Bandarella

My band was removed a while ago, but the aversions I developed with the band are still there: French fries, dry ground beef, fast food.

So sorry to hear, I had terrible complications too. Hugs!

BTW, I had only one option and it turned out to be the wrong one for me.

What shocks and amazes me about this, is that EVERYONE on here is a former fatty. We are all WLS patients, we have all been overweight, obese and/or morbidly obese.No matter what arena we have thrown our hat into be it bypass, sleeve, gastric band we should all be able to relate to each other on some level. None of these surgeries were easy, none of them are the magic bullet they all take different levels of commitment and dedication to making a life style change. Those who are against the band, are you trying to change the world one comment at a time? The gastric band is a surgical option it's out there it works for many, if not for you. If you have suffered because of it I am truly sorry, but you are OK because your here and your commenting so you survived your affair with the band. There are those who have had WLS and can not say the same they died. There are those who did not have a choice of which surgery to get, and could not afford to get any surgery and they died from their conditions. We are a group that is here to support and advocate for people like ourselves, people who should be of like mind having been where we have been and gone through much of what we have gone through no matter what surgery modality we ended up with, no matter our starting or ending weights. I could go on and on about sleeve patients and bypass patients that I know personally who have failed, and gotten gravely sick and have died, but you don't see me doing that or bashing those who have had these surgeries. I would gladly share what I know from those close family and friends to help anyone, but I would never bash someone or the idea of an intervention such as WLS that can literally save lives, and not just on a physiological level but on a mental and emotional one as well. So be bariatric PALS and remember that you too are here and have a voice because of your journey, and rather then tearing another down, try being a support. Share your ideas and opinions but do so productively in a way that helps rather then in a way that discriminates, degrades or demoralizes and you might just change the world one comment at a time. Yes, I survived my band. That doesn't mean I survived with my quality of life intact. Why is it that it's ok to be pro xyz surgery, but not against it? This is a forum, a place to share ideas, stories and even our "negative" opinions. We're all adults...for heaven's sake! Even in a church, evil is discussed. It's time to open our minds and share experiences....like adults.

SIJoe Advanced Member Posts: 35 Joined: Jul 2013 Gender: Male Location: NEW YORK Surgery: LAP-BAND Surgery Date: Aug 2013 Starting Weight: 276 lbs Weight Lost: 75 lbs Current Weight: 201 lbs Goal Weight: 185 lbs BMI: 31.5 Posted February 23, 2014 - 10:33 AM #21 This is what I meant to post: It's a tad presumptuous to say that Christie is not on this forum. Anonymity is a valuable and significant part of this forum. Did you really think that he would his real name? Very few of us here use our full names. Some don't even have a photo. Anonymity gives us the security to be honest. Even if Christie does not participate, I'm sure there are others here who have struggled and continue to struggle with their weight. You are only two months post- op - you have a long road ahead - hopefully one filled with continued success and good health. But it's unfair to label anyone of us a failure because of your idea of weight loss. Edited by SIJoe, February 23, 2014 - 10:41 AM. You, 2muchfun, catfish87 and 4 others like this Unlike Quote MultiQuote Report EXACTLY!!! . This is why I will never post anything with my true ID on this type of site. Very well put, thank you!

I'm also not a fan of the band... Is stating that considered bashing? If so, so be it. I lost 100 lb with my band, 70 following the food plan and 30 from the complications. Why would I endorse a product that harmed me?

I think 100 lb in one year is a success. I personally took much longer than that to lose 100 lb. If he was 420lb at 5'11" then he was appx 220 lb overweight, give or take 20 lb. If Lapband average excess weight loss is in the 45-60 % range then he's at the average low range...if he loses 60% EW, he will lose another 32 lb or so. He will still be very obese at 288, but much better off.

Removable, but not reversible. Some come out of it with no after effects, others have lifelong damage.

I have to correct you on just one point: sleeve doesn't cause malabsorption, the intestines aren't bypassed at all. Sleeve is considered "restrictive" like band. RNY and DS are the malabsorptive surgeries where vitamins must be taken to prevent deficiencies.

Wow..I am dumbfounded. No concern for the potential problems....telling me to "go away"... I'm blown away. I don't need this. Just trying to spare someone else.

My experience with my band surgeon was that he was more concerned with the mechanics of the band that how it was working (or not working for me). When I spoke to him about revising to sleeve, he suggested band over bypass. It seemed like he never wanted to remove the band. So I found another surgeon. And when the new surgeon removed the band he found a ton of damage - liver adhered to stomach, adhesions, and the stomach wall above the band was so thin he could see through it. There was so much damage that he could not revise to sleeve during that surgery. He toldme I needed a few months of healing This is someone's true experience...

