getting band ,,,,maybe

Hi.

I have been approved by insurance and have a pre-surgery Dr appt for a lap band.but after reading all of the negative posts I am reconsidering.

It seems all the negative posts are by the same group of people for every lap band decision thread. and the bad stories to seem sincere and they do seem like they want to help  people avoid the same hard learned lessons they have made before us,but it does seem like a lot of negativity.

But where are the success stories? is the band that bad?  it can't be all that bad..can it???  I have heard of people being successful with the band and have heard of people getting them out as well.(well just one person it came out of). but a heck of alot more people doing good better.

Now I know the place I am going to is in business to sell bands.and all of their patient advocates have been banded they all seem fine( but then again they are trying to sell me a band).

Hopefully when I see the surgeon we can discuss all the negatives that I see here vs the benefits.

thanks

FatBill

We suggest that a pre-op make a list of questions before they see a bariatric surgeon.  In your list, include the issues and concerns you've seen posted on the OH message boards. 

To get you started, we've provided a link to a list of questions to ask a bariatric surgeon.  Use any or all of the questions on this list and add your own. 

Good luck!!

~~Just like you said the "same ole negative ppl" post here, seem to be up to no good, and I honestly don't believe a word they say.~~

Quite frankly, that is insulting.  Several of us have almost died from the lap band and you DARE to suggest you don't believe it?  Do you doubt cancer victims as well because you don't want cancer?

How about some links for you?  Want to read?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/risks-lap-band-surgery-we ight-loss-treatment-13196012

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/lap-band-surgery-falls-13 193458

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/Obesity/25456

The following link is the king of bands in the US, he is who Allergan pays to write studies supporting the band.  Matter of fact, most of the studies out there that show the band in a positive light are indeed sponsered by Allergan, the band maker.

http://verona.patch.com/groups/editors-picks/p/report-christ ie-lap-band-surgeon-faces-multiple-malpr536bdcec50

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-07/allergan-receive s-u-dot-s-dot-subpoena-over-weight-loss-device

The FDA made Allergan change the wording they use to patients, they had to refrain from claiming the band is a lifetime device:

Per Allergans own literature, the system is NOT a lifetime product:

http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/HM0670_94800-16_lapband_d fu.pdf

the manufacturer of the LAP-BAnD
® Adjustable gastric 
Banding system has designed, tested and manufactured 
it to be reasonably fit for its intended use. However, the 
LAP-BAnD
® system is not a lifetime product and it 
may break or fail, in whole or in part, at any time 
after implantation and notwithstanding the absence 
of any defect. causes of partial or complete failure 
include, without limitation, expected or unexpected 
bodily reactions to the presence and position of the 
implanted device, rare or atypical medical complications, 
component failure and normal wear and tear. in 
addition, the LAP-BAnD
® system may be easily 
damaged by improper handling or use. Please refer to 
the adverse events section in this document and to the 
information for Patients booklet for a presentation of the 
warnings, precautions, and the possible adverse events 
associated with the use of the LAP-BAnD
® Adjustable 
gastric Banding system.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Page 14, bottom left paragraph.

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/lap-band-side-effects-additional-surgery-17088/

Would you like more?

My suggestion is to not go to a band mill.  Go to a surgeon that knows how to do all the surgery types and they won't have a reason to push you into the only surgery they know how to do.  When you go to a Toyota dealer do they push Hondas on you?  Of course not.  If you go to a surgeon that knows how to do all the surgery types they don't have a vested interest in pushing you into just one surgery type, they already have your business.  Now they can help you get the surgery type for you.

Go back in the history of this page.  Find a page from oh... six months or so ago.  Just do a search.  Find a page where a newbie asks... if you had to do it again would you still get a band?

The answers are typically like this, and again - see for yourself.  Don't take my word for it.

For those post op that are: 

0-6 months they are in love with their surgeon and in love with their band.

6-12 months they realize they are doing the work, not their surgeon.  But they are still in love with their band.

12-18 months post op they are having issues but the scale is moving so they will live with it.

18-24 months they are growing tired of the stuck episodes, vomiting, unreliable restriction, and assorted issues.

24 months on they are revising to a safer surgery type.

Again, look for yourself.  Don't take my word for it.

Bands are a high pressure device under your esophagus.  Bands are pushing food up and your esophagus is pushing food down.  Your esophagus can only take that abuse for so long before damage sets in.  That is why sooooo many banded people are coming out saying that they have esophageal damage.  Irritation can be fixed by removing the band, damage to your esophagus is forever.

Why do YOU think so many doctors are declining to do bands anymore?  Same with hospitals and entire countries?  They are opting for something safer.

Read the studies that are not paid for by band makers, that is where you get unbiased truth.

