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I made it 13 years with only minor slippage and reflux as issues. Sadly, I had to have the band removed in March due to a full slippage and flipping of the band but to be honest, I don't care. I still would rather take that over having parts of my body cut on if possible. I lost 185lbs with the band and I can't sing its praises enough. It technically does have a high complication rate in terms of slippage but I do believe that it is not a fault of the surgery itself but of our eating habits with the band, me included. Despite my hardest efforts, I have quickly gained 20lbs and am looking to return to Mexico to have a new band placed. I am quite determined to not have the sleeve done (I did not have any damage to my stomach from the previous band).
I haven't read the other replies yet, but what I want to tell you is that there seems to be a lifespan for the band of around 10 years. That's when many of us started having some serious issues and side effects. I unknowingly had a very badly slipped band (found out during an xray for another issue), left shoulder pain and severe headaches and severe GERD. I honestly had a love-hate relationship with my band and had to have it removed reluctantly or my stomach was going to die according to my doctor and another doctor I consulted with. I would have loved to switch to VSG and I am still fighting the insurance about it because I was such a successful band recipient.
If I was her and you, I would definitely consult with the bariatric group. Many insurances won't pay for removal of a band unless it is an emergency. However, she may qualify for revision surgery if she is still at a high BMI.
From what I understand, most bariatric surgeons are steering clear from doing lap band nowadays.
Mary
So I have an update on my wife's case. My wife finally agreed to see my future surgeon to talk about her lap-band issues and went in on Friday. The office staff kept trying to treat her like a new WLS candidate, but we had to convince them she wasn't a candidate, but she was just seeking a 2nd opinion on what to do about her lap band that she has had since 2008. The P.A. my wife saw before she spoke with the surgeon of course had to ask a lot of personal questions about what she did post-lap-band implant and her eating habits and exercise since. My wife got very upset because she felt the P.A. was trying to blame my wife for her problems. My wife explained that although she had lost over 100 lbs she was still miserable and unable to keep food down. While she was happy with the results, she was still miserable and was worried about keeping the band in. The P.A. kept telling her that her only option was to remove the band or keep it, as she would no longer qualify for VSG or RYN. When she left the room, my wife burst into tears and wanted to leave. I asked her to wait on the surgeon and she did.
When the surgeon came in he was much more sympathetic to my wife's issues. He asked her about what her previous surgeon had done and what he told had told her. Keep in mind it has been 4 years since she saw her previous surgeon and had "all fluid removed from the band". My wife was convinced that her band had been empty of all fluid for 4 years, but sure some reason the surgeon wasn't convinced. He told my wife that if she was okay with it, that he would have the P.A. insert the needle into her port and see if she could draw out any remaining fluid from the band. My wife happily agreed to the instant procedure. I could tell the P.A. thought it was a waste of time as she inserted the needle into the port, but the look on her face was priceless and she drawled up over 1 cc of fluid from the band!! With her band that is over 25%. The doctor was in shock and my wife was furious with her original surgeon. I hope she never sees him in public as she may kill him if she does. The surgeon told my wife to wait a few weeks and see if the removal of the additional fluid would help and then come back to see him. Within hours she felt better and so far it seems to have made her much more comfortable. We will see in the next few weeks, but this was a huge step into figuring out the cause of her issues.
I'm 5ft 10inches, 33 and currently 150. I like to be around 140. I was that weight for a long time until I had my fourth child last year. I know I'll get there again. It's not hard for me to stay at that weight but it's a little difficult to reach it. I chose that weight because I feel my best at that weight and clothes fit me best. I can actually feel the weight sitting in my torso area when I above 145.
Hi, I'm getting the Lapband on 5/31/18 how are you doing with it?
I don't have a lap and and would suggest no one get one.
if you choose to get one anyway, I wish you well.
Hi, I'm getting the Lapband on 5/31/18 how are you doing with it?
I was banded in 2008, I was 256 at the time of surgery and I loss approx. 30lbs. I had some issues with my esphogus enlarged due to the restriction of the band. My band was unfilled 6 mos. after it's placement and remained unfilled for 9 years. I had also developed major indigestion and heartburn so my band was removed in 2017. Lastly, my voice became permanently deeper due to the effects of the band.
I was so happy to have that device out of my body.
Highest Weight = 279lbs.
VSG Surgery Weight = 253 lbs.
Goal Weight = 175 lbs. (5'5)
Current:194
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HW:330 - GW:150 - MW:118-125
RW:190 - CW:130
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