Seven year band check.

Thanks, Cheyenne.  I am like you. I do not for one second deny the problems people post on here. But it is not my personal experience. I have actually met, as opposed to online, over 40 bandsters and although a few have not lost the weight they hoped to lose,  only two have had complications. One had her band removed because of gastric problems which were not connected to the band, the other used it (as she freely admitted) as a tool for bulimia! Ate, regurgitated, ate again. 

And many of those I have met are well over five years post-op.. One is nine years out. 

So I truly sympathise with those with problems, things may well go wrong for me. But I am less pessimistic than many on OH.

Kate

I agree Kate,  people may have complications there is no way to tell if they will or will not but not all complications require band removal. I have had some of my own, but they were resolved by my surgeon listening to what I was telling him I was feeling. My  band tightened up on many  times( can not count how many un fills I had to have)  My surgeon ran test and determined it was not my band. He had me see see a ENT doc who determined it was allergies(I never had them before) went on meds daily for allergies left my band un filled for a few months and have since had it refilled with no problems. The two I know that had major complications was one her body rejected it with in days of it being placed and the other had it way to tight for a few years and had an erosion(not sure if the band being tight caused it or not). I do know any one can have problems at any time just like all other surgeries. I had no other option at the time of surgery but to have the band or do nothing and stay fat and un healthy.  So the band was my choice. I went in to the surgery well informed of all possible complications. I would do it again. Just to be as healthy as I am and having the quality of life I have had over the last 4 years has made it worth it for me Congrats again Kate wishing you all the best

Good going Kate, I'm truly happy for your continued success!

Congratulations!   

Good News Kate!  Congratulations!

Wonderful news ! :) My Dr. told me the band was meant to last for life now whether this still holds true I don't know but you obviously are doing everything right and hopefully shouldn't have to worry about it not lasting ;) .

That is what my Dr. said too.  But, now even the manufacturer says it isn't

Kate

Great news from my friendo n the other side of the pond. I have a friend here in Az that's from England and that's what he says.

Karen

I zm the first to sdmit I simply don't understand the difference BUT the sleeve is gaining  very rapidly in popularity over here and may well overtake the band, even though banded people over here do seem to get better outcomes than in the US.