Just curious...

Is the band advertised as a permanent tool for weightloss?  Or do patients go in knowing that their is a __% of chance (I don't know the number), that they will need their band replaced or removed all together? 

Baiscally, what I am asking is, are lapbanders going into surgery thinking they will be keeping the same band for their rest of their life? 

IMO anybody would be a fool going into this surgery that they will have their band the rest of their lives.  That is not promised by any surgeon or if they are good they shouldn't be making them promises to their patients and vice versa the patient should never think that way also.

It dont matter what WLS surgery you have done there is complications on all them , there is regain on all of them, there is risk of dying on all of them to be blunt.

I know people from every surgery expect for the DS which is not done in my area.  I know lapbanders that have had their bands for 6 yrs with no problems, then again I know people that has had problems with their band within the first two yrs.  I know people that has lost all their weight with the band then I know people that has not lost any of their weight or regained all their weight.

The Sleeve and Gastric is the same way. I know people that has gained all their weight back from those surgeries, and I know people that has had minor to major complications on both of them surgeries.

Like I said no WLS is 100% sure bet. , complication and risk free. Anybody thinking that way is in alot of trouble and shouldn't be getting the surgery done .

 

Ok...so, complications aside, lapbanders go into surgery knowing that sometime in the furture, they will likely have to replace their band or permantly remove it?

I didn't know that an expectation existed that you would have to replace the band band or take it out at some point in the future.  I came very close to being banded, and my suregon never mentioned the fact that it was very likely that I would be facing another surgery to either remove of replace the band in the future. 

I was told the band would last a lifetime. That it was not meant to be removed. I was told this by both the "Lap-Band advocate" and by Allergan directly when I called them prior to getting my band.

On the Allergan website it now says something to the effect of "it may have to be replaced at some point" which is at least a little more honest, however I feel they should specifically state what % have to be removed in the first 5 years. I honestly don't think anyone with any sense would get the band if they knew it was a possibility that they would have to have it replaced (or at the very least have another band repair operation) every 5 years! There are many of us that have been not just "mislead", but down right LIED to about the band! :-(

I'm like Maria, I was told by my surgeon, the support group and most folks here that it was a life long tool. I think it has been in the last few years that it has been deemed temporary by the manufacturers, most likely to cover their legal rear ends. I believe there is a big difference in the info now and what we were told 4 years ago.

I went into this KNOWING that the lap band is a LONG TERM implant, it IS MEANT to last forever, however, things can happen, there are precautions and RULES TO FOLLOW, such as allowing it to heal properly BEFORE starting to get fills, MANY MANY PEOPLE DO NOT FOLLOW THIS, I've seen people getting fills as early as 2-4 weeks post op. Some of this is just common sense. MANY people KEEP their bands dangerously too tight FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, MANY PEOPLE HAVE SEVERE EATING DISORDERS of Bulimia, and that is NO NO with the lap band.

Europeans don't have as nearly as many "issues" with their band as do Americans, could this be that Americans don't follow rules?... could this be a Lifestyle issue? We don't know, but for ME, I still have my original lap band with no issues and so far so good going on 7 years. Am I lucky? Absolutely NOT, I've had run ins with my band also, the ONLY problems I've had is when I was filled too tight and my band almost slipped and my surgeon immediately unfilled me to allow it to heal and I was able to move forward with no issues.

Some people NEVER follow up with their surgeons like they should, some people say they don't have "money" for the upkeep of the band, but they end up in bigger debt if they suffer complications and have to PAY for a revision or the removal of their band.

As with ANY TYPE of weight loss surgery patients CAN suffer complications from the band and from the "high pressure" of it being very tight for long periods of time, some people esophagus are weaker than others, it's hard to predict who will have complications, but again, as the FIRST DEFENSE......RULE NUMBER ONE.... NEVER KEEP IT TOO TIGHT for long periods of time and most people will escape most issues.

I DO NOT KEEP MY BAND too tight too cause damage to my esophagus or cause band slippage and SO FAR going on 7 years so good (knock on wood). Some of the band bashers say that the band can Just "slip" or can automatically cause issues ...but for ME that has not happened --yet...again, I do not keep my band too tight and so far so good.


Below are risks that comes along with the lap band from Allergan the lap band manufacturer, Did you read RISKS that comes along with the gastric bypass as well? There is a quite a LONG list of Risks associated with the bypass, Sleeve and DS. All weight loss surgeries COMES WITH RISKS.

Is there a chance the device will need to be removed?
The LAP-BAND ® System is a long-term implant, but it may have to be removed or replaced at any time. For instance, the device may need to be removed to manage any adverse reactions you might have. The device may also need to be removed, repositioned or replaced if you aren't losing as much weight as you and your doctor feel you should be losing.

What are the specific risks and possible complications?
Talk to your doctor about all of the following risks and complications:

• Ulceration
• Gastritis (irritated stomach tissue)
• Gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation)
• Heartburn
• Gas bloat
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Dehydration
• Constipation
• Weight regain
• Death

Laparoscopic surgery has its own set of possible problems. They include:

• Spleen or liver damage (sometimes requiring spleen removal)
• Damage to major blood vessels
• Lung problems
• Thrombosis (blood clots)
• Rupture of the wound
• Perforation of the stomach or esophagus during surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is not always possible. The surgeon may need to switch to an "open" method due to some of the reasons mentioned here. This happened in about 5% of the cases in the U.S. Clinical Study. There are also problems that can occur that are directly related to the LAP-BAND ® System:

• The band can spontaneously deflate because of leakage. That leakage can come from the band, the reservoir, or the tubing that connects them.
• The band can slip.
• There can be stomach slippage.
• The stomach pouch can enlarge.
• The stoma (stomach outlet) can be blocked.
• The band can erode into the stomach.

Obstruction of the stomach can be caused by:

• Food
• Swelling
• Improper placement of the band
• The band being over-inflated
• Band or stomach slippage
• Stomach pouch twisting
• Stomach pouch enlargement

There have been some reports that the esophagus has stretched or dilated in some patients. This could be caused by:

• Improper placement of the band
• The band being tightened too much
• Stoma obstruction
• Binge eating
• Excessive vomiting

Patients with a weaker esophagus may be more likely to have this problem. A weaker esophagus is one that is not good at pushing food through to your stomach. Tell your surgeon if you have difficulty swallowing. Then your surgeon can evaluate this.

In 2007 I was told it could and would be expected to be in there forever just like any other medical implant or, at worst that it may need to be replaced in 20-30 years. Now, way more info out and I'm not sure what lies are still being told in the marketing.

I was told 1% of bands erode, and have to be removed and not replaced. The only option is a different wls. I was told 3% of bands slip, and that can be fixed with surgery. I have had my band for a little over 2 years with no complications except being too tight after some of my fills.