Sky walker....please just make sure you've fully researched. Once you go under, it's done. Yes, all surgeries have risks. Be open to seeing the benefits AND the risks. Remember, gastric bands are removable; the damage they can do is irreversible. Best of luck to you in your quest to become healthier.

I did answer your question...I'm not aware of the group you referred to. Perhaps you're a mole in said group?

slea·zy ˈslēzē/ adjective 1. (of a person or situation) sordid, corrupt, or immoral. synonyms: corrupt, immoral, unsavory, disreputable; More antonyms: reputable (of a place) squalid and seedy. "a sleazy all-night cafe" synonyms: squalid, seedy, seamy, sordid, insalubrious, mean, cheap, low-class, run-down; More antonyms: upmarket 2. dated (of textiles and clothing) flimsy. synonyms: revealing, skimpy; More Origin mid 17th cent.: of unknown origin. Translate sleazy to Use over time for: sleazy Really???

You seem to be painting this picture there's a grand conspiracy by doctors who want to install bands only to revise them later so they can make more money? That's such a stretch I can only laugh! Did I state anything that was untrue? I do agree that all patients perform their due dillegence as you suggest and some of your questions to docs are appropriate. Many of your other claims such as how much weight can be lost isn't as definitive as you portray it. Many reach their goal or within a few lbs of their goal. And many more do not: This study was performed to determine the long-term consequences of laparoscopic gastric banding on weight loss, body image, and life quality in morbidly obese patients. After a minimum follow-up of 9 years (mean follow-up 10 years; range 9-12 years) several questionnaires concerning weight loss, body image, and life quality were mailed to 180 morbidly obese patients following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. One hundred and twelve (62%) patients (92 females, 20 males) completed and returned the questionnaires. Of the entire sample, 73 (64.9%) patients still had the first band, 17 (15.3%) a second band, and in 22 (19.8%) probands the band had been removed for various reasons. Average weight loss, calculated as change in body mass index, was 13.9 kg/m². <Average excess weight loss (EWL) was 30.6%. >A total of 10% patients accounted for >50% of EWL. Half of the probands were completely satisfied with their weight loss and about half had reached their planned weight. Lowest post-operative weight was reached at different times, in nearly half of the probands after 2 years, in one-fourth after 4-5 years, and in about 20% at a later time. More than 90% of the probands experienced longer interruptions in weight loss; about half knew why. The findings indicate that overall quality of life was rated good to excellent by two-thirds of the probands, and fair to poor by one-third. A close correlation was seen between extent of weight loss and quality of life and body image. Despite some limitations, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is an effective and safe long-term surgical treatment for a majority of morbidly obese individuals, resulting in long-term weight loss and health-related quality of life. However, there is also a minority of morbidly obese subjects who do not benefit enough from this kind of bariatric surgery. Future research should investigate what kind of bariatric surgery is best for the particular obese individual in order to minimize unsatisfying post-operative results. Major Subject Heading(s) Minor Subject Heading(s) Body Image Weight Loss Adult Aged Body Mass Index Female Follow-Up Studies Gastroplasty [psychology] Humans Male Middle Aged Obesity, Morbid [psychology] [surgery] Patient Satisfaction Quality of Life [psychology] Questionnaires Treatment Outcome PreMedline Identifier: 21613809 From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. "(Re operation following Lapband is upwards of 50%) any claims of lower % might mean your doctors patients are seeking help elsewhere when problems arise." Or, it means that your doctors patients have a very low % of revisions and re-ops?? Other than a study of patients having surgery 15-2 years ago all new studies are closer to 5-12%. Your other silly assertions regarding achalasia, gastroparesis, adhesions of stomach to liver are rare, few and far between. But for those of you who worship at the Facebook page "Failed Lapbands etc" I understand this is your method of fear mongering and bullying. I'm confused about your use of demeaning adjectives. I'm not aware of the page you mentioned. It's unfortunate that you had so many problems and we'll never know if these problems would have happened with or without the band will we? I have one question? Are you one of the admins on the FB site or just a crusading member? I know I did not have these problems pre band and I do now. I know what my doctors told me is causing them. Your condescending tone tells me that you don't want to hear anything negative about banding. Unfortunately, as Dr Phil says "...it doesn't matter how flat you make a pancake, it still has two sides..." Gastric banding also has two sides. Results that are great on one hand and some pretty nasty complications on the other. It's good to listen to lots of different opinions without resorting to name calling and paranoia.

Never mind, just read your posts again, see you had GB out.

