anyone happy with LapBand?

I am 4 years post op. I have had a few issues but never once did I second guess my choice. I was so large they wanted to do RNY but I knew the band was what I wanted. I had a total knee replacement 1 year ago, things went well, great actually for 7 months then started having issues. I have to have a revision to fix it, the inner plate is too small. So, does that make all knee replacements a bad thing? should I tell people to never get their knees fixed?There will be possible issues with each and EVERY wls or surgery in general. I have worked hard to lose with my band, and I knew it would not be a miracle fix, but I am a healthier, happier and much smaller version of the old me. I wore a size 32 the day of surgery. Today I wear a 12. My BMI went from a 71 to a 31. I was watching my life pass me by. You will have to work to lose with the band for sure but the things you work hardest for are the ones you will appreciate the most. WLS is a personal choice and all the responses in the world will not help you. You be sure to have done your research and still the decision will be a hard one but.be sure to be aware of all of your options available. I wish you the best of luck in the wls journey.

Color me happy!

I am happy, I am 6+ years out and still down 130 lbs. from where I started. Do I love the band, NO but I don't think I would love any type of WLS really. With the RNY & DS you have to take so many pills and I am not a good pill taker so I know I could not be compliant with that. I probably would have went with the sleeve if it had been available when I had the band but I am happy.

Please do lots of research because as you can see the band is NOT for everyone.

Good luck with your decision.

I wasn't happy with my band, but continue to be thrilled with my sleeve. I lost about 65 lbs with my band prior to the onset of complications. Then I spent a couple of years gaining almost all of that back.

I've lost about 135 lbs with my sleeve and am maintaining easily at this point.

Make the best choice for you and really give yourself the chance to reach a healthy weight...you deserve it.

Lindsey

 I am happy with my band.  I chose it over the other options for several reasons. I was size 22-24 and now I am wearing size 16s, and even some 14s.  It feels so weird to be able to shop in regular stores and buy clothes without X or XX anywhere on them.   All my comorbidities are gone and my marriage is rocking (especially since we have an empty nest now).

The weight loss has been maddeningly slow at times and it's not pleasant to feel that almost-stuck-better-slow-down feeling but it keeps me focused.  I'm eating healthier than I have ever eaten but still able to enjoy almost any type food (except reheated chicken) because I keep my band on the looser side.   I got my first fill in 10 months last week because I was starting to wake up hungry and hungry every 2-3 hrs instead of 4-6hrs it was all year long.   I'm back to staying satisfied longer now and the noisy tummy has shut up finally.

If something happens to my band...or issues start to occur, I would probably revise to the sleeve, considering the statistics now. I am thankful for the new life it has given me for how ever long it works for me though.

I guess I really a newbe...I did my lap-band on 12/1/11...I was 300 pounds, arthritis taking it toll on my knees and especially my hip.  I would have gone in sooner had I not had emergency hernia repair surgery in July. (that's another story!)...but this was my choice.  I did it for me with my main goal to loose enough weight to get my right hip replaced!  Yes, at 50 I need a hip replacement...not an easy thing for a woman who weighs over 300 pounds...no orthopedic surgeon wants to even look at you as your weight will have a big factor on the long term success of the replacement.

Well...I can say I've done what I needed to do...for now.  On Monday I will have my right hip replaced after loosing over 50 pounds.  My regular doctor and my lap-band surgeon agree that I still have a way to go in this weight loss sega, but I'm doing the right things right now and will have a successful surgery that will allow me to move.  Right now, I can't exercise, I can't walk that far without major pain...I can't enjoy anything, but I know I'm doing the right thing for ME...ME...I picked this, I'm doing this, I'm working the plan and right now it's working for me.  I get my hip replaced on Monday and I'll continue to move forward with my weight loss, my health...my life.
Now, in the future, if my band fails, if I have problems, if it must be replaced, then it needs to be replaced...and I can live with that.  I knew this going in...I know it now.  I'll always know that failure is a possibility.  It can be with any surgery.  Do I expect not to have problems...no.  Just like my craving and temptations...I can't say I'm not going to cheat...to put that piece of chocolate in my mouth...but...once again, it's my choice and I'll roll with the fall out.  Right now...I'm thrilled!  I'm looking forward to working through my hip replacement, getting my life back, getting busy...moving my body once again!

Lisa Powers
down 54 pounds since 12/1/11

Wow Lisa. You are an inspiration. Thank you. I need knee replacements and am only 54, I know I did this to myself and I am getting a chance to fix this before its too late. THis is for me and no one else.

~Now, in the future, if my band fails, if I have problems, if it must be replaced, then it needs to be replaced...and I can live with that.  I knew this going in...I know it now.  I'll always know that failure is a possibility.  It can be with any surgery.~

You act like it's no big deal. It can very much be a big deal! It's not always as simple as "yank one out and throw annother one in". You don't take into account all the damage that the band can cause. Failure is one thing..........but massive internal damage can be quite another, and that is a very real possibility.

Now as far as failure being a possibility with any surgery. Of course. That's just common sense! But why have a surgery that is almost guaranteed to fail?! Affter all.............just how many do you know that have even made it 5 yrs. with their band??? And of the few out there............how many have had a 2nd and 3rd surgery to correct it?!

Now I will admit........50 pounds in 4 months it awesome! However are you reallly gaining anything if it's just temporary and you don't keep it off b/c the band fails?!

I'm almost 4 1/2 YEARS out from my Sleeve but I came to OH researching the Band and well 5 years ago I saw a SMALL percentage of unhappy Bandsters and POSSIBLE complications.  Well NOW you can't come on here without seeing it.  To ME that speaks volumes.  

While NO surgery is without it's possible complications comparing the band to Sleeve...the Sleeve does what the band is ADVERTISED to do.

If you are SEEING all this now.  Look at WHAT the complications are and are they "preventable" etc etc.

Ms Shell

~the Sleeve does what the band is ADVERTISED to do.~

Shell I hear that ALL the time from the bandsters I know that revised to VSG! Glad you bypassed the band! ;-)