Five years Post Surgery Looking for Answers
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
Pre-band surgery weight: 233
Lowest: 199 ( for, like, a day)
CW: 260 (yes, with the band!)
Current Fill: 5cc in 10cc band
BMI: 49
I've had 2 bariatric surgeons myself and have talked to many more, and none of them were surprised to hear about the kind of experience you've described. So either your doctor is not well-informed, or the rest of his patients aren't telling him when they have that kind of problem...possibly because they sense that they won't get any support from him and may be sharing their struggle with a GYN who at least can understand the hormone factor.
Just my opinion, of course.
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
on 10/17/12 10:40 pm - Califreakinfornia , CA
Lap Band Side Effects Led To Additional Surgery in 60% of Patients: Study
Add Comments 38 11 2 3By: Staff Writers | Published: April 1st, 2011
About six out of every 10 people who undergo gastric Lap-Band surgery may experience complications that require additional surgery and nearly half may have to have the banding removed, according to a recent study by Belgian researchers.
The researchers looked at patients who had received the Allergan Inc. Lap-Band over a period of 12 years and reported their findings last week in the Archives of Surgery. They found that nearly a third of patients who undergo the procedure, known as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), discovered that their bands had eroded the wall of their stomach over time.
The study used data from 82 patients who underwent LAGB surgery between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1997. Researchers found that 61% suffered some kind of complications, usually major. Overall, 28% were found to have suffered Lap-Band erosion, and just under 50% had the band removed within 12 years. Overall, the Lap-Band recipients lost about 43% of the excess weight they carried before undergoing to procedure.
The researchers said that the lap band erosion, complications, and an overall lukewarm satisfaction rating by the patients in the study led them to determine that Lap-Band side effects lead to relatively poor long-term outcomes for LAGB.
Allergan has criticized the findings, saying that a 2010 Lap-Band study in Surgical Endoscopy found only a 12% complication rate among nearly 3,000 patients who had the bands implanted in 2001, which was the year the FDA approved the Lap-Band for use in the U.S. The company said that the study focused on the beginning of LAGB surgery, before doctors became experienced with the procedure.
According to Allergan, more than 500,000 people worldwide have received the Lap-Band and said both the band itself and LAGB surgery have changed since the subjects of the Belgian study received their bands.
The new study comes less than a week after the FDA announced that it was expanding the approved use of the Lap-Band to include people who were less obese.
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There Are 38 Comments So Far • (Add Your Comments)
on 10/18/12 7:53 am
Over the years 2.3ccs was perfect. It's best to never have to get saline removed from the band if you can help it, unless you have to travel overseas for a long time. Who knows over time the band slowly starts to slip, once you get to where you can't tolerate any fill, there will be no where else to go.
Words of advice, don't over eat, chew your food well and avoid any vomiting if you can, and try your best to stay in the green zone.
Original Lap Band * 9/30/2005 * 4cc 10cm band*, lost 130 pounds. 7 Great years!
Revision surgery to AP small lap band *11/13/2012*, due to large hiatal hernia. I am hopeful about continuing my band journey uneventful and successful. I loved what my old band did for me and I am looking forward for my new band to Keep my weight down