Advice for those researching Lapband: Ask what your doctor's experience is with removing lap bands. How long can I expect to keep my band before it needs to be removed? (Bands are being removed anywhere between 2 years out and onwards. I personally know of only 3 people who have had their bands 5+ years and one of those is on band #2.) What long term negative effects have your patients experienced with Lapband? Lapband is a high pressure system. The band creates a great deal of pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. The esophagus, in attempting to move food into the pouch, puts tremendous pressure on the LES, as well. Over time this causes damage and the sphincter fails to open. This creates a feeling of being "stuck" but your food hasn't even made it to the pouch. This situation is becoming more and more common in the banded population and causes permanent long term damage that cannot be reversed. This is what is called "difficulty swallowing" on the disclosure. It's actually band induced achalasia. Often on the various wls forums or social media groups, people will speak of random tightness, difficulty with swallowing yogurt, liquids, etc, regurgitation of meals despite cutting their food, chewing thouroghly and eating only 1/2 cup meals. What's your practice's re operation %? (Re operation following Lapband is upwards of 50%) any claims of lower % might mean your doctors patients are seeking help elsewhere when problems arise. How many of your Lapband patients have reached goal weight? (Average EW loss is in the 40-60% range...if you have 100 lb to lose, you can expect to lose 40-60 lb.) What do you consider compliance? -attendance at support meetings? -weighing, measuring, logging food intake? -adherence to a particular diet? -steady weight loss? -monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual band check ups? -what is the protocol for fills? (Many doctors consider failure to lose 1-2 lb per week noncompliance despite their patients claiming to adhere to a strict protocol.) I hear a lot about certain complications such as: achalasia, gastroparesis, adhesions of stomach to liver, erosion, band slips, band tightening without a recent fill. What's your experience with these issues. (More and more banded patients are experiencing these complications starting as early as 1 year post op and as long as 9-10 years out.) Will you band someone with autoimmune disorders? (This is a mixed bag...my personal experience is that having a foreign object in my body exacerbated my IBS) Do you screen for contraindications using EGD, esophageal manometry and upper GI? (These tests should be done to evaluate your ability to tolerate banding) If I have a hiatal hernia, what procedure do you use to repair it? What type of sutures do you use? (Nissen fundoplication and pledgeted sutures are never used in conjunction with bariatric surgery to repair existing hiatal hernia). As a final warning, recently there have been increasing reports of cardiac issues following banding...irregular heartbeat, arrhythmias, palpitations, etc. The heart and the esophagus lie side by side in the chest. The vagus nerve(controls heart rate, breathing and GI tract) is also in the same area. Food retained in the esophagus puts pressure on the nerve and heart. This is not good. I'm posting this because although I lost over 100 lb while I had my band, I now have permanent esophageal damage, cardiac problems and I'm on additional medications to manage the complications caused by my band. I was compliant with diet and lifestyle changes. Part of the problem was that my hiatal hernia was repaired using a nissen fundoplication and pledgeted sutures. Also, upon removing my band it was found to be placed very high on the stomach. I didn't have esophageal manometry testing prior to my band placement. (My band doctor was recently named as one of Seattle's Best Bariatric Surgeons for 2013.) 3 years later I had 0% motility when tested. I never had swallowing problems before banding. I still have difficulty with many foods. Bands are a money maker for doctors who are still implanting them. They get paid to put them in, fill them, empty them and remove them, then revise their patients. Many reputable medical institutions will no longer implant a band and many who still do, consider it a short term device and remove within 2-3 years then revise to gastric sleeve before permanent damage is done. I thought the band was least invasive. I have 15 incisions on my belly I didn't have when I started this. 3 surgeries, dozens of diagnostic, invasive tests, $150,000 later and I don't have a WL tool. I have a cardiac condition I didn't have, esophageal dilation and achalasia + 3 new meds costing me $150/month out of pocket. There are risks with all surgeries. Hopefully the questions I suggested will help you make a fully informed decision. Do your research and be open to hearing the "negative" along with the positive...it might save you from years of suffering. Best of luck to you! Bandarella

Have you had an abdominal ultrasound for gallstones?

And my band is empty... He did that after the second episode before the EGD Yes, at night, every couple of weeks at first. I kept my band pretty loose 3 cc then only 2cc. After my band was emptied, it got better for a while, then things went downhill fast.

I didn't know esophageal spasms can effect anything other than the esophagus. I had esophageal spasms from an overfill, and they presented themselves quite differently than what the poster is describing. Mine were truly spasms at the point on the band placement (mid-sternum, between the breasts) and were truly spasms...not pain such as the poster describes, no nausea, but a seizing up, an unbearable tightness, with a de-clenching...all within a couple of seconds. A quick unfill and all was fine. But I didn't realize that the term "esophageal spasms" covered other symptoms as well. The pain of esophageal spasms can feel like anything from heart attack to gastritis to gall stones....that's why the testing to determine the cause of this type of thing çovers such a broad spectrum of possibilities. My husband (normal weight) has had them his entire adult life, once or twice a year. I started having them my second year with the band. My symptoms were very different than his.

This could be esophageal spasms. It's an early warning that things aren't quite right with the band. I had a bunch of tests, EGD, gastric emptying, upper GI, etc all were fine. A few months later as my symptoms increased, I had manometry to check the esophagus...I had lots of trouble there, poor motility. Since my band is out, it's gone.

