Any banders?

I'm looking for banders who have been banded for awhile. I'd love to know what the long term has been like. I'm trying to decide between RNY and banding. I'd prefer banding just because it isn't as invasive. But I want to make sure that long term it is as effective. Jane

There are a few long term banders of 4 and 5 years on the lapband forum try there .... most on other OH sites are RNY .... laop-band has only been approved in the United states for the past 5 years ... so there are not too many on there there ARE many who have had their bands 2 and 3 years... Arianna

Check on the Lap Band board - I know of at least one long term bander who posts regularly there (because she also posts now and then on the DS board). While any surgery can work, and any surgery can fail, the band is *not* as successful as the RNY, and neither of them are as effective as the DS in terms of average weight loss and weight maintenance in the long term, according to the clinical data. Good for you for doing your research. Another place to look for information is www.pubmed.com. Use the various WLS as your search terms "Gastric Bypass" for the RNY, "Band" or "Lap Band" or "Adjustable Gastric Band" for the Lap Band, and "Duodenal Switch" for the DS. The information you'll find there are the published results of surgeons from around the world documenting the long term success, complications and questions that have arisen. Good luck in your search for the right surgery & surgeon for you. --BT

I'm a bandster, and have been for just shy of 1 year. I've lost about 70 pounds so far, and my journey still continues. It's true you will lose weight slower than with the bypass, but the end results are usually pretty similar. I chose this path because it's a littel less invasive, as you mentioned, and I also really wanted to lose slowly so I would learn new behaviors at a slower pace. I have had ZERO complications, I was out of work for 1 week after surgery, and I'm enjoying the changes I'm making in my life. My band is currently filled at 2.5cc's in a 4cc band. I'm happy to answer any other questions you may have about the band if you desire. Best of luck in your research! Christy