This is what ****** me off...

Just want to make sure to reiterate important statements:

Adverse Events: Placement of the LAP-BAND^® System is major surgery and, AS WITH ANY SURGERY, death can occur. Possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedure, and the patient’s ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body.

Band slippage, erosion and deflation, reflux, obstruction of the stomach, dilation of the esophagus, infection, or nausea and vomiting MAY OCCUR. Reoperation may be required.

Rapid weight loss MAY RESULT in complications that MAY REQUIRE additional surgery. Deflation of the band may alleviate excessively rapid weight loss or esophageal dilation."

Notice is does states, AS WITH ANY SURGERY .. I don’t anyone here will/can argue that any of these operations are failsafe. ANY of these operations can result in failures, and/or death.

MAY RESULT – I think the company is being honest in saying MAY. Again, no one here can say any of these operations will DEFINITELY fail, or be successful.

I’ve read many accounts on how the band failed them, due to no fault of their own. BAND FAILURE IS A REALITY WITHOUT any blame on the patient. Any Doctor, who knows their stuff, will agree with this.

With that said, FAILURE WITH THE BAND is possible, not because of the BAND itself, but because someone did not follow the rules. But this is also true with any of these operations.

UNNECESSARY (BAND) COMPLICATIONS MAY BE AVOIDED if one would follow up with their Doctors. Again, the same can be said about any of these operations. If an issue occurs, and/or something doesn’t seem right, folks need to contact their Doctor to find out what the issue is. Not a board; not a friend; not sticking your head in the sand. Again this needs to be said about any operation, or sickness. Very quick side story: My Mom didn’t feel right in her mid 30’s but refused to see a Doctor. 15 years later she was forced to see him, and the eventual outcome was death. At 51 she was gone. The Doctor said, had she gone to see SOMEONE when it first occurred, more than likely she would have survived. So while I say this about an operation, I mean this about LIFE itself. If you don’t feel right, GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR.

Folks, I implore you to see your Doctor(s) at least once a year to be healthy.