Concidering Lap-Band Surgery

Congrats on the revision!

Are u going to be at the WLSFA Vegas Meet & Greet?

In October it will be 10 years since I got my lapband, I'm one of the old timers I geuss.  I'm having a revision in 5 days to a DS, because I feel that the RNY is a less effective surgery with life altering conditions that are unaccepatble to me, and the VSG isn't going to keep the weight off long term in my situation.  My port no longer functions, you can't get fluid in or out.  I lost weight initially and then it all came back and more so, now my metabolism is so messed up no matter what I do the weight won't come off, and I've tried it all.  Most happy lapband folks are only a few years or months out, or were lightweights to start with.  There are perhaps 2-3 folks on OH with maybe 7 years with their lapband, but their few and far between, and they work their tail off to keep the weight off.  I do not know anyone who is 10 years out who has not  either revised to another surgery, or had problems, or had the band removed.  Most bandsters I know have had complications by 5 years, if they last that long.  The Band is not a long time fix, you will have to have surgery again in the future if you choose it.   Also your BMI is too high for a restrictive only surgery, not trying to hurt your feelings but it is.  I'm actually pretty lucky, I didn't have some of the more horrible band complications that I've heard of, like the lady who had a loop of intestines herniate out of her port incision and die off, she had to have emergency surgery and had a revision to a VSG.  There are nightmarish stories out there about the band just like any other WLS, just because its considered 'safer' by a tiny percentage doesn't make it the best choice.   I have been choked by this band for over 9 years, I can't recommend to anyone that they subject themselves to living like this.  Good Luck.

I agree with u completely about NOT being able to recommend the band!

Good luck with your revision!!!

Hi There,

I started out much heavier than you and my first surgery was RNY. Now for some people this works well but it didn't for me. I was able to get about 155 pounds off but gained back 60 and just about got it back off again. The reason I was able to get it off was I had a revision to DS. Please don't do the band and read my profile if you like.

Do yourself a favor and only get cut once.

Sophia

 I wanna thank everyone very much for your input.  Right now in my life Im scared as hell and feel like I dont know which way to turn. I cant even stand more than  10 minutes before it starts bothering me. Im not gonna lie and say Im not looking fo a quick fix but I am. I have been heavy for basically my whole life.  started gaining in grade 6.  I know that I cant loose weight on my own, afraid of so many things. Its hard when your going at it alone. Again thank you for all of your input.  I greatly appreciate it.

Good luck to you on whatever one you end up getting :o)

Just remember all the WLS no matter which one you get is just a tool that is it , nothing more nothing less.

If you dont eat righ****ch what you eat, how much eat, and exercise it dont matter which one you get you wont lose weight if you dont do them things.

Each one of them has their advantages and disadvantages look into all of them and see what fits you best.

I went to support group meetings and listented to people that had the gastric , the sleeve and the lapband and at the end I chose the lapband because that is the one that best fitted my needs .

I wish you all the best in your journey

 
~~I went to support group meetings and listented to people that had the gastric , the sleeve and the lapband and at the end I chose the lapband because that is the one that best fitted my needs~~

You told me the band was the only option your family would pay for???

 
I totally relate to the fear.  Fear of staying obese, fear of not losing, fear of medical issues, fear of surgery, fear of life in general.

You know, I really do understand your wanting a quick fix, it is desperation mode kicking in full force. I might have considered a dangerous surgery at one point if that was my only option just due to desperation.  But I would have only considered it if it had a chance in hell of working.  The band does not work long term.  The damage done to your body from the band is foreverm the weight loss is not.  You think quality of life is bad now, wait until you can't eat food or drink water because of an obstruction, slip, swelling, or a host of other reasons.

How well do you do on liquid diets?  Do you have a problem sticking to them?  I sure did.  With a band do you have any clue how many days will be liquids only?  Liquids only post op (as with all surgery types), liquids after every fill, liquids after every stuck episode, liquids and an unfill to fix a slip, liquids when you are too tight such as every morning for many.   Then you have embarrassing social situations.  You go out to dinner with someone and your first bite you get stuck. You spend the evening in the bathroom horking up some odd piece of food.

With your BMI you obviously have metabolic issues going on as well.  It's not your fault you are obese, it is your body reacting ineffectively to various foods.  A band is not going to fix the metabolic issues.

I get so sick and tired of hearing people that don't know what they are talking about claim the band is the safest procedure.  It most certainly is not!  The SURGERY is safer by a very small percentage, long term banding has as many risks as bypass but different risks.  The longer you have it the more the problems start to kick in.  Everyone loves their band for the first six months. It's usually about the 2 year point when the real problems begin.

I wish you could see the band grad board.  It's only for people who have had a band for 1 year or more so you can't read it but it's nothing but people whining about their bands, lack of weight loss, inability to reach goal, problems, issues.... what I don't understand is why they hide it from the newbies.  I'll bet you there aren't more than 5 people there at goal.

If the quick fix worked I would understand the risk.  But it doesn't work well, then what are you going to do?  You'll be in the same position as you are today BUT your risk for a revision surgery will be 3 fold.  Will your gov't even pay for a revision surgery?  I don't have a clue how your health care system works.

Don't get an ineffective surgery type out of desperation, you are in this for the long haul.

HI,

I had a band for 5 years and started with a BMI of 54. I lost 155 pounds in 18 months and for the next 3 1/2 years suffered every band complication you could imagine and slowly regained my weight.

Now I have the sleeve and have been maintaining my weight for 3 years. Just know if you get the band, it is a medical device subject to device failure like slippage, erosion,port and tubing problems etc...

How would you like to lose all the weight and gain it all back due to product failure rather than compliance issues. At your weight, I would consider something permanent. The band is not permanent although many think it is. I think there are less than 20 people a round here who have had their bands for more than 5 years. Prove me wrong long term bandsters.......


Babs

 
Nonono... you don't understand!

According to banded people those that are long termers are at goal and out living their life and that is why they don't post. ;o)

Apparently it's only every other surgery type that still posts after their surgery long term. ;o)