Question:
What is your experience with AGB, weight loss and complications?

I have a planned AGB surgery in a few weeks. I am considering whether to go ahead or cancel. I need to loose 100 pounds. Anonymous    — Lilly W. (posted on July 8, 2003)

July 8, 2003
Hey .. AGB has very few complications, and most of them can be fixed with ease. The Band itself is very user-friendly, as long as you have a good understanding of how it works. There are several Band-related sites and support groups on the Web where you can get your questions answered and your fears (mostly) laid to rest. I'm having my Band placed next week and I am so excited! There is a Band group on this site .. the address is http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/LapBand/posts/ .. and you will also find the LapBand Support group at spotlighthealth.com very, very helpful. Please be sure and check out what other Bandsters have to say. There's a lot of misinformation out there. Best of luck to you!
   — Jeanie

July 8, 2003
Just something to think about...I was going for the band until I found out they are only guaranteed for 7 years...For me if the company thinks they are only good for 7 years then what does that say for the product. Please consider if you are willing to have it replaced in 7 years or less. Good luck on which ever way you decide.
   — Barbara S.

July 8, 2003
I've had no complications, I'm averaging a loss of 10 pounds per month, and I have no regrets. I started at 100 pounds overweight also.<BR> I have no idea where the other poster got her information about the band being guaranteed for 7 years, but that is <B>NOT</B> true. The lap band is designed to be a lifelong medical device, just as a joint replacement, pacemaker, or other implanted device.<BR> I recommend the following message boards for people who are researching the lap band. There seems to be a problem with rampant disinformation on certain sites and I found it enlightening to speak to people who have actually researched the band and live with it on a daily basis.<BR> www.spotlighthealth.com (click on Morbid Obesity, then support groups, then lap band support)<BR> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bandsters/?yguid=6535337 <BR> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmartBandsters/?yguid=6535337<BR> Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.
   — TMF

July 8, 2003
this is not in support or against the band, but this idea that it's guaranteed for 7 years...um, if that's true and that's the reason you chose not to have it, did you get a guarantee on your RNY? I didn't!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 9, 2003
I really hate to post to this question, but I'm gonna. I had the band and ended up with some really nasty problems. Now I know that it has probably changed some since I had it but you really need to research it throughly. It is now MY belief that anytime you introduce an outside substance into the body you can have some serious problems. I ended up having it revised, having to have the damage fixed (it had adhered to my liver) and then getting a RNY. I really wish I had done that first. BUT you have to make the decision for yourself. We are all different! Diana
   — Diana W.

July 9, 2003
Diana,<BR> Could you be a little more specific about your adjustable gastric band experience? When did you have your lap band installed and where? At what point did you develop problems? How many lap bands had your doctor placed when you had your surgery? <BR> Thanks.
   — TMF

July 9, 2003
Diana, you say you had AGB but your profile refers to gastroplasty. Did you have the Lap Band, or the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty? The two bands and the two surgeries are entirely different. Please clarify?
   — Maria N.