Now I'm Scared!!

Do you have confidence in your surgeon skills? I checked out his stats and it seems like he has only done about 75 lap bands. Your banded life will greatly depend on how well the surgeon installs it.

Your first defense is having your band installed right. Did you ask how many of his patients has required revision surgeries? Your second defense is YOUR commitment to follow the lap band rules following the post op diet plan, exercising, drinking water and frequently following up with your surgery every 4-6 weeks for at least 1 year post op.

Regarding side effects, lap banders don't typically have any side effects, you may experience vomiting (PBing), slimming if you eat too quickly and don't chew your food thoroughly before swallowing. Sometimes getting to the green zone of ideal restriction can be tricky, you will have to work with your surgeon on finding the sweet spot, (not too tight, but enough where it dims your appetite and not cause frequent vomiting, heartburn or reflux) .

Lap banders don't really experience any bad side effects like other wls UNLESS the band is installed wrong or if you keep it too tight. The ideal restriction for the lap band is about 1 cup of solid food per meal, NOT too tight to limit you to liquids and soft foods, although most people are satisfied with about 1 cup of food, you will STILL HAVE TO STOP EATING ON YOUR OWN, again the band IS A DIET TOOL to help you stop eating, NOT STOP YOU FROM EATING.

There are learning curves with living with the band, this is where you should ideally work with your surgeons dietitian on what foods you should be eating, vitamins, exercise, etc.

The lap band is ONLY a TOOL, if you expect it to do do all the work, YOU SHOULD BE SCARED and you are NOT ready for ANY weight loss surgery, the lap band WILL not make you exercise, make good food decisions, drink water, etc, those are the things you should do to make your journey successful.

Good luck

Try not to freak out about the "horrible" experiences reported by others. People tend to post more often when they're struggling, disappointed, having side effects and/or complications.

The best place to get information about possible side effects and complications is your bariatric surgeon. Everything you read here on OH is anecdotal and highly subjective. Your surgeon should be able to give you a more objective view.

Jean

I'm a newly banded person...was done 12/1/11.  I was/am just like you...still am questioning things, learning things, tips, tricks, what works, what doesn't.  The Lap Band is just another tool to seriously help you get where you need to be.  I've learned that it's not the only thing. 
I have to have a hip replacement and being overweight is not the ideal cir****tance to be in.  I felt doing the Lap-Band could get me where I need to be, feeling better, less weight and in control while getting this hip replacement.  So far it's been good.  It hasn't been without it's moments.  I've learned about the food I put in my mouth, the amount, the calories, the good, the bad and the ugly of some of the things I ate.I have a journal to help me see exactly what and when I'm eating.  I can't say I'm perfect...I'm far from it, but I've learned what I should be doing and that in the end, I'm responsible for what I eat, how I feel and my own life.  I needed to make some big changes and this is one of the big tools in my life.
I've already had a few fills.  I haven't found what everyone seems to call the "sweet spot" where being full is really noticable.  I can't say it hasn't been without its discomfort!  Drink lots of WATER!!  It's good for you not to get constipated...that's one of my issues that creeps up at least once or twice a week.  If you consider this Lap-Band a major tool to help you get you healthy...you'll be fine.

Lisa Powers
40 pounds down
Banded 12/1/11

It sounds like there's lots of advice here, so I'm just going to say, "good luck and I hope the band is the answer for you." 

If you'd like to read about the problems a lot of people end up having with lapbands, feel free to join the group in my signature line.

I felt the same way you did. I started reading a lot two months out. I quickly learned that you have to take it all in and realize the benefits if you follow the process as a tool. It made me very nervous as I got closer to my surgery date, but once I was in the preop area and spoke with my doctor again, the staff there really made me feel comfortable and I am really glad that I did it.

I am only three weeks out, but can tell a lot of differences in my body already. I am now more nervous about my first fill!

Best wishes to you!

 Some people have great success with the band and others don't. Some never have any problems and others do. Its hard to say what will happen. I've had my band for almost 5 years and had good success at first now I just want it out due to some issues I'm having. Ultimately it is up to you and what you are comfortable with, good luck on your decision.

I was much like you and started to get "cold feet" I had them righ up until I was wheeled into the operating room.  I was really just scared about the unknown, not the Dr or his statistics.  Flash forward about 2 months and I absolutely love the band!  I know that I am new to this, but I have lost a ton of weight and am getting my life back before it was too late!  I have not had any fills and I kind of plan on not getting any (with the Dr's concurrance of course) as long as I am able to maintain control of my eating and I continue to lose weight.  The main thing that the band has given me is reason to stop eating.  I have had absolutely no pain at all, if you ignore the bloated feeling the day after surgery (not painful just uncomfortable).  The main thing to understand is that the band is just a tool to help you make the weight loss "job" easier.  Like any tool it will not help at all if you don't use it!  I wish you the best in whatever decision you make.  

Tyler