Any Regrets ?

I regret it every single day of my life! For starters it never worked, I only lost 20ish lbs. I never got good restriction so was always either too loose or too tight. Then after a few years it started tightening all by itself with no fills. Last fall I had it completely emptied and life is finally better, I can eat healthy food again even tho meats are still difficult. I'm concerned how much additional damage is being done every day that it stays in me. If I ever get the opportunity I want to revise to a sleeve but who knows when that might be. We are constantly finding out new problems with the band that the manufacturer didn't list or minimized. I wouldn't suggest the band to my worst enemy.

I have nothing but regrets when it comes to the lapband. It was, by far, the worst decision I ever made in my entire life.  If someone had told me just how damaged I would be from the lapband, I probably wouldn't have believed them. But hindsight is 20/20, I guess. 

Just when I think I'm finally healed up from all the damage the band caused, I get a rude reminder that once your digestive system has been through the wringer, it doesn't bounce back.
 

Google: lapband + referred left shoulder pain and see what information comes up. It's a lesser revealed side effect of lapbanding... and it's VERY common. I can't tell you how many "treatments" I went through to try to alleviate the chronic and severe referred left shoulder pain and how many "specialists" had NO idea what the matter could be. It turned out to be the lapband damaging the Vagus nerves and it happens with amazing frequency. And a lot of doctors still don't seem to realize it's the band causing it. They'll send  you in for CT scans and orthopedic treatments... and those things do absolutely nothing to help.  And it's really hard to describe just how bad this pain can get for some of us. It feels a lot like what I imagine a very sharp, hot knife being rammed through the soft area of your left shoulder would. Repeatedly. That's what my life was like when I had the band. I wish I could say it was just my own experience, but I've "coached" about two dozen friends through the same thing. Nobody thinks it will happen to them. But it does.

PLEASE read the Revisions forum here and save yourself a lot of pain and undue misery.

Hi Nichole,
I have asked similiar question few weeks ago, it is helpful. here is the link. update me on your decision. I am in the same boat here and can't make up my mind yet.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4483530/self-payer -and-have-the-money-for-sleeve-would-you-still/

Hi tamou!

I have done quite a bit of research over the last week and I have decided without a doubt to get the sleeve. For me it's the best choice. With my life I just would not be able to go back and forth to a dr for fills and such. Also if something where to go wrong what jf I wasn't close to a hospital ( something that can be a serious concern living in rural Alberta) the one thing that made my mind up though was my moms friend is a surgeon. After she talked with him for me he said there are a lot of pros and cons but one thing we need to know is that because the lap band is plastic and is a foreign body ....even if you never have any complications, eventually down the road it will start breaking down and will have to be removed and or replaced. There is also the risk of erosion that can happen after time. ( thats where it can eventually erroide into your stomach and cause serious issues) I hate surgery and do not want to have to go through even more down the road. So for me my mind is made up...it's sleeve for me....eventually Btw it says you live in Dubai and Toronto. I don't know how often your in Canada but did you know some provinces cover the surgery?

Keep in touch and good luck with whatever you decision may be!

Hi Nichole,
I am Canadian married to a British now living in Dubai. My BMI is lower than 40 so OHIP will not cover the cost and Insurance in Dubai doesnt cover any wls surgeries. I have done all necessary medical tests for the sleeve and had a surgery date but moved it couple of times.... will keep you posted. I have added you to my friend's list. Wishing all the best and keep in touch.

I regret it every day. I would not recommend the band to my worst enemy.

There are some that do well with the band. Most do not long term. Hell even a lot of bandsters don't short term!

My suggestion to you would be to check the revision forum. See how many bandstes are revising FROM the band! You might also ask this same question on the VSG forum. You will find a lot of FORMER bandsters on there and they can give you an accurate account of how the 2 WLS's compare.