Does LAP-Band fail often

I posted on the LAP-Band board details about considering LAP-Band and it was suggested that I post here about failures... I'd like to know how many people on here have experienced failure? or complications?

I personally have had the RNY, but am with a surgeon that does both. I am part of an informal support community that includes both types of patients and have gotten to know several very well. I have two good friends who have had sucesssful Lap-bands last May, one is losing quite a bit more than the other. I believe the reason is that the one still drinks a lot of alcohol and refined carbs and sugars, the other basically follows the RNY rules. Both have had several fills to get the full feeling. One girl, however had a failed RNY. She had an enlarged, misshapen liver that was not detected during abdominal scans, and while trying to place the band, the surgeon nicked her stomach. He had to abort the procedure and told her he would not attempt it again. She really doesn't want RNY, so she's not sure what she'll do from here. He wants her to heal for 6 months and continue on a low carb weight loss program before discussing her options. There was no permanent damage form the failure, but mentally she was a wreck. Heather 297h/238s/184c/125g lap RNY 6/13/05

Often? Well, I don't know. I am actually on this forum looking to see if a Bandster I know who is having hers removed posts here. For whatever reason, nobody likes to discuss LapBand failure (including me!) Bandsters, by and large, worked hard and put up with lots of second-guessing in order to get our Bands, and if someone's does fail, it's hard to face a lot of "I-told-you-so" action. You know? Personally, at over 2 years out, I'm doing fine with mine. My DH has one too and he's doing well. I know a lot more success stories than failures. Do you lurk on the Band board? If you haven't yet, go back and read past posts. Find other Band boards and do the same. Band failure does happen, same as failure with any other procedure. I'm one of the fortunate majority, so I have no personal experience to share. jeanie

Truth is, Siobhan, that it can be very hard for banded people who have experienced failure and want to move on, to post about it here. That's probably because of a number of factors, not the least of which is the way the message boards themselves are set up here. The format here seems to attract new people. I've seen questions asked by those considering the process, and the overwhelming majority of the answers come from people who have been banded a few weeks, and almost always from people who have been banded less than a year. Deal is, that's the EASY time with the band. If you go to http://www.lapbandtalk.com and/or http://www.wlsforum.org/index.php you can find people who have been banded a while and who are having bands removed for various reasons. It isn't a LOT of people, but it is mostly people who were doing just great and then WHAM! And there are people who had problems with their ports, which became infected...and the band is still there, but it is no longer adjustable because the port was removed. When people try to post about bad exeriences, they are told that they don't know how to use the band properly or that they have compliance issues. I've even received hate mail and Admin has had to pull a couple of posts which stated that I was some kind of troll. I know why it happens...it's Psych 101/Logic 101 stuff and goes like this: 1--all I have to do is follow the rules, and it will work; 2--Mary is having trouble with the band; therefore, 3--Mary is not following the rules. They blame the person for whom the band is not working, in order to protect themselves from considering the possibiity that THEY could encounter failure. I once posted on other boards asking how many banded people had ever actually gotten to a weight that was "normal." It was very, very, very few. On another site, someone who has been banded for several years and is still on the high end of obese took it upon herself to "lecture" those who were complaining about their lack of progress. I don't know where you stand on this point, but to me, obesity two years post-wls is NOT success. For someone else, it MAY be...but for me, that would not be a success. Interestingly enough, those banded people almost always blame themselves and insist that all they have to do is start following the rules again, and everything will be just fine. But almost nobody does it. I imagine I'll soon be flamed for this post. But it's my honest answer. And, I'll be having my band removed and may not have time to read the responses anyway! Good luck on your quest. Sue

I was banded in 2003, my insides began to swell, and I began having obstructions..ultimately I had to have it removed 10 days later. I was over 400 pounds, and the surgeon felt I was to big for the band. Although, many my size have had it. I was also told due to scar tissue, he would not attempt again. He told me to loose 100 pounds in 4 months on a liquid diet....I was crushed, I mean if I could loose 100 pounds in 4 months, I doubt I would need surgery at all. I tried for 2 and a half years. I found a great surgeon who did my bypass 3 weeks ago. I wish I did it in the first place. Best of luck to you Gloria

I was banded in 2001 with the nonadjustable band. Within 9 months I lost over 140 pounds. Then I got pregnant...continued to lose throughout pregnancy and ended with a loss of 160 pounds (started @ 300 and got down to 140--my ideal body weight)... I had alot of vomiting during pregnancy, though, and ended up twisting my stomach beneath the band and nearly ruptured my esophagus (last 2 months of pregnancy i threw up blood every day...but they coudlnt' remove the band until baby was born). When my healthy baby boy was 1 month old, I had the band removed. within a year I'd gained 100 pounds. By 2 years, I'd gotten back to 300 pounds. Now I'm going for the roux-y bypass because there is such a risk of adheasions in my upper abdomen from the past two surgeries and surgeon isn't sure that the band would work for me again. I think anything can become complicated. You have to choose what you feel comfortable with and then feel confident you're doing the right thing. mary

WOW ! Gosh so sorry to hear about your issues but happy that you had a healthy baby Thanks for sharing with me and I wish the best for you for what ever you choose to do! Peace, Siobhan

How is your band working for you so far?

Thanks for asking Heather. It's going great !! I've hit a plateau but I am getting there slowly How about you? Peace, Eileen (formerlly Siobhan) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 260/225/155 Banded: 2/2/06 (Ground Hog Day!) www.jointhebandwagon.com New England LapBand Meetups: http://weightloss.meetup.com/235/

Not sure about often but it certainly does. I have been through heck. Was banded 12/04, lost 35 lbs in first 2 months then stopped, had several fills wtihin a couple months until full. MD did not suspect failure. Had my one year UGI test and my band had eroded through my stomach. Had it removed (another operation that may not be covered by insurance) waiting for another WLS. I look like a railroad track and am gaining weight by the day because my stomach is back to the original. Plus, I have worse reflux than even before. when I went to my new surgeon (dumped the original one), he said he would have never recommended it for me. I was pisssed that my doc did not have the integrity to tell me in the frst place. They just took my money and ran($15K) Lesson: be well informed, demand an honest discussion. I got led astray and I am an nurse. good luck to you, you'll need some no matter your choice.