I'm curious as to why you think a band is better than the other surgeries?  Years ago when I explored WLS, the band seemed best for someone at my weight (about 37 BMI at the time).  The thought of having something foreign in my body scared me off (as did RNY because of the malabsorbsion).

When I researched WLS again last year, VSG seemed perfect: No foreign body or malabsorption - just a smaller stomach.  I am thrilled that I made the choice to have it.  A lot of people revise from band to another surgery when it fails.

Hi!

My first small AP LapBand was put in 10/2006, I had a lot of scar tissue built up and had to have the large band put in 9/2011 (or somewhere around that date).

I was so scared that it would not be the same and I would never get my restriction like some people. I have a lapband and the realize band would like you to believe they are the same but they are not.  When filled the lap band balloons out, the realize band balloons with wise basically restricting a larger area but not as tight. 

I pushed that I get a new LAPBAND not Realize, since it worked for me before. I did have a different sweet or green spot I had to have more fluid than before but recovery went well and I asked them to re position my port.  After I lost all the weight my port settle in a very uncomfy spot, sort of at my pant line. 

What I found hardest about the process was going back to the liquid diet, I really had to stop and focus making sure I was planning my liquids and I was lucky that bone broth is available easily now (Sprouts) and that adds tons of protein.  I actually still use it in my soups to add protein. 

I tried to loose a little extra and retain myself as soon as I knew I had a date, just being super strict with my diet so that time when I was trying to get my restriction back that I did not gain too much.  I know the cycle of depression when you are gaining and feeling not in control of hunger and I made sure I talked myself out of it. Telling myself I would get back, by this point I had a family and I really had to talk with them about support, they were so used to me taking care of it all (my diet stuff) so I really need their help this time. 

It paid off I feel better and did not gain too much. And after I got my restriction back I was back to it and lost the weight, even had another baby the year after and it took longer but I did get that weight off. 

Hello everyone.

I was banded with a Realize band 3/8/08 and lost 100plus lbs with my band in a year. I have not had any type of fill in SIX years and was just gliding along happily maintaining my weight easily until this summer. I lost restriction completely.  Went it and did a check and realized I had a leak. Dr did an endoscopy this past Monday to be sure there was no erosion or slippage. There was not and my stomach is perfectly fine. I am scheduled to be unbanded and rebanded next week. I came back to this site (which had been such a source of information and comfort to me all those years ago) to get information about the types of bands available at this time and am in shock at the negative feedback about the bands. I'm now a little scared. My band had changed my life and I haven't had any issues at all until now. I figured a leak after 8 years isn't the worst thing and my insurance will pay for a new one, so I want it. After reading some of these posts Im a little jarred. Should I be more hesitant? Is the incidence of problems truly that bad?  The other types of WLS just aren't for me. What ARE the current bands on the market? Thoughts?

HELLO,

Looking for someone who does fills in the NB area or someone who is going for fills and can give me a name and number.

thnaks