I can't recommend one or the other but here are my thoughts: Advice for those researching Lapband: Ask what your doctor's experience is with removing lap bands. How long can I expect to keep my band before it needs to be removed? (Bands are being removed anywhere between 2 years out and onwards. I personally know of only 3 people who have had their bands 5+ years and one of those is on band #2.) What long term negative effects have your patients experienced with Lapband? Lapband is a high pressure system. The band creates a great deal of pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. The esophagus, in attempting to move food into the pouch, puts tremendous pressure on the LES, as well. Over time this causes damage and the sphincter fails to open. This creates a feeling of being "stuck" but your food hasn't even made it to the pouch. This situation is becoming more and more common in the banded population and causes permanent long term damage that cannot be reversed. This is what is called "difficulty swallowing" on the disclosure. It's actually band induced achalasia. Often on the various wls forums or social media groups, people will speak of random tightness, difficulty with swallowing yogurt, liquids, etc, regurgitation of meals despite cutting their food, chewing thouroghly and eating only 1/2 cup meals. What's your practice's re operation %? (Re operation following Lapband is upwards of 50%) any claims of lower % might mean your doctors patients are seeking help elsewhere when problems arise. How many of your Lapband patients have reached goal weight? (Average EW loss is in the 40-60% range...if you have 100 lb to lose, you can expect to lose 40-60 lb.) What do you consider compliance? -attendance at support meetings? -weighing, measuring, logging food intake? -adherence to a particular diet? -steady weight loss? -monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual band check ups? -what is the protocol for fills? (Many doctors consider failure to lose 1-2 lb per week noncompliance despite their patients claiming to adhere to a strict protocol.) I hear a lot about certain complications such as: achalasia, gastroparesis, adhesions of stomach to liver, erosion, band slips, band tightening without a recent fill. What's your experience with these issues. (More and more banded patients are experiencing these complications starting as early as 1 year post op and as long as 9-10 years out.) Will you band someone with autoimmune disorders? (This is a mixed bag...my personal experience is that having a foreign object in my body exacerbated my IBS) Do you screen for contraindications using EGD, esophageal manometry and upper GI? (These tests should be done to evaluate your ability to tolerate banding) If I have a hiatal hernia, what procedure do you use to repair it? What type of sutures do you use? (Nissen fundoplication and pledgeted sutures are never used in conjunction with bariatric surgery to repair existing hiatal hernia). As a final warning, recently there have been increasing reports of cardiac issues following banding...irregular heartbeat, arrhythmias, palpitations, etc. The heart and the esophagus lie sued by side in the chest. The vagus nerve(controls heart rate, breathing and GI tract) is also in the same area. Food retained in the esophagus puts pressure on the nerve and heart. This is not good. I'm posting this because although I lost over 100 lb while I had my band, I now have permanent esophageal damage, cardiac problems and I'm on additional medications to manage the complications caused by my band. I was compliant with diet and lifestyle changes. Part of the problem was that my hiatal hernia was repaired using a nissen fundoplication and pledgeted sutures. Also, upon removing my band it was found to be placed very high on the stomach. I didn't have esophageal manometry testing prior to my band placement. (My band doctor was recently named as one of Seattle's Best Bariatric Surgeons for 2013.) 3 years later I had 0% motility when tested. I never had swallowing problems before banding. I still have difficulty with many foods. Bands are a money maker for doctors who are still implanting them. They get paid to put them in, fill them, empty them and remove them, then revise their patients. Many reputable medical institutions will no longer implant a band and many who still do, consider it a short term device and remove within 2-3 years then revise to gastric sleeve before permanent damage is done. I thought the band was least invasive. I have 15 incisions on my belly I didn't have when I started this. 3 surgeries, dozens of diagnostic, invasive tests, $150,000 later and I don't have a WL tool. I have a cardiac condition I didn't have, esophageal dilation and achalasia + 3 new meds costing me $150/month out of pocket. Do your research and be open to hearing the "negative" along with the positive...it might save you from years of suffering.

Why on earth would a doctor recommend banding or sleeving a patient with gastroparesis??? With this condition, the stomach is literally paralyzed...

I haven't been on here for a while as I developed achalasia and gastroparesis over the last few months. I had my band removed and most of my symptoms have resolved. The pain is gone and though I'm still on soft foods, I can swallow again and it seems that food is getting to and thru my stomach. It was as if my digestive tract was paralyzed. After my manometry came back showing nearly no motility, the surgeon decided the band was the culprit. Apparently there was a lot of scar tissue under the band and around the top of the stomach and esophagus. The removed as much as they could, but any further surgery is too risky...no revision for me! I honestly wish I never got the band, but got the sleeve instead.