newbie, starting the journey

I am in the process of getting ready for lap band surgery. I have been reading this forum and others. Everyone here has provided a wealth of information and I appreciat that.
My main concerns are : it seems like that there are problems with the band, slips, erosionand others. I am wondering if this occured more frequently in the bands placed in the early to mid 2000's and if it was less now due to new techniques and more experience? The lifestyle change I think I can deal with, it will be tough, but it is better than some of the things that can happen to me if I don't lose weight. I am done with all of my testing and have a month and a half (doctor supervised weight loss plan for 6 months) till it is submitted to the insurance co. I have looked into this for the past two years and my diabetes are getting hard to control. I have lost some weight on the diet, but I need to keep it off and that is my biggest challenge. Sorry for rambling, but I am tossing this back and forth, weighing the pros and cons, praying to make the proper choice. Thanks for listening.

 GOOD LUCK TO YOU.  I HAVE A SISTER WHO HAS HAD MUCH SUCCESS WITH THE LAP BAND SURGERY.  SHE HAD SURGERY ALMOST 3 YEARS ASO AND HAS LOST ALMOST 150 LBS  SHE HAS NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BAND. I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN BUT I AM FOCUSED ON THE GREAT HEALTH RESULTS THIS WILL GIVE ME.  I DO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE BAND IT HAS BEEN AROUND AWHILE . GOOD LUCK AGAIN.  DIANE

going into surgery is scary but one has to have the mind focus on the goals and i think u have that. Every surgery has risks u should look at othe forum for complication to RNY and sleeve. I picked the band because it was the right tool for me and yes i read all thos stories about band erosion and slippage and still went for the band. how is has changed my life i will always be grateful to my surgeon and band for i been truly blessed... Now i know those are major concerns for everyone but why go into this with a negative mindset? Keep researching this and be sure of ur choice!!!

I actually did the six month doctor superivsed plan and at the very end.....quit going and sabbotaged it. It took me some time to rethink myself and try it again. It is scary. I tried to look at it like having a baby. There are women who will tell you all the horror stories about birthing a baby. But there are just as many who tell you the joy and rewards! Plus, it is true, once it is over, you forget any pain or aggravation (like pre-surgery diets) associated with it. Granted, there will always be fills and a life long journey! It's not a magic band.

I am not buring up the scales, but I am so much better than I would have been had I not had this surgery. Instead of being 20 something pounds less on my birthday this year, I may have been 20 pounds more without it. That's where I was heading.

Good Luck.

Hi Dizrick,

Have you read the Revisions forum? This clearly indicates that a LOT of people need to revise FROM the band to another weight loss surgery type.  In my opinion, the band is a very poor LONG TERM solution for obesity. The problem lies in the close proximity of the band to the diaphragm. In many people, the band causes the Vagus nerves that run through the diaphragm to get highly irritated, if not damaged.

The diaphragm controls breathing and separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. But they rely on one another. The diaphragm, when damaged, causes pain... from moderate to severe. And with every breath, there is pain. It can cause lightheadedness, chronic hiccups and sneezing (to the point of being debilitating) and fainting.

I realize that most people will say that they won't experience such life altering issues with lapbanding. However, if you look at the high incidence of referred left shoulder pain with the band, it shows that the Vagus nerves are much more affected than is divulged. It's a horrible thing to experience... and having had it myself... and having watched dozens of my friends "in real life" experience similar complications, I can safely say that the band does damage the diaphragm and/or the Vagus nerve system. It's not a matter of "if." It's a matter of "when." 

I would keep researching. Google, "Vagus nerves and lapband" as well as "referred left shoulder pain with lapband." Check lapbandtalk in the failed or complications forums. You'll find a common thread... left shoulder pain, inability to eat solid foods, esophageal problems and erosion and slippage.

I wish you the best. And please take my posting as an attempt to help you. I just hate to see anyone else go through what I did.

~Nicci

Thank you Nicci for your input. I don't mind a post such as yours, it was an informative post, no ranting. I am looking at all the aspects and I did go to lapbandtalk and checked things out. From what I can see all the forms of WLS have their advantages and disadvantages, I am compiling a list of specific questions to ask my doctor. The questions you raised will be among them. I don't want to substitute one problem with another. I know people that have had all the types of WLS and I do not want a gastric Bypass at all. I am a little worried that the VSG has not been around long enough to get the full picture. I am going to keep studying the procedeures, talk to my doctor and try to decide what is best for me. Thanks again for your concern.


Rick

Hi again Rick!

I just wanted to point out that gastrectomies have been done since 1881. The VSG has been around longer than gastric banding. It's just that the lapband manufacturers are much better at selling their product. 

But, you're right to discuss it with your doctor. Hopefully he or she will be able to give you all the information on the procedures.

I wish you the best with whichever procedure you choose. There's a men's forum here on Obesity Help, too, if you haven't been there already. There are a lot of guys who could be helpful with your research.

~Nicci

Hi Rick--

Nikki brings up lots of good points, and unfortunately, she has first hand experience--I feel so much for what she has gone through.

Having said that, I realize i was only banded in october...but  I do think one can "stack the cards in your favor" by doing homework.  Investigate all avenues, and pick your surgeon wisely!  I believe the surgeon can really help head off some, not all, but SOME of the potential problems.  I could care less about the surgeon's bedside manner, what i cared about were:

how long, and how many surgeries has the dr performed
who did he train with,and for how long?
does he/she advertise on a billboard (RUN FOREST

Thank you, Betsey. I appreciate the kindness.

You are absolutely wise to focus on having a competent and experienced surgeon. But be warned that won't stop complications from having. My surgeon is one of the best and pioneered the band back in 00, he doesn't place them anymore. That should be a clue. Just be careful, no one wants to see you a year or so down the road on the revisions board.