Question:
about lap band surgery

Does anyone know how long a band can stay in place? Is there a warranty on defects or replacement needs? Pam Z. Ontario, Canada    — pzim (posted on July 2, 2009)

July 2, 2009
It is meant to be permanent.It will stay in for the rest of your life.You can have it removed, but they say that you will resume your current eating habits and regain all the weight if you do.
   — pattyann

July 2, 2009
Dear pam : My name is Ruth Rowe I had Lap-Band Surgery 3 mos. ago I have the Realize Band in Me and here it is Even FDA approved . I like mine I don't even know it is there I don't even feel it I am 68 yes old . I've already had My Insulin reduce by 3 units i was on 38 and now I am on 35 units the other thing is i feel great.
   — Ruth Rowe

July 3, 2009
I believe it is forever!! I am having so much fun watching the pounds just fall off me!! I had LB last November and I am down 86# with only 30 more to go. Losing between 10-12# per month. I haven't had a fill in 3 months, and I'm doing just great. It IS a lifetime commitment, and not so hard to live with once I got over the carb addiction. That was rough. I haven't had a potato, no pasta, no bread, and absolutely no desserts since last October! I pray that I never have any of these things again in my life. I do NOT count calories nor fat grams. I ONLY count carbs, and I keep that under 30Gms a day. When I have the munchies, I eat about 4 slices of bacon! I will admit that I do have one "cheat", that being Hershey's dark chocolate Kisses, and then I only have 2, it says on their package that the dark chocolate is equal to a glass of wine, and good for the heart, so I allow myself this minor indulgence. My Dr. knows I do this, and he hasn't said for me to stop. My feeling is that if I am feeling deprived, I will fall into a carb attack and lose all the ground I have gained since surgery. I'm 62, a nurse here in Jacksonville, and still working full time. My insurance is the best, Aetna. They paid 100% and are still paying for my monthly visits. I work for HCA, and my hopsital bill was also paid 100% by my employer. Ya know, they don't want unhealthy people (like me, FAT, slow, short of breath, back problems, etc.), being an example for their sick patients. Also, my insurance doesn't want to pay for me to have a heart attack and end up a cardiac cripple, or on disablitiy because of back problems so by us all working together, everyone benefits. I am much quicker on my feet, heart is doing fine, LDL, HDL and tryglicerides are all normal, and the boost to my self-esteem is remarkable. I do take alot of supplements. I have no problem with the big pills as long as I take them *before* I eat. I don't ever drink liquids with my meals. I can eat 3 meatballs, or 3 chicken wing sections, or 1/2 cup cottage cheese with Splenda fruit cocktail (Sams) and I am usually stuffed!. I always put protein in my pouch first, and if there is any room left, I eat some veggies. I don't touch raw fruit, and I save my bacon for my snacks. LB surgery has been a life-saver for me. My life began again on Nov. 4th 2008, and I am so grateful. Sure, I still have bad days when I want a chocolate donut, but when I walk in front of my mirror, the feeling passes! It IS a lifetime change, and anyone who thinks it's temporary with prove themselves right and gain all their weight back. BTW, did I tell you that my insurance is going to pay for a total body and breast life this coming November? Uh Huh, by then I will have lost a whole human being of about 120#. I am a walking commercial for LapBand surgery! Just me, Sam(f) Haddock Jacksonville, FL
   — BeenThere1