Preparing to begin the steps to having Lap Band Surgery

I am 21 years old. I have been struggling with my weight since about the age of 12. I few years ago I was diagnosed with hormonal PCOS which means I have the irregular periods, weight gain, hair loss, etc that comes with it without the cysts. I have decided that lap band will be the best choice for me in starting to lose weight and get back to a healthier me. I am going to have to do a 6-month observation by my doctor before having my surgery. Just looking for any advice or success stories. Thank you for any advice or success stories.

I sincerely hope that you have considered the other WLS options.  While the lap band might seem easy, it has a very high rate of complications, isn't meant to stay in the body forever, and while the band itself can be removed, the complications often cause permanent damage - like erosion into the esophagus.  

Everyone I know in real life who has had the band has since revised to the sleeve or bypass.  

Please bear in mind that I am a very happy and very successful bandit now 8 years post-op. I do not regret my band, would do it all over again and if I ever have to have it removed, I would hope to have a replacement. I am the opposite to Gwen: of the almost 50 banded people I know in real life, only two have had to have their beds removed and several of those I know are over 9 years post-op. I admit to having lost track of some people. 

When I was banded in 2006, it was a miracle surgery. And for some people, who accept that they will still have to work hard, it is just that. It was and still is for me. But over the years it has become clear that serious complications necessitating further surgery are much more common than originally thought, some of these are avoidable by careful eating and by not keeping the band tight; unfortunately others are beyond our control.

We used to be warned about band slips, leaks and about ( very rare) erosion into the stomach tissue but it turns out that a build up of scar tissue round the band (causing it to tighten) is quite common.

It can be very difficult to get the right level of restriction and some people are tempted to keep it tight enough to physically limit food, in fact it was once thought this was how it should be. But this causes food to back up into the oesophagus and that risks problems such as oesophageal dysmotility which may be irreversible. It can also damage the vagus nerve.

We still need lots of will power. The band makes it easier by dimming hunger, but it does nothing for head hunger and, contrary to popular opinion, it does not and should not physically stop us eating. If it does it is too tight!

Having said all that, I love my band, I know many successful long term bandits in real life. On this board, you will find more people who will put forward the case against the band than in favour of it and I do not for one second question their experiences. But my own experience has been good and so has that of almost all those I actually know and have met.

My advice is to research your surgery options carefully, including the common complications of the band.

If you've been battling your weight since you were 12, what makes you think a tool that simply helps you eat less will be the answer?  I'll bet you're a champion dieter already, and if you get little results today I doubt you'll do much better with a restriction-only procedure.  strongly suggest you look at all procedures and compare 'how' they work (because wls isn't one-size-fits-all) to how your body reacts to your efforts to lose weight. 

Go to the WLS Revisions, WLS Complications and WLS Regrets forums and read of those who have had the band and have had to have a second surgery to get something else.  The band was once touted as the "least invasive" but the damage it's done to so many is bringing it down fast on the popularity scale. 

If you've struggled with your weight since you were 12, and if you've been diagnosed with PCOS, you most likely have some metabolic problems that make it VERY difficult for you to lose weight. I'm guessing you've been on some seriously low-calorie diets in the past, with very poor results. This makes you a not-so-good candidate for a Band.

The ideal Band patient has a BMI below about 45, has had good success in the past with low-calorie diets, and has no known metabolic problems. Even for 'ideal' patients, the Band has the lowest long-term, maintained weight-loss stats, and the highest re-operation rate.

If you truly think simply restricting your calories will bring you long-term success, I *still* think you should consider the VSG/Sleeve instead of the Band. The Band absolutely has a limited lifetime, usually less than ten years. I assume you're looking for a permanent solution to obesity, right?

Many people who've had a Band and then revised to a Sleeve say that the Sleeve does what the Band promised, but failed to deliver.

You should also seriously consider the RNY and the DS. Both have a greater effect on the metabolism, both in terms of long-term weight-loss AND in treating or preventing diabetes. (I believe PCOS is a common precursor for Type II diabetes.)

I know you were looking for encouragement to have the band, unfortunately the results from the Lapband are inconsistent and there is a higher chance of complication. My Doc explained it this way - 1/3 of the patients do really well - 1/3 lose some but aren't really happy with their weight loss - 1/3 lose nothing.  At your young age chances that you would eventually have a complication is higher. You will always have a foreign body in your body. My doc says with the band it also requires the most follow up long term. He wants you to come in every 3 months for the rest of your life. Where as after you finish losing your weight with the other surgeries it's come in once a year and get your blood checked.  Hopefully your surgeon will talk to you about the choices. You have time to think about it. Spend some time on these boards, there is a lot of good stuff here. Good Luck!

" He wants you to come in every 3 months for the rest of your life. "

HE'S just looking to make a big payday! After the first couple of years, I was seeing my doc about once every six months. For the last several years, it's been once a year - MAYBE - if I feel like I need a fill or just want to check in.

The first year I seen my doctor about once a month or every other month. Then went to once or twice a year. Now I haven't seen him in almost 2 years. Every things  been good. Have any questions feel free to message me