Seeking lap band stories

I do not have a good band story. I was banded in Jan '09. Had my port replaced in Aug '09. Ended up losing about 80 pounds in the first year. On my one year anniversary, ended up in the ER with a slipped band. Was on the operating table three days later to have it surgically repaired. The next year we never reached the sweet spot at all and during the 3rd year we fought insurance to pay for a revision which we ultimately lost after about 4-5 appeals. They paid for the removal but not the revision. ended up negotiating with the hospital/surgeon for the revision and had the revision done on Nov. 29, 2011. Having some bumps in the road, but overall I think things will get better.

I would highly recommend NOT choosing the band under any cir****tances.

I had the band surgery about 9 years ago. Came out of the operating room with a damaged diaphragm and incredible amounts of pain. The pain continued and I should have insisted on band removal immediately. However, I believed my shyster surgeon when he claimed there was "nothing wrong" with me. Unending, chronic, unbelievable pain ensued.

I finally sought out a specialist 6 months later who determined that the band had twisted my stomach into a Figure 8, I had a bowel obstruction and was on the verge of death. I had emergency surgery in an attempt to stay alive. However, the pain was still a constant after the band repositioning surgery.

I've had multiple "corrective" surgeries and I still have permanent damage from the lapband. I wish I had never even heard of the device. It's torturous and brutal. It's really not less invasive at all. Most people require more than one surgery when it comes to the band.

Even those who didn't have as bad of an experience as I did find themselves having complications quite often at around 2-3 years out.  The band is touted as long term... when in reality, it's very short term for most people. If you're lucky, you end up not permanently damaged. If you're unlucky like I was, you pay for the band forever. 

Read the Revisions board. The facts are there in black and white... revisions FROM the band to other Weight Loss Surgery options. Save yourself a step and choose one that is more effective to begin with.

I'm very happy with my band. I'm a little over 4 years post-op. 
 
I invite you to visit OH's Lap-Band and Realize Band forums to get more input.  The members who've responded to your post here are sharing their (perfectly understandable) disappointment with the band, but many banded members never visit the main forum. I think your choice should be based not only on success stories but also stories about daily living with the band. Deciding which procedure to have can be a tough one, and there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all WLS. In addition to gathering as much information as you can here on OH,
I think you need to pick your surgeon's brain, too.

Good luck!
Jean

 I'm 8+ years out and still happy with both my band and my weight loss. That's not to say that there have not been bumps in the road, but I realize that they have - with one exception - been of my own doing. However, I would choose the band again for the same reasons I chose it in 2003: I still do not want any procedure that will remove the majority of my stomach or dissect my intestinal tract. The only procedure that fits those parameters is the band.

Keep in mind that, although no one seems to want to mention it, you can defeat ANY weight loss surgery. Grazing/snacking and poor food choices will cause ANY WLS to be ineffective and CAN cause regain. ANY and ALL of them, despite what you read.

Only YOU can decide which procedure is right for you. Investigate them all, weigh the pros and cons against your hopes and needs and only then decide.

If you haven't already been over to the band forum, come on down!
www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/

just over one year and love my band down 70 pounds and off all my diabetic meds. walk with no more knee pain and i feal great not every one will agree so do what you  think is best for you  i have seen 6 people with by pass and they all aged fast and are gaing back there weight after 3 years i know 8 with band and only one not happy but that is her own fault she doesn't do what the Dr says.

Was banded 9/1/11 and if I had to do it again I would NOT chose the band.  It has been one issue after the other with the band.  I just had to have endoscopy 2 weeks ago because of food impaction.  I now have a complete unfill and on a full liquid diet  which is leaving me hungrier than before I ever had the surgery.  I have been to the ER and to my internal medicine Dr more times than I can count with dehydration issues and it causing my blood pressure to be extrememly low.  PLEASE research ALL of your options before making this very important descision.  I wish I had known then what I know now I would have went another route.

Jessica

I am 13 months out of my surgery down 80 pounds over 35 inches and two sizes of clothes.

I'm very  happy with my band and I am one of the very lucky ones that had good restriction right out surgery so I have not had a fill in my band at all . 

I just had my yearly exam done and he said from the test I have good restriction and with any kind of fill right now it would make me tighter then he is comfortable with.

I did have a major stall for a good four months but that was my fault.   I got very lazy with my exercise habits, I got lazy in the food dept.  Not over eating but not eating the right foods for weight loss.

That is another reason why I love my band , even though I wasn't the perfect angel with my foods and exercise the band kept me from gaining weight back and that is what I wanted from the band .   I never had problems losing weight , I had problems keeping the weight off .


I started back into my exercise and watching my food and I have lost 7 pounds in two weeks .

I can and do eat anything with my band but just in smaller portions.  I eat my pizza, my fries , my bread but I dont eat them foods every day now .  Pizza I eat once a month maybe twice a month if its just one of them months.

I dont regret getting the band and this is the only surgery I will have done .  This is a one and done deal. 

Good luck with whatever you chose to do.  No WLS out there is perfect . You can have major complications to minor complications with any of them, you can gain all your weight back with any of them .  It dont matter what surgery you have done it still comes down to you exercising , to eating healthy, to moderation , to portion control to lose weight.

There is some information on this site that you may find helpful in making your decision:

http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/lap-band-problems-la p-band-complications.html#Potential_Lap_Band_Problems

I believe it has information on other forms of WLS, as well. Whatever you choose, I hope you do well with it. Research until you're ready to 'frow up.

 as Bette says, you can eat around and surgery. not lose and/or regain all the weight. HOWEVER

consider a VSG as it provides the restriction the band is supposed to - and doesn't necessarily. keep reading!!!

I love my band!!!  It was the right fit for me!  I am just over 3 1/2 years post op and have maintained my 150+ weight loss for over 2 years.  I am now a healthy weight and loving my life!!  It's one of the most important decisions you will make.... I suggest you research all forms of WLS and pick which one is right for you.  They all have their pros and cons.  No matter which one you pick you will find people who are not happy and or have had complications.  Do your research and you will know which one is right for you!  Best of luck!