Lap-Band...Is this the way to go?

I am trying to decide which surgery would be right for me.  After going to classes, I had decided that Lap-Band was the way to go.  After reading many of the stories on here, I just don't know.  If seems to me that there is more failures & problems with the Lap-Band.  How do you feel about this & do you wish you had went another way?

Please read the Revisions forum:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/a,messageboard/bo ard_id,5360/


And the Failed forum:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/failed_wls_second_time_aro und/


A lot of band problems tend to start at 2-3 years post op. Some people make it longer, others less... a lot of people have to have the band removed or revise to another surgery. The other forms of weight loss surgery might seem more daunting initially, but it's better to choose one that works without damaging your stomach and surrounding organs than to have multiple surgeries and develop adhesions. The more adhesions that are formed, the less likely it is that you'll be able to revise to another WLS in the future, should you require that.

I did have the lapband and certainly do wish I had gone a different way. No doubt about that. The lapband was so damaging and painful, it's impossible to describe.

Good luck to you, whatever you choose. I hope you'll take what I've written to you as trying to help. I don't like to see anyone end up permanently damaged.

The band was my choice and has worked well for me.  I'm at almost 3 years out and no significant problems so far.

There are various factors that go into why some have band issues.  A few of them (and this is not a list of ALL the reasons things go wrong.. just a few off the top of my head):

 Some people have problems because they keep the band too tight or they don't keep up with appointments.  And some are just plain unlucky and they can't tolerate the band.  And yet another group happen to chose surgeons who aren't very good at placing the band correctly.

Keep researching and find which one fits in best with your lifestyle and the reason you became obese.

There is no one perfect WLS, they all have their pros and cons.  

Congratulations on making steps towards improving your health.

First of all, when you read forum posts, keep in mind that members post more often when they're struggling, full of questions, or discouraged than they do when they're happy and out living a full life.

I don't regret getting the Lap-Band. It has worked very well for me, but it doesn't work for everyone. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a perfect weight loss surgery, and NO bariatric surgery procedure can cure obesity. It's a treatment, not a cure. That means that EVERY bariatric patient has the potential for disappointing weight loss or weight regain. NO bariatric surgeon worth a U.S. medical license guarantees the success of the procedure he/she performs. ALL bariatric procedures have potential side effects or complications.

So all that means that you have to make your choice based on what procedure you think will suit your lifestyle and that you can afford or your insurance will cover. The band requires a lot of aftercare, including fills and unfills, that can get to be expensive in terms of time and money. I think it tends to work well for volume overeaters like me and less for all-day snackers or grazers.

Good luck!
Jean

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/lap-band-surgery-half- patients-complications/story?id=13187452

Here's something to read carefully before making a life altering decision.

I'm still very happy with my lap-band. Coming up on my 5 years WLS anniversary on 3/6. I'd do it all over again, just sooner if I could have!

Diana

I've had the band and the sleeve. For me, the sleeve has been a far greater, more normal, and more successful experience. I am so thankful to be free of my band.

The band does work for some, but it offers the poorest stats on excess weight loss and a high rate of post-op complications. It's true that every surgery has possible complications, but some are higher than others. Make sure you do your research.

I believe Jean stated in her response for you to remember that people post more when they have problems. That's true, but people also like to post progress pictures as they lose weight and clothing sizes or NSVs as they decrease medications or hit other various milestones. See which forums have a lot of those posts.

Best,
Lindsey

Don't believe the B.S, one of the bandsters just posted about how ppl just post when they are struggling and disapointed. Most do NOT post then b/c they have either just given up, or they have seen other bandsters post on here about that and get blamed for their band issues so they are afraid to post on the Lap-Band "support" forum!

Also one of the other posters has in her sig tag that she has lost over 200 pounds. But she said previously that she didn't lose much at all with the band until she started exercising like 10  hrs. a wk. Anyone that exercises that much will lose........with or without a band.

As far as me........had I known then what I know now..........I NEVER would have gotten a band! You will notice you very seldom see a bandsters on here (OR IN REAL LIFE) that has had a band 5 years. If you do............hardly any of them have not had a 2nd band operation!

CHOOSE YOUR WLS WISELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Maria, are you speaking about me in the part where you say " one of the other posters has in her sig tag that she has lost over 200 pounds. But she said previously that she didn't lose much at all with the band until she started exercising like 10  hrs. a wk."

I'm thinking you are referring to me, because I'm the only one who has anything about 200lbs in their signature line.

And if you are referring to me, that is incorrect information about the weight loss rate and exercise.  I'll be happy to give you the correct info.   If you're speaking about someone else posting in the general Lapband forum.. my mistake.

I was refering to you. Perhaps I just remembered your previous post wrong. There was one several months ago and I thought you posted that you only lost a minimal amount the first year. Then after you started exercising about 10? hours a wk. you lost a lot? Please correct me if I misunderstood.