Post Lap Band surgery

Can a lap band be left on the stomach indefinatley after surgery? I have received conflicting information so I will put out to all of you. Thanks!

Hello, Yes it can......and should be. The good thing about the band, is if for medical reasons you need it out...you can! I was banded...plan on keeping mine for a long long time!!! I hope this helps!! (oh yeah, why are people telling you that you don't keep it?? What reason do they give??)

I have heard that it can perferate the stomach, become infected etc. I have just completed my classes and pre op consultations with MD Doc, Psycologist, Pulmanary. I am now waiting for the surgeons office to contact my insurance company for approval. I would hope to have surgery in January sometime. When did you have your surgery and how are you doing with it(loss)?

Hi I just had the lap done October 5th and lost 26lbs within the first 9 days, I have experienced minimal pain. I will not lie the first two weeks are not easy, the whole clear liquid thing sucks. By the third week it gets alot easier. I go for my first fill this Friday so I am nervous. Good luck and congradulations!

did you have to drink the liquid diet for the two weeks before your surgery?

I didn't have to do the liquid for 2 two weeks prior to..only the day before...two weeks prior is insane (IMHO) if, I could have done that---I wouldn't have needed the band. LOL The band is smooth silicone and cannot perferate the stomach...just can't! It also can't become infected for that same reason. You can get infections in the incision areas but that has nothing to do with the band or the port. The silicone is made to be inserted into human bodies. Perferate the stomach----from what I have read...people who have the band "dig" into their stomach...was due to overeating and stretching the pouch....think of it this way....you are wearing a tight belt ...you go to the buffet...and you over eat. but you can't take the belt off...over time it would dig into you. You know, you see it on tv where some idiot puts a collar on a puppy and they never change it.....now the dog is grown the the vet has to cut it out of their neck....sickning. But basically the same idea. So be kind to your stomach and the band will be fine! I have read of band erosion...but that has to be from other underlying causes. Even silicone in boob implants doesn't erode...sometimes the baggie they are in gets damaged...but again not from natural causes. But the silicone itself stays intact. (different form of silicone but still silicone) I had my surgery 4 weeks ago and have lost 21 lbs....I would do it again in a heartbeat! (haven't weighed myself in a few days because my period is due anyday and I tend to carry 5 to 8 lbs...so I don't want to see it on the scale....lol) I was checking out my incisions in the shower this morning....wow the band incision is almost completely invisible...the only one that is noticible is the one above the port...because its larger. Don't listen to the nay-sayers.....talk to your doc, talk to other bandsters!! Worse case senario----if you were to develop problems, the band can be removed! Best Wishes to you!!!

Yes, the band can perforate the stomach and the band can erode into the stomach. Erosion does NOT refer to the silicone of the band leaching into the body. It refers to the rubbing of the band on the stomach which eventually wears away the tissues allowing the band to go into the stomach or even other areas. Not trying to scare you. But it can and does happen. Sometimes from repeatedly overeating at meals - sometimes vomiting can cause slippage and/or erosion. The most important thing is to stay in followup care AND if something is not right - GET MEDICAL ATTENTION and don't take no for an answer if you think something is wrong!

Hey! Barbara that was a great post, with great info: I enjoyed reading it. I want to thank you also for letting me know what we are "bandsters"..........I will have to get a shirt with that on it and see if someone will get it. I remember when I had a hysterectomy I was on a support site that called us "hystersisters"........ Thanks again. Hope you are doing well my friend nobetterwomen

eveyone, Thanks so much for the helpful information. I am not trying to listen to the nay sayers but my brain is be bombarded by so much information right now. Some good, some not so good . The Dr. I am going to use did the sugery on a friend of mine yesterday. I visited her last night in the hospital and she look good. The only real pain she had was from where the port was inserted, other wise she was just basically uncomfortable from the gas build up inside.

Brain bombardment is totally understandable. Sounds like you friend is in good hands....tell her good luck!! Take care!