You are correct, the band has been around for a long time.  40 years to be more specific.  First it was the mesh band of the 70s, that didn't work.  Then it was the Molina band of the 80s, that didn't work.  Then it was the non adjustable metal band of the 90s, that didn't work.  then early 2000 came the small adjustable band, that didn't work.  Now the mega adjustable band and you know what?  The stats haven't changed in 40 years.

I was the poster band person, I was at my surgeon's office about every two weeks for a fill/unfill.  My surgeon was an Allergan proctor, btw.  I lost well over 100# in 10 months with the stupid thing but not without a price.  You can remove the band but you can't remove the damage it causes.  I will have horrific reflux for the rest of my life because of esophageal damage.  We hoped that removing the band would fix it, it did not.  I have barretts esophagus from the damage of the band as well and I only had it for 18 months.  I did not overeat (obviously or my weight loss would not have been excellent), I never slipped and I never eroded but I had just about every other complication from the stupid thing.

Since there is esophageal damage there is nothing holding stomach acid IN my stomach thus I have days where I vomit stomach acid about every 2 hours.  Same as when I had the band.  I had the best medical care, upper GIs, endoscopies, 2nd and 3rd opinions... everyone said the same thing.  My band was positioned perfectly.  But, that was back when the adjustable band was newer and the complications of that particular band were not well known to doctors.  NOW we know those issues were very well known to the band maker, but they declined to tell the FDA what they knew thus the band was approved for use in the US.

Did you know that a common complication is scar tissue growing under the band giving you more restriction than you want with no fill at all?  How is that a patient's fault?  Other issues, esophageal spasms... feels like you are having a heart attack. Slips, erosion, port pain, port migration, ports disconnecting from the tubing, tubing disconnecting from the band, leaks in the tubing, leaks in the port, leaks in the balloon of the band, port infections, esophegeal damage, tubing migration, the list is endless.  MOST people, statistically, have their band removed in a few short years post op.  Those aren't my numbers, I didn't do the studies, I just report the facts.  If you don't like those facts you'll have to take it up with the band makers and authors of the studies.

I never claimed that sleeves don't cause reflux.  You know what I have ALWAYS written?  ALWAYS???  I have always maintained the same info, stats show that less than 1% of sleeves cause long term reflux.  I believe that is a very low and inaccurate figure.  I think it is higher.  I can't prove it but I believe it is higher.  Pretty much everyone has reflux for a few months post op because your stomach is making enough acid for a whole stomach.  It takes the human body time to adapt to a smaller stomach.  Most can taper off PPIs, some cannot.  That is what I have always written.  You honestly make far too many assumptions regarding information you do not wish to believe.

Most people with esophageal damage from the band cannot revise to a sleeve because of acid issues, the only way to deal with the acid from band damage is bypass.  That is their ONLY revision option.  I'd guess 33% can't revise to a sleeve because of band damage, they either remove the band or revise to bypass, those are their choices and quite frankly, the biggest reason people opt for a band or sleeve is because they don't want malabsorption.   But after a band a great many have no other choice.  Again, you can remove the band but you can't remove the damage it causes.

The band has a bad rep because the stats show it is a poor choice for WLS in the greater majority of people.  Again, I don't make the stats, I don't do the studies, I just report them.  If you don't like what the ASMBS or anyone else has to say about the band, take it up with them.

If you only want to hear the good about bands then go to LBT.  Anyone there with band issues is discredited, blamed, dog piled, and removed from the boards if they don't leave on their own.  I am no fan of OH but at least they let people tell their truth about surgery types, good or bad.  That does deserve respect.  Most people with band problems end up on f/b.  It's the only place they are not blamed for something they have no control over unless you would care to tell me how to prevent all the above complications.

Newbies are great at making the claim that regular aftercare, a good surgeon, following the rules will prevent 95% of band problems. Quite frankly, that is a load.  The stats don't lie, the very same people that everyone claims is not chewing their water well enough they go on to revise to a safer surgery type and lose well and do well.  Amazing how that works.

All surgeries have issues, all of them do.  But statistically bands have the most and sleeves have the least.  Bypass is great for those who have reflux not caused by obesity or a hiatal hernia (those can be fixed and surgery type is not an issue).  DS has the best long term stats of all.  I am not talking opinion here, I am referring to facts and stats.

I was very pro band back in the day as well.  I thought my problems were unusual and unique, little did I know that I would become the norm.

