Lap-Band Problems - and solutions

From my experience, most band forums eventually turn into failed band forums. So, if a person believes forums should be places to share positive information, there's going to be a dearth of it. There are still a few folks around who are having a decent banding experience. I'm happy for those people, sincerely and genuinely. I don't try to steal away any of their happiness. And if a person is truly happy, nothing anyone says on an internet message board is going to affect that, anyway.

I've had over 10 years to form my opinion about the Lap-Band... living with the band, almost dying from band complications, and finally, living with the long lasting and seemingly permanent effects of the damage it caused. If it were ONLY my experience, I promise, I'd keep my yap shut about it. BUT, I've watched people I care for get hurt, damaged, disappointed and shortchanged over the past decade. I'm not unique in regard to damage from the band.

In fact, people who are experiencing the ubiquitous referred left shoulder pain and can't seem to find any answers from their medical providers are exactly the people who NEED to be on this board. It's a very lonely, vulnerable and scary place... to be in chronic pain from a Lap-Band and have a medical provider place the blame upon the patient. We're here to let these people know that it's NOT their fault. The band simply BEING there, in their bodies, is to blame. There are no "rules" that need following in order to make things better. Follow the rules to keep from puking, follow the rules to lose weight, sure. But as for internal damage that is quite common with the implantation of a gastric band, there is nothing a patient can do to avoid this. There is no solution other than to not have a band in the first place, I suppose. If a person feels the benefits might outweigh the risks, then they should at least have all the possible information available to them.

I can feel good about myself knowing that I've helped people over the years. I spent a LOT of time in pain. I suffered horrific amounts of pain due to the band. I earned my right to be here. Even if I hadn't earned the right, I could still post here as long as I'm not breaking TOS. And the great thing about the internet is that you can demand, cajole, and dictate what "should" be posted and what "shouldn't," but no one has to acquiesce. I find it very egocentric that a medical doctor would try to sway people from posting on a support forum. It would seem that those of us who had less than wonderful experiences need support and caring the most, wouldn't it?  I have never understood this cult-like phenomenon amongst the "banded." If you're happy and you know it and you aren't afraid to show it... that goes over fabulously. If you have life threatening complications, you're a pariah. I know it boils down to most people having the fear of those complications also happening to them (since it does happen with such startling frequency) but it's still a pretty inhumane way to interact with your fellow humans.

I wouldn't bother to respond to any of these posts but my undies get bundled when I see someone trying to dictate what gets posted, honestly. My undies get bundled big time. No one should ever tell anyone not to post "negative" information. No one knows what might help another person.  If people want this to be a "positive" forum, then post  what you consider "positive." No big whoop, right?  

If farting kittens is what you consider positive, then hey, post some adorable pictures of farting kittens. If you like the scary band, "Insane Clown Posse" and want to share a video of their "talents," it's up to you. If you think posting a sonnet written in Sanskrit is uplifting, have at 'er.  It's all welcome. If a person doesn't like farting kittens playing with Insane Clown Posse while reciting Sanskrit sonnets, pass on by and find something you do like. I like posts where others dictate what can be posted. Those get me EVERY stinkin' time. I respond to them! Can't help myself. It's my downfall.

When I joined the forum it was all positive and roses.  I wish there had been realistic post, both positive and NEGATIVE real experiences.  I wish I had the knowledge than to make and informed decision.  To say this forum should be just positive without get all the REAL life experience out there for the newbies looking into WLS would be a total injustice.

For many the band experience has been very negative and they have a right to share.

I had surgery at a COE that had a free band only support group beside the all WLS support group.  Over time that group folded as many had problems that didn't resolve.

They stated that three out of ten people banded there had already had the bands removed.  Many more just left and gave up.  Thru OH I know of many more that went to other (new, closer) centers to have their bands removed.  At the last support meetings I went to I was the only band patient.  While sitting in the waiting room two visits in a row I was talking with patients there for band removal.  Many facing insurance once in a lifetime WLS policies. (Which by the way my insurance head of referrals admitted was due to the large number of band patient wanting revision.  She herself had a band removed within months of banding.)

I am coming up on five years banded. It has not been a perfect trip because I am not a perfect patient. I have "tested my band's limits" a few times and had a negative result--just as I knew I would!

My band is still a blessing to me. I have a fabulous surgeon who believes in high quality after care. I tend to my band every day. Some days I do what I know is right and my day is comfortable and my weight is in control. Other days, I choose to be naughty and I know I should not play with that fire because I am risking it developing into something serious. But, I am a flawed person when it comes to eating. Some days I am doing what I should and some days--well, let's just say I love cookies.

I say all of this to relay that, for the most part, when I am following good band rules I get the results I expected when I had this surgery. I have had ups and downs. Because I follow up with my doc often and ask lots of questions and get the help I need, I am expecting to have this band for awhile. I hope so. Even though I have some more to lose, I know I would have regained all the weight lost without this tool. I respect my doc and I am so thankful I can ask questions and feel CONFIDENT I will get an honest answer.

