Lap-Band Problems - and solutions

Often times people find there are problems with the band- but they are related to how the band is used - or mis used.  We have a whole section for you to read about this in our site azlapband.com/blog  - feel free to go there. 

Learn: 

A slip can be managed often by removing fluid and going on a liquid diet for a bit

If a slip cannot be corrected after a couple of weeks on liquids you can get the band unbuckled and then it will resolve, it will require re buckling

The band IS NOT about RESTRICTION - it is about appetite control

Do not Eat until you are "full"

Learn how to make chicken so it won't get stuck

Let the flaming begin !!!

I will not flame but I do find it very interesting that this doctor 1) only performs lap-bands and 2) is offering the surgery at a "sale" price of $9995. Obviously, if people find out the truth about the band, his practice will suffer. It is just like getting honest information on a particular drug from the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Since I work in this field, I know all about the tricks that they play to make their numbers look better. Medical device manufacturers do the same thing. Today, patients have to be really educated about their health, their options and also have to be their own #1 advocates. 

Sounds like a flame. So lets go: " since I work in the field I know ..." Start with an appeal to authority after picking me apart- wrongly I might add. In over 20 years I have done all weight loss operations. The data is out there: BOLD database showing safer than others. obriens long term data. The question is this: when some dont get the same result as others you should ask "why?" My position is that how the band has been taught to many leads to failure. Because if you don't teach someone how to properly use a device - guess what happens? You want to blame the device?
So lets be clear:
I have done over 3000 bands with avg weight loss of 54% at one year
Removed 20 bands
My experience isn't unique - its how the patients are taught. Not the device.
I'm here to teach what we do. If you don't have a band- this post isn't for you.
If you had a band and it's no longer there then "why" when so many are.
But I won't debate anecdotes

gorditabonita...Copied...from the other post...it's QUITE SILLY to bash the band...

I've had band "issues too", but most of my "issues" where self inflicted, (I'm honest) OR caused by my previous surgeon (bad fills) I could easily be a "band basher" but I have no motives to bash the band, no weight loss surgery is perfect. If the band ONLY caused complications and no other weight loss surgeries had complications, THEN I MAY BASH the band. But it's quite silly to bash the band when the Bypass, Sleeve and DS has horrendous and more serious life threatening complications than the band which is well documented.

Everyone does not have issues with the band, so to destroy this forum with negativity seems be a bit evil and (catty) hence all women are doing the band bashing, SOME people may want to know how to use it properly.

What is being SUPPRESSED is issues with the Sleeve. I have nothing against the Sleeve, I would have gladly revised to it when I had my hernia repaired last year. (even though I was not happy nor was my husband about removing my stomach). So I did not revise. (But--If I EVER change my mind, I am happy that I still have that option, if NEEDED.

But there are a lot of unknowns with the Sleeve from a long term standpoint, something that I refuse to be a guinea pig with, at least I can remove the band if I start having issues with it.

The Sleeve is marketed with NOT removing the Pyloric valve, but still many have dumping syndrome and Hypoglcemia, which is a mixed message and people are keeping quite about issues they have ON THIS BOARD.

Some things many people don't talk much about is REACTIVE HYPOGLYCEMIA that can happen LONG TERM with both GASTRIC Bypass and the Sleeve, I don't go into a weight loss surgery just because (it's popular) by the way the lap band was NOT that popular when I got mine back in 2005. I make sure that there is CLEAR medical studies of what can happen long term.

One of the reasons I did not get the Sleeve was I read this trial study on long term issues of Reactive Hypoglycemia, more Bypass people get it because more people have the Bypass, but now since more people are getting the Sleeve they are seeing long term issues with people suffering from  Hypoglycemia which can be deadly and debilitating if it's chronic.

I get mixed message about the Sleeve, I will not get a weight loss surgery just because others have it, I get what is safe for me long term and fits my lifestyle. I don't think surgeons have a financial interest in the lap band, it cost LESS than all other surgeries, and if done properly, you only need about a few fills, which only cost me about $30 dollars co-pay. I can't say this with my old band, because it was not done properly.

If you get the Bypass/Sleeve or DS, they COST MORE MONEY, and additional costs are incurred for LONG TERM NEEDED VITAMINS, and lab work. I don't need all with the band, especially as I get older, this would concern me. Only yearly Upper Gi that's all I need now.

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT01581801

Bariatric Surgery and Reactive Hypoglycemia

Bariatric surgery has long been recognized as an effective treatment for grade 3 or grade 2 obesity associated with complications. Among the bariatric surgical procedures, roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB) was shown to account for 41% of all bariatric operations at least in the United Sates. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), that was conceived as the first step before performing a RYGB or a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in patients who were super-obese, has recently emerged as a new restrictive bariatric procedure.

The incidence of severe hypoglycemia or related symptoms (shakiness, sweating, dizziness or light-headedness, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, confusion, syncope, epilepsy, seizures) within 5 years after the operation.

Reactive hypoglycemia is a late complication affecting up to 72% of RYGB patients although it seems to occur also after SG, in about 3% of the cases. However, until now no prospective studies have investigated the incidence of hypoglycemia after RYGB nor randomized studies have been undertaken to compare the effect of SG to that of RYGB in terms of incidence of hypoglycemic episodes.

Sorry, Doc, but the band is just simply a dangerous and damaging surgery. The word "misuse" implies one can control one's internal organs. I know that I'm tired of taking the blame for a subpar surgery. I trusted the medical community to not lead me down the primrose path. Turns out I was misled. We all were. I've said it before and I'll say it again...no one who did enough research would choose a band today.

Dead wrong. You may have not been taught how to use it. But the data isn't there to say its bad.

I lived with and nearly died from the band. Absolutely nothing will convince me that it's a safe device. If someone can "teach" a person how to avoid diaphragmatic damage, I'd love to know how.

This post isn't to debate the band. This post is for those who want to use theirs properly. Debate somewhere else