Do tell, what are my motives?  How does the surgery type you choose affect my life in the least?  How does it matter to me or my family which surgery type you choose?  What are my motives?  Details, please?  Why don't you tell us all how your surgery choice or that of any other affects us or our family members?  Do we make more money at our jobs?  Does your surgery choice affect my family in some way?  Does your choice in surgery affect if I am satisfied with my day to day life?  Or.... could it possibly be that we just care about our fellow WLS folks?  Oh heck no, it couldn't possibly be that.  Maybe we get toaster ovens for each person that does a bit of actual research before having any WLS.

Stats don't lie, 50% of banded people need their surgery reversed in the first 2-6 years, bypass doesn't have anywhere NEAR that stat.  Not even close.  Less than 1% .... FAR LESS than 1% need their surgeries reversed.  You tell me which is safer.

You want a band thus you will only listen to the upsides of the band and that is fair, it's your body.  But the thing is, you can't say you didn't know down the road.  I hope you aren't a common stat, I really do.  I hope you do well for the rest of your life.  But stats do indeed show that isn't likely.

AMEN! I was an 8 year bandster. Lost my singing voice, esophageal spasms, reflux, erosion, lost all my teeth from puking daily. I HATED THAT THING and I am glad it is gone. It has more complications of any surgery.  I wished I had NEVER had it done. I wished I had done the DS years ago. My spasms are now gone and my voice is coming back a little. My reflux is now under control from medications. Meds did not help me when I had the band. I took them all. ALL. 

I personally know several bandsters. ALL OF THEM HAVE COMPLICATIONS. Have had revisions or want revisions. Now that is something..statistically. 

We used to have a band support group before I revised and moved away from that state and there were probably 50 of us.  Of those 50 only 2 have their bands and the only reason they still have their bands is because ins will not pay to have them removed and they can't afford self pay.

Different doctors, different hospitals, different everything.  Of course those of us who lived with the darn thing, those of us who are nurses, those of us who actually know how to research medical studies we don't know anything.  We could have just asked someone at our support group!  That's the ticket!  What in the world were you and I thinking?  Who needs 4 years of nursing school?  All we ever needed to know in our careers we could have learned at a support group of one type or another!

no surgery is perfect and all will have some people who have complications and some people who aren't successful at losing or keeping off their weight. but the lap-band is the only surgery that some surgeons and the mayo clinic are no longer performing because of its low success rates and high complication rates. 

On August 12, 2013 at 1:53 PM Pacific Time, Nancy Q. wrote:

From my research and talking to several surgeons, many surgeons moved away from the band because  they found aftercare to be annoying and they did not like time it required for filling the band.

From what I hear the band is now being revamped and the new manufacturer will only be selling bands to lap band surgeons, not switch and bait surgeons who only do Bypass and other surgeries. From my research the band failed because too many surgeons were not focused on aftercare, they were only focused on filling band too tight, with little to no aftercare of how the band really worked.

I am actually happy to hear that the band will only be offered by certain surgeons that will give the patients the best aftercare for great long term success. 

They have 4 types of weight loss surgeries for a reason, so it is insulting for ppl tobe against any surgery, it's not one size fit all, if your Bypass fits you, that's great everyone is just not willing to deal with a life time of vitamin regimen for life, I only want to be responsible for fills which I hear only takes about 1 minute, and after you get satisfied with restriction you don't have to go back but once per year, and that fits my lifestyle.

Also anybody with a brain will know if complications occur with the Bypass they are much much more severe, I don't think reflux and spitting up slime to be a serious complication, it's a behavior modification type situation, and if things go wrong I can get the saline removed, or worse the band removed.

so are you suggesting that i don't have a brain because you're insulted that i'm not advocating the band? should i be insulted by your personal attack even though my post didn't personally attack anyone or their choice of surgery, but only presented facts? 

why don't you ask people on here about their not-so-severe band complications. you know, the life threatening and quality of life ruining ones. how condescending and insensitive of you. and you don;t think reflux is a serious complication? try living with it. seriously, i don't know what kind of research you're doing if reflux is cool with you. 

everyone with a brain knows that all 4 surgeries have all kinds of complications, both mild and severe. and that outside of complication rates, the other predictor of success is EWL, of which the lapband has the worst statistics. that's a fact, not an insult. it seems you need clarification on the difference between the two. 

edited: i don't know what's up with the quote box. 

O.O Serious reflux can cause cancer when it is uncontrollable. It can cause erosion and scar tissue. I lost all my molars and have esophageal damage. I was also blessed with corkscrew esophageal spasms. Talk about painful as hell.  I lost my singing voice and my voice changed, became scratchy and low. I did everything right...my band was not to tight...I had scar tissue under my band. 

My spasms stopped once I had the DS and my reflux is easily controlled with medications. Nothing...NOTHING helped before the band was removed. It was a miserable life with the band. I was a veteran, too. 8 years with that POS in me.