I had the band for over 9 years.  I had a lot of issues.  I couldn't eat.  The bad food went down without trouble resulting in weight gain.  I had an upper gi that found my stomach above the band was dilating. That was grounds to be removed.  I ended up revising to the sleeve and am very happy I did.  I am still progressing through the stages of eating/healing but I have not thrown up once and the feeling of food going down my throat is awesome.  I lived in misery for years...not anymore.  Consider the other options but do what is best for you.

 I was banded in 2007... I got the band because one of my  family members had same surgery and  it was less invasive....  i have to say I have hit a plateau a week after surgery,  followed everything to a T, I was a model child for lap band,  lost some weight but not even half of my extra weight (i am 155 lbs overweight)... let me put it this way, if i could go back in time i would have RNY done in a second....  i

Ever since I was banded, I  felt like it has been such a pain in the butt and is not even worth it, I am still overweight, I cant eat things like many foods or they will get stuck and i barely have anything in my band,  i am constantly hungry even after i just ate.... even tough I can no longer eat many bad foods  I am still not losing weight even though I am active.  Also, if you are sensitive to needles, I suggest you stay away from the band.... I am not that sensitive to needles and had plenty of fills  but still cannot get over seeing that huge needle sticking out of my abdomen.  Also, there have been plenty of times where I would have food stuck while at work after which i would spend 1.5 hours in the bathroom trying to throw it up or make it go through and just salivating in horrible pain.  

It is your decision definitely, but just because you are scared to do more invasive surgery don't  settle for something that may not fulfill what you are looking for.  All these years I was so scared of even thinking about having RNY, but i finally got so fed up with the band and being so obese that I just decided to face my fears and look into revision.  

I agree there are few that lap band worked for but I was not one of the lucky ones. 

I am glad you are doing your research and talking to others, hope you make the right decision for you.

Nat

My husband and I departed WI for SC last Sunday. We were coming down to Charleston to visit our son. The trip started out nicely. We were excited for our road trip and the holidays. We had traveled for about 5 hours and then stopped at a gas station. I hopped out of our truck and accidentally kicked a water bottle to the ground, so I bent over to pick it up. I felt the familiar twinge in my left shoulder. Crap, crap, crap. Not again. I had my band out in 2005, for crying out loud. Just bending over to pick something up shouldn't ruin my life. But when your band damages your Vagus nerves and diaphragm, you just never know when you're going to feel like **** out of the blue... just from moving "wrong."

I spent several hours sneezing violently while having tremendous left shoulder pain. I was bawling my head off by the time we stopped for the night. We had planned to travel several more hours, but I simply couldn't do it. Sooo, once again, in spite of having had the band removed over a decade ago, it still managed to affect my life adversely.

There's no pill to take, there's no medical intervention. You can't "fix" the diaphragm and there's simply nothing that can be done, so if you get a band, be aware of the LONG LONG LONG term consequences. "We'll just remove it!" Yeah, right. This whole week has been very painful... all because I opted for the "less invasive, removable" lap band in 2003. I cannot say it any other way... the band truly was the worst decision I EVER made and I don't wish this on anyone. 

Hi amcz82 :

i got a band in 2013 and paid  out of pocket it cost 16000$ and was the biggest mistake of my life. All it did was cause me problems and the band after 5 years is no longer effective. If your serious about losing weight then a sleeve or RNY is for you. 

Im booked to have an RNY Jan 25 and can hardly wait. 

This time I did my research and that what I recommend you do. I've asked bariatric surgeons and they don't like the band. 

DR. Go by success and percentages of long term weight loss 

not one dr. Said the band was effective long term. 

Lap band success is 41.8%

vertical sleeve 89%

RNY 97.9%

please do your home work if you want long term weight loss the lap band is not for you. 

You have to remember that what they give you is only a tool and 

 only lifestyle changes will give you optimal success. 

Ask and do your research and ask professional people there opinion , there is lost of documentation about your options. 

I know your concern is that if the lap band is not successful you can an have it removed. 

As for the sleeve and RNY they are permanent and non reversible. But talk to all 99.9999 % would never change there choice to get the RNY or vertical sleeve. 

If you want success in long term weight loss do your research first. I'm from Ontario and had to complete a program from a bariatric facility. You see nurses social worker nutritional it's , dietician and bariatritionalist that teach you what needs to be done and if your successful you will continue into the surgery phase. 

It took me 9 months to complete then see a surgeon  and anethesiologist to make sure your successful. Candidates in our program once complete are 100% successful. 

Seek your options and don't make my mistake , get what will give you the most success 

 Some people with the lap band have success don't get me wrong just not long term 

Good luck in your future journey 

Simon 

.     I've had the band for seven years. After five years started to get major complications. Ie esophagus damage. Ulcers. Gerd and reflux etc etc.  the band is a time bomb   A better choice would be sleeve or rny bypass. Good luck to you