Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Freaking Out!!!



Recommended Posts

I am a nurse in surgery at a local hospital. We have just started doing lap bands. I had mine done at another hosp. in Aug of this year. One of the doctors was going to take a band out of someone (put on by another md) and was overheard saying the life expectancy of people after lap band is age 67. This doctor does not recommend them due to this fact, stomach erosion and other possible future complications. This scared the heck out of me and another coworker.

My question is this:

1. is there anyone out there who has had there band longer than 3-4 years and how are you doing?

2. What can I do to prevent stomach erosion (other than the obvious don't eat like a pig).

3. has anyone else heard of this before

It's all that is on my mind, I'm afraid I didn't research this enough and 5-10 down the road I'm going to have to have it removed.

I have a confession to make, I'm a soda drinker (doesn't cause problems) could this add to my erosion/complication risk.

Please help put my mind at ease!!:cry

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am unbanded, but I can tell you what my surgeon said at the seminar I went to. He said that they band was basically like any other mechanical device that is inserted into the body, and to expect it to last about as long. He said that anyone being banded should expect to have the band replaced at least once in their life, since it should last 7-10 years. Like any mechanical device, it can break down.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hm. In hearing that (and having no idea where he got that information from) I would take it from a different point of view. First of all, people who have been morbidly obese at some time in their lives likely have some health problems resulting from that that are unfortunately not reversible, the damage is done. Secondly, since people who are overweight don't always lose all their excess weight when they try ANY type of diet or surgery to get it off, those left over excess pounds can still cause some health problems.

Lastly, I think as banding becomes more popular and well-known, people will start knowing about the band sooner, get it done younger, and perhaps have less co-morbidities and problems prior to it. That should statistically raise the life expectancy rate.

That said, as soon as I'm banded I am going to try to pay it off as quickly as possible and be saving my money because I do KNOW there are no guarantees and I may have to replace it someday.

Basically, the info doesn't scare me. Heck Until I got approved for the band I didn't know if I would make it to age 35 let alone 65! I'd love to be able to hope for another 30 years beyond that!!!! (Though more is always better :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'll let you know in 7 years if I'm still here! I don't think he has anything to base that statistic on. He could be talking about overweight people, but those we a lapband? Its not like it is pumping our heart or anything. If it causes problems out it comes. Monitoring of it should catch erosion before it kills us.

Guess I'd better start living my life real fast, tick tock. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I ask my Life insurance company. They are betting that I live longer with the band than without. I would bet that they have a lot better information than my doctor. The idea that I might enjoy life a lot more is not something that the insurance cares about, only that they will collect money and not pay a claim.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd be interested in stats someday showing the life expectancy of bandsters vs. people who didn't do something to lose weight.

As far as how long the band lasts, I'm not sure anyone really knows. I've read that it's made from the same materials as things like replacement knees and hips, but since they don't do the same type of job as those joints and have the wear and tear, they should last longer.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The doctor who is performing my surgery on dec the 18th is banded and he told me he wouldn't have had it done if he hadn't been researching it for years on years and he is over 50

I was also told the band could last my whole lifetime if I take care of it I am 22

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My girlfriend of 7 years had WLS 3 years ago. She was a BIG chicken but when her doctor held a mirror up to her face and told her " Look at that face, now go outside and look for one that looks like that 10 years older" it may have been rough but she got the idea. Now almost 200lb lighter and much happyer. I was at last able to afford WLS and looking to more happy years with her.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'll reply to this thread in 2 years time!!! hehehe I have heard of stomach erosion...thank god i haven't experienced it...yet (touch wood NOT) try and stick by the rules...however, I have to admit...I don't always...but I am still loosing weight and take one day at a time. That is how I survive on lap band.

:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the responses. I got one thing cleared up the doc said life of the band is six to seven years oops!

After reading a bit more a lots of thinking, I'm not going to worry about it anymore. This band is in me now, I'm losing weight and I'm happy about that. I guess it's going so well I'm waiting for the "rug to be pulled out from under me".

Who knows what the future holds for ANYONE banded or not. Thanks again:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the responses. I got one thing cleared up the doc said life of the band is six to seven years oops!

Hum, wonder where he got that figure? That's not what I've heard at all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×