a sleeve on someone with a "low" BMI of 40 so I am going through with the lap-band. 

I hope you'll consider doing more research. You're really doing a disservice to yourself by choosing the band. It's so very dangerous. I speak from experience. I just spent the weekend in such tremendous pain from the damage incurred during banding. I know it doesn't happen to everyone... but it happens with startling frequency... and enough to be a real concern. I really hate for someone so young to end up with disappointment or permanent damage. Best of luck to you, sincerely. I really hope you'll take the time to research the long list of band complications and decide against banding for the sake of your health long term.