Update on Allergan selling the Lap Band System

I have been going to support groups for over four years and I have had a different experience from what you describe.  I do know a few people that have had the band long term that seem to do just fine.  On the other hand, I have seen many who have had issues and my own relative in Germany had to have it removed after only two years because of the damage it was doing to her body.  In the mixed surgery groups, I have seen more lap band people that seem to struggle to both lose weight and to maintain a satisfactory quality of life.  I have noticed that many of them are dealing with complications and concerns.  The long term sleeve patients seem more likely to be at goal and have very few issues.  We usually spend a great deal of time discussing recipes. :)  It seems clear that you have observed something different.  I think each of us has to make the very best decision that we can based on current research, our experiences and what we are comfortable living with long term.  I must tell you that in my surgeons support group most people have had the sleeve done, and I really have never seen anyone look unhealthy afterwards.  As far as taking pills, I do take a multivitamin and a calcium but I took those before surgery as well.  My labs at four years are great and I am really happy with my choice.  I have had a few episodes of mild acid, but they are rare and I am not sure that they are sleeve related.  My mother has some issues with acid too and she has never had any bariatric surgery.  It's possible that the sleeve makes it worse, but I am really not certain.  In any case, it is rare and quite mild and when it does occur, I can treat it with one Tums tablet, so I am not really worried. 

As far as the Governor is concerned, I am happy to hear that he is doing well and wish him great success with his health.  I hope that every obese person finds the answer to their health issues, if the band will work for him, I will only cheer him on. 

I wish you luck in finding the surgery that is best for you and your long term needs.  It sounds like you are researching your options and not allowing anyone to push you into a decision that you will later regret.  I would hope that more people would take the time to do their research and approach this surgery with the level of seriousness that such a life changing event deserves.  Again, good luck to you.

In the end, we all make our choices and live with the consequences.  There is no other way to proceed except based on our own best informed judgment.  I wish you only success and health in your weight loss journey.  I do want you to know that the statistics and my personal experience do not support your observation on acid reflux and the sleeve.  I am quite active in my local support groups and I know hundreds of sleevers from different doctors, and although I have heard of people developing acid issues, I have only heard of one person developing such extreme issues as you describe and it was due to a new hernia.  On the other hand, I have read, on here of a few people with similar issues and in almost every case their sleeve was made in a way to increase the chances of this developing.  For example, the sleeve was made in an uneven fashion, more like an hourglass than a banana.  I am not trying to dissuade you from getting the band, the only reason I am responding is to let others who are researching all options know that the statistics do not support the conclusion that many or even most develop Gerd post sleeve.  Some do and it is a real possibility, but most do not and of those that do, the vast majority can be kept completely symptom free with medication.  You are just in a the beginning stages of a long journey, I hope that all goes according to plan and your band is the lifelong answer you most need.  I have personally met two woman who are seven or more years out and are still thin and quite happy with the band, so I know it is possible.  Good luck to you.

Here is a link to the best and thorough review of the literature on this subject.  As the meta analysis shows, there is no clear answer as of yet on whether the sleeve causes more gerd symptoms or whether it actually decreases the odds of developing gerd.  It seems that a great deal is determined by surgical technique, this would hold up with my real life support group observations. 

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jobes/2013/741097/

That is a good review to read, but I'd like to add that although there are fewer years research regarding the sleeve and gerd, the DS has the sleeve stomach and has been done since 1988, so there may be some useful data to be found. Some of the early DS surgeons made the sleeve with the DS larger than the stand alone sleeve, so data from those surgeons may not apply, but my surgeon has always made the sleeve and the DS sleeve exactly the same, and he was not the only one. 

Despite this tiny sleeve my gerd vanished immediately, but my gerd was solely due to my obesity, and I know every ones mileage seems to vary.