My sis also has a band. She has not had good after care and her experience has been way different than mine. However, she is still getting her band to work for her. If she had the aftercare and fabulous medical team that I have I bet she would be far more successful than I.

I loved coming to this forum when I was a newbie. So many people inspired me. I am sorry to see that new banders won't get to have that same experience. I know there are many who have had a bad experience--just a thought for those who have: I am an intelligent person who did thorough research before deciding on the band. I would have been able to find you on other boards because I was LOOKING for the bad experiences as well as the good before making my decision. I thank all who want to share their experiences, good or bad, but I am sorry that those who have had and do have positive experiences have more or less quit posting. I hope Dr. Simpson's words can be of help to those in need.

There is only ONE solution.  Have that torture devise removed as soon as possible.  Better yet, never have it implanted in the first place.

One's stomach shouldn't be used for experimental bariatric surgery that has no chance of working.  Clearly, the stomach wasn't designed to have a noose placed around it in a fiendish attempt to limit food from getting where it is designed to go.

Once you have had a band, it becomes very clear that it is a very bad idea.  I think Drs. like it because it keeps the pt. coming back, mainly for costly problems.

See Mary that is everyone's point.  It is not a "torture " device for all patients.  I just realized that yesterday was 5 years for me and my band.  I have maintained a 60+  lbs weight loss and I work very very hard everyday to keep the weight off.  I keep a minimum amount of fluid in my band and I live my life.  I eat, drink and exercise everyday.  Why do we all need to have that "Torture" device removed when we are not having problems with it.  We are simply asking for you all to be somewhat open minded.  I know that a lot of you have had serious problems with their band, but it is not that way for all! 

Theresa

Theresa, well said.

I am almost 4 years post op, maintaining a 125 pound loss, enjoying health and fitness.

my doctor is not getting rich off of me ..... I see him at (free) support groups and once a year in his office for a face-to-face visit.

I have an occasional bout of user-error when I choose the wrong food or wrong quantity, but for the most part my band has worked exactly as originally described.

it dims my appetite and when I eat small bites of healthy food, it allows me to not think about food again for several hours.

i learned from this board that if I would 'control the quality, the band would control the quantity' 

I don't know why my band has worked so well for me when others have struggled and been in pain.  It could be luck, it could be surgical skill, it could be compliance, it could be genetics, it could be magic or a combination of the above.

i am grateful.  I don't recommend the band because I don't know if other people will be as fortunate as I have been, but I don't regret my choice either.

i have worked hard.  I made a plan and I put my head down and I worked u til the job was done and I was at my writ loss goal.

the band helped me reach that goal.  It could go south at any time, and I will deal with that, but for today, I am grateful.

I suppose that everyone who jumps off of a bridge doesn't die either, but it is not a very good idea to test fate.  Many people who originally had a "good" experience with the band have revised to another surgery.

I have been on this board since 2005.  I orginally had such high hopes for the band to be the answer for me.  We fought like gutter snipes with all of the nay sayers back then, many who never had a band and some who did.  We refused to believe the the negative things being posted about the band.  Soon, it became very evident that they were right.  Not only right, but it was much worse than even they were predicting.

Most of my band buddies that I started out with no longer have a band or wish that they didn't.  Many were self pay and can't afford to revise even though it is a daily struggle for them to eat like a normal person.

None of us wish any ill will for anyone who has a band.  We just want to support those who are not having a good experience with the band and to warn those considering a band that there are other options.

Much continued success to you.

Hi Dr. Simpson!

I have referred to your site numerous times and have found that you and my doctor, Thomas Bass, mirror each other! I love how dedicated and involved you are in your practice. I just wish there were more surgeons who had your passion!!! Your patients are so fortunate to actually have you in attendance in your support groups. I believe if more doctors could attend those support groups that would head off so many problems and misunderstandings people have about their "WLS TOOLS".

When I got my Band, it was explained to me that we were to eat to dim our appetite . So many WLS patients have never "known" how to eat until they were "satisfied", and I believe that is why we get ourselves in a pickle, because we are waiting for the "hard stop". 

So glad you are here!

prek-3

You are most kind- thank you.

So what are the keys that have made you a sucess with the band? What do you think you do that helps you loose the weight and keep it off.

Reading through this thread has saddened me terribly.  What happened to this site??  It used to be about supporting one another and offering helpful tips on utilizing your chosen WLS.  When I was first banded in 2007, I was on here daily - multiple times, and had formed wonderful friendships with others going through the same or similar experience as I was.  It was a place I could rely on for helpful input in addition to my surgeon's support group and staff.  I've been off the site for quite some time and only returned recently - only to find negativity and hateful comments.  Truly sad.