Lap Band Myths:

LAP BAND MYTHS: AN EXPOSE i would like to take a minute(or ten) to disabuse people of some of the more popular myths about the LAP BAND. i've seen many posts where people ask for information about the lap band on this forum and are given misinformation. in an effort to shed some light on this topic, i have included several of my favorite myths. also, please feel free to drop by the Lap Band forum hosted by this website--you may access it from the main/welcome page using the pull down menu--go to LAP BAND FORUM. cheers! Myth #10: Slower weight loss compared to RNY (truth: lap band patients lose an average of 1-2 pounds per week and it is not uncommon for patients to lose 25-35 pounds in the first month and 4-9 pounds each month after with no malnutrition issues!!!) Myth #9: Maintence is difficult (getting a fill in the band) (truth: a fill takes about 5-15 minutes and is only required when weight loss slows or plateaus. the fill of saline is injected into the port and it inflates the band causing greater restriction on the stomach.) Myth #8: The Port is visible/painful/located on your forehead (truth: the port is not visible and is only tender for a few weeks after surgery. most ports are placed on the right side of the body about two inches above and to the right of the belly button. if you press gently, you can feel the port--feels like a quarter--which is SEWN into place so it doesn't 'free float' in your body.) Myth #7 Bands can snap/break (truth: the band is made of durable plastic--not glass!) Myth #6 The band can erode into the stomach (truth: there are few recorded cases like this and many were during the FDA trials in the late 1990s.) Myth #5 The band can slip out of place (truth: again, during the US FDA trials in the late 1990s, there were a few problems with the band, but doctors worked to remedy them. today bands are stitched into place to prevent slippage.) Myth #4 Lap Band patients gain their weight back (truth: RNY patients gain weight back too if they don't follow a sensible diet! WLS is a TOOL to help you in the weight loss battle--if you're not dedicated to a healthier life it's possible that no surgery can help you.) Myth #3 Lap Band Surgery is Experimental (truth: lap band surgery is not experiemental, though some insurance companies try to deny it as such. please take the time to speak with your insurer to see what can be done about this. i have Health Net of the Northeast and they approved me in 8 days!) Myth #2 Lap Band Surgery is not for seriously overweight people (truth: there are many patients on our board who started in the 350-400 range and are doing quite well--come to the board and talk to them.) Myth #1 I WILL NOT LOSE AS MUCH WEIGHT WITH THE LAP BAND (truth: several post op studies have shown that lap band patients actually lose MORE than RNY patients over a 3-5 years span. why is that? well, as a lap band patient you can continue to have your band filled and drastically decrease your restriction. on the lap band site, there are about 60 of us who post regularly and between us all we have lost over 2,000 pounds. LAP BANDS DO WORK! i am living proof--you have to be willing to make changes in your lifestyle...but the band is a highly effective tool that does NOT change your anatomy. the mortality rate is almost NILL! one person's death has been attributed to the lap band surgery in over 100,000 surgeries. please come check out the lap band board if you would like to speak with others. i know this is a long post, but i'm tired of all the incorrect information posted about the lap band. surgery is a HUGE decision, but it is easier if you have accurate information.

Thank you very much for sharing that, you made some excellent points. ~Crystal

THANK YOU so much for setting the record straight.

denise, i'm so glad you posted this informative 'expose'--it's so helpful and true, but i guess i'm biased because i wrote it. you can find it on my profile...i wrote it because i was so tired of people giving misinformation about the lap band. i'm glad it has been helpful to you and others. all the best with your surgery! cheers, allie m. lap band lover 287/252/???

I needed this right now. I am vacillating though I have thought this is the best route for me for quite some time, I keep wondering if the wt loss will be enough. I have about 140 lbs to lose. So thank you. I will be over on that message board to check things out.