Is band complications same as having band failure?

I missed the last part of your post.

I can't say whether it is false advertising since I haven't read the book. but if she presents fact-based information that is helpful, then I don't see why she should have to retract everything she wrote in light of experiencing complications. I doubt she advises people to do things like maintain a really tight band and vomit often.

~ I doubt she advises people to do things like maintain a really tight band and vomit often.~

I doubt she say that also. However her own advise did NOT work for her, so I really don't understand why anyone would buy a "how to" book when it didn't work for the author. Kind of like going to a marriage councelor that's been divorced 4 times. Lol. That's just my opinion though.

 

 Clearly, it depends on who you talk to.

IMHO, they are two different animals. I have had some complications - most caused my own actions and inactions - but I've still lot a helluva lot of weight, so my band has not failed.

Two different, yet similar, things.

You can have complications and still be successful with the band.  However, complications can lead to band failure.

Then again, you could progress directly to band failure after having been successful without a clue of complications first.

Complications can be varied and some are due to overfills, some not.

I had GERD issues and my fill gradually went down.  At this point, I don't have GERD but I also have an empty band.  I haz scar tissue and need to have the band removed, along with the scar tissue.  My revision will likely be to RnY, although I would prefer the sleeve.  Given the GERD issues, though, RnY is is a better choice.

My band has not failed.  It simply has complications.  I was quite successful with the weight loss and maintenance until my body developed an intolerance for it.

I've never had port issues such as flipped port or leaking tube.

My current surgeon quotes a 30% rate for bandsters needing a second surgery, whether it is to fix the band, have it removed or revise to a different surgery.  It is substantially higher than the other surgeries.  That being said, that's 70% who don't need a second surgery.  I don't have a clue as to how many reach there goal, however.

I'd be very surprised to hear of  ANY bandster that doesn't hit a bump in the road of some sort during their journey.

I sincerely hope this thread doesn't turn into a Jean M. bash or otherwise get migrated because it growns contentious.

 
~~I had GERD issues and my fill gradually went down.  At this point, I don't have GERD but I also have an empty band.  I haz scar tissue and need to have the band removed, along with the scar tissue.  My revision will likely be to RnY, although I would prefer the sleeve.  Given the GERD issues, though, RnY is is a better choice.~~

But but but.... what if your GERD is related to a hiatal hernia, the change in anatomy that the band causes, or... not trying to be insulting I have NO idea your weight but obesity?

I have horrific reflux due to esophageal damage from the band.  There is no fix for my esophagus but my surgeon wanted to revise me to bypass due to reflux.  He wouldn't bypass much intestine since I am at goal, just change the anatomy of my stomach.  Quite frankly, the idea of another pouch and stoma scare the bejeezers out of me.  But I agreed to consider it.  I asked every bypass person I could find if they had reflux.  Quite a few did.  So I would be revising to a surgery type that I don't care for on the chance it might fix reflux?  Nawwwwww.....  Not me.

Have you at least been evaluated for a hiatal hernia?

My band was successful in the sense that I got to goal but it about killed me and I HAD to have it removed.  Call me silly but I don't consider that a success and especially a long term success which I think the OP was referring to.  Overall success, not short term.  Take the band out without a revision and the greater majority of people will regain every single pound.  How is that a success long term?  Isn't that what WLS is supposed to be?  Long term?

Actually, I DO have a hiatal hernia.  Not sure if it caused the GERD or developed because of the GERD.  But it is one of the reasons that band has to go. 

I had GERD before I had the band (although I didn't realize what it was then).  The band made it unbearable when I had fill.  I haven't had GERD since the band was emptied.  I don't pretend to understand why.

I was down to a size 2 when I started having horrific band issues.  With the band emptied, I have gained weight.  Not happy with the weight gain which is the reason I want to revise. 

 
Obesity is a huge cause of hiatal hernias.  There is a very good chance you could have had it before you were ever banded.  I'm going to take a shot in the dark here and suggest that 50% of surgeons will fix the hernia at the time of WLS surgery and 50% do not.  It would pay you to look at your OR report and see if your surgeon mentioned it one way or another.

I'd just hate to see you go through the risk of bypass if your GERD is fixable without bypass.  I mean, clearly you do well with restriction alone.  I'm not trying to talk you into or out of any surgery type, just know what is causing your GERD before jumping into such an invasive surgery.

Frankly in my personal opinion it doesn't matter what you call it, you are still screwed. You are devastated either way!

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