No pain No Gain

Looking to have surgery in feb 2012 is it safe to assume that after surgery there will be problems i have done several reviews where lap bands slip and also leaking which concern me so while i believe in no pain no gain i also would like to know upront has anyone had surgery and had no complications after surgery? 

 I had nothing but pain with the band. I was never so happy to go into surgery than I was the day I had my band removed.

thanks for the reply how long did you have it in?

About 2 years. It was sheer misery, too.

I should have had the band removed immediately, but I had a "surgeon" who kept telling me the chronic pain was in my head. (Turned out that the band caused my stomach to twist into a figure 8 and my intestines to kink. A DIFFERENT surgeon diagnosed and treated me. I'm only alive today because of him.)

I had several corrective surgeries, spent thousands on treatments that didn't work and ultimately had to have the band removed when I couldn't even find the strength to lift my head off the bed.

I still have damage from it and it's been over 6 years since it was removed.

I have been banded almost 2 years. No complications whatssoever. Minimal pain after surgery. However, the band has not been the tool I'd hoped it would be. I spent a lot of time either very hungry or getting sick. I would be very hungry, go in for a slight fill and then be getting sick. I now choose to keep my band very loose. I was successfull in loosing the weight- 107 pounds in about ten months. I was self pay and I think the money I spent was a huge motivator. Would I do it again? no. I wish I had given it one more try on my own, it had been years since I tried to loose weight.

There are lots and lots and lots of people who have had no issue(s) with the band.

When you look at complication rates, you have to take some things at face value and some with a grain of salt. There are people (and I'm sure there are more than would be willing to admit) that have issues with post-op vomiting, for example, that is caused by their own behaviors, not the band. I will be the first to admit that there were a LOT of times, especially early on, that my stomach/band said "stop eating" and my brain said "one more bite", and I threw up. Band's fault? Hell no. Mine.

There are many people who keep their band too tight for too long and develop any number of problems. There are people who complain about how little they're losing, then admit that they haven't seen their surgeon for an adjustment in a year (sometimes more) or have NEVER had anything more than their initial fill. Again, it's not the band's fault. 

I developed a hiatal hernia after losing very fast with the band, and the HH caused me to have frequent vomiting. I dug my heels in and refused to go in for an upper GI to check the band because I was afraid of losing it. After almost a year of this, and finally reaching the point of almost constant vomiting, I had the upper GI which showed the HH and also that my band had a minor slip due to the vomiting. Band's fault? Again, no. 

There are people who "graze" around the band, or eat soft, fatty foods that go down easily, and they either have poor weight loss or weight regain. Again: USER problems.

Then there are people, like Maria and NM who have had nothing but problems right out of the gate: reflux, lack of restriction, etc. who CANNOT be blamed for their lack of success. Is it poor band placement, a not-so-hot surgeon, an inefficient product, dumb luck? Who knows. For the person experiencing it, it doesn't matter.

Unfortunately, there is no way to GUARANTEE band success. There is no way to guarantee ANY weight loss surgery success. But you CAN improve your odds. Investigate all the surgeries. Talk to people who have had them - in real life, if possible. DO NOT take advice about any procedure from anyone who has NOT had that procedure. Evaluate what you think will work best for you, your needs, your eating habits and your lifestyle. Then, go forth and lose.

For ME, the band was and still would be my only choice. I still would not want to have any of my stomach removed and any of my intestinal tract rerouted. That's a deal-breaker for me, pure and simple. If I had to do it all over again, I'd still choose the band. Is it right for EVERYONE? NO. But no surgery IS, regardless of what anyone tells you.

thanks betty b i knew i could count on you for a honest thorough answer thank u for being real

I've had the band almost 4 years.  Not one complication.  I do follow the rule about not drinking with my food and for an hour after I finish my last bite.  I also follow other rules and try to not stretch my upper tummy.  I'm not perfect, I truly believe I am lucky.  The band has saved my life - and I do believe I'd do it again in a minute!

you have lost 315lbs that is phenomenalis that all from the band?

I have had my band for over two years with no complications Theonly problems is when I EAT TO FAST OR CHEW TO BIG A BITE MY FAULT. The one bad aspect is when I  did get the flu last year I was very sick I had to have all my fluid out because I was vomiting so bad but in the long run it was the safe thing to do.  I have lost over 125lbs with it still reach goal about 10-15lbs but that is because I have alot of other medical conditions going on I will lose it through but I know if I didn't have the band done instead of staying out the same weight I would but 50+lbs on additional to what I had weighed previously. I would do it again without a second thought it saved my LIFE!!
I am also off more than 1/2 of medicines that I was before wls I am no longer consider diabetic,or have high blood pressure or high cholestrol or have copd