Question:
how long can the band be in place and function?

   — pzim (posted on July 2, 2009)

July 3, 2009
I had my band done in October of 2003. I got an upper GI done this April to check placement. It is still perfect. So my answer is as long as you take care of your band, it's a lifelong investment. Hope this helps, Trish
   — dragonflier

July 3, 2009
Statistics show that people (it's a pretty high percentage, but I don't have time to find the data right now), have problems around 10 yrs out. Some sooner, some not.
   — Teresa V.

July 3, 2009
I asked that same type question to my surgeon. I asked what will happen to it in say, 50 years. His answer was that since it hasn't been around that long, no one has that answer. If the research is showing 10 years, that doesn't sound very good to me. I am doing this for a lifetime change, not just a decade..... now, one other interesting thing that my surgeon said is that if you look at how different surgeries and solutions for WL have changed over even the last 10 years, there may be something even greater and beeter in 10 years. My insurance only covers lapband, so that ends up being my surgery of choice.
   — Libby R.