KristeyK

I'll be having mine out on August 24th. I've talked to others and they said it wasn't any worse than having it put in. One gal is six months out and she's already down 120lbs, and only 5lbs from her goal. That's WAY closer than she (or I) EVER got with the band. I think I can deal with some pain for those results. And if you look at the long term results in general, the VSG is more successful.

Oddly enough, I didn't post it for those of you having no issues. I did it so that... 1) Those of us having a laundry list of complications know that we're not insane. 2) People that are considering this surgery know more than the "rah, rah, rah" stories. As with any surgery, there are complications...they should be more easily found than what they are. And what are the chances of success 5 years down the road, 10 years, 15 years??? Those who ARE having success need to know that once they reach goal and maintain for a couple years, they can't let their guard down. It's FOREVER and these numbers prove it.

Elcee...trust me, I started out doing EVERYTHING right by this stupid band. It was when my complication arose that I had to start eating around it, now I cannot eat ANYTHING. Some of us just really and truly are NOT a good match. And when you read the long term for this vs other WLS... And as a future RN...lol...yes...I have done my homework. I know more about med side effects than I ever cared to know, because I have to know how to treat them. I can also say I have taken care of a couple people who have had complications from their WLS surgeries. I see them at our support group and they still don't regret the decision. Read my signature...people who have issues with the band are not lazy, uninformed idiots. Nor do we deserve a condescending attitude. *I* did not fail this band, it has failed ME. I have struggled VERY HARD to not gain back what little weight I lost since I've gotten it. (Something that is NOT difficult right now because I cannot eat, and have to exercise to have ANY energy to get me through my 12 hour days 3 times a week at the hospital, much less class and study time.) I know what is best for ME, just as the OP knows what is best for HER, just as anyone else would do what is best for THEM. Attitudes such as "you just didn't do good enough" only hurt...it's not helpful at all. Are you like this in your support group meetings?????

Do you happen to have a support group in your area you can attend? It's how I made the decision to go on ahead and get my band revised. (Hopefully the group you find, if you're able to, is as wonderful and supportive as the one I attend.) The people that are there have had EVERY version of WLS performed on them. I was leaning more toward going for the Roux-en-Y procedure, but after talking to others in the support group, along with my surgeon, I decided that the sleeve would be best in the long run. I wish you the best of luck!!!

I could have written your post myself. I was banded in 2008, and did OK for about a year...then the problems started in earnest. I've been completely unfilled for two weeks now and am STILL vomiting on a near daily basis. Most days I cannot handle actual food, and some days, such as today, I can't even keep down a Protein drink! (I dare not drink shakes anymore...I have to have the things made with Water. GAH! Something with TEXTURE would be nice!!!) I'm glad to read there really are people that are successful with this but I want to point out something on LAP-BAND's own website: "Patients can experience complications after surgery. Most complications are not serious but some may require hospitalization and/or re-operation. In the United States clinical study, with3-year follow-up reported, 88% of the 299 patients had one or more adverse events, ranging from mild, moderate, to severe. Nausea and vomiting (51%), gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) (34%), band slippage/pouch dilatation (24%) and stoma obstruction (stomach-band outlet blockage) (14%) were the most common post-operative complications. In the study, 25% of the patients had their band systems removed, two-thirds of which were following adverse events. Esophageal dilatation or dysmotility (poor esophageal function) occurred in 11% of patients, the long-term effects of which are currently unknown. Constipation, diarrhea and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) occurred in 9% of the patients. In 9% of the patients, a second surgery was needed to fix a problem with the band or initial surgery. In 9% of the patients, there was an additional procedure to fix a leaking or twisted access port. The access port design has been improved. Four out of 299 patients (1.3%) had their bands erode into their stomachs. These bands needed to be removed in a second operation. Surgical techniques have evolved to reduce slippage. Surgeons with more laparoscopic experience and more experience with these procedures report fewer complications." (Can be read in its entirety here: http://www.lapband.com/en/learn_about_lapband/safety_information//) That say a LOT to me. I did do some of my homework before getting this, but if I had TRULY done it as well as I do for my schooling, I would have just gone for the sleeve. Even my own surgeon tried to talk me OUT of the band. Says a lot to me and I wish I had listened to him the first time around. (He'll hopefully be doing my revision here in August!) Good luck to you!

Gastric Banding Gets Low Marks... http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ASMBS/20919

I've been living with these God awful spasms for over two years now. Doesn't matter how much is in my band, what I eat or drink, how fast or slow I eat it, it's there. I vomit just about every single day. I burn whether I take Prilosec, Kapidex, Tums, Pepto...I truly worry about what this will mean for me down the road. (Luckily, I am in the process of getting insurance authorization for the band to sleeve revision.) Three years of having this thing, less than 40lbs lost, and also now cannot actually EAT anything if I am leaving the house within an hour. Heck, some days I can't even keep down a Protein drink. GRRR!!! (Today is such a day...water and Gatorade....YUM...NOT. lol) Just PLEASE, keep up on those spasms. If you're having reflux issues, I say DOUBLE your efforts and keep up on the swallows and EGDs. That much acid is NOT good for your esophagus. http://www.formerlyfluffy.com/lap-band-and-realize-band-do-your-research/ http://www.formerlyfluffy.com/lisa-sargese-gastric-band-nightmare/ http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ASMBS/20919

OMG...that's terrible!!! I hope this ablation procedure works for you. In one of my nursing classes last semester we learned about Barrett's esophagus, and I wondered whether or not the constant burning from the band could cause this. :-( I'll say a prayer for you!

GO FOR THE SLEEVE!!! I made the mistake of not listening to my surgeon. Now, three years later after dealing with TOO many complications, he will be revising me to a sleeve. If I had known what I did three years ago, the Lap Band would have been the scarier route for me to go and I would have chosen the sleeve.

Woohoo!!! Just a few more weeks! Color me green with envy! Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Good for you!!! Glad you're getting to get it out. I wish that the availability of the problems with this danged thing were more available four years ago. (Because that means I would have also been able to find it three years ago. GRR!) When is your surgery date?

Say a prayer, send some good vibes, juju, or whatever you believe in. My surgeon's office submitted to my insurance company for authorization for a revision to VSG today!!!!

It really depends on your insurance. You can call and they'll be able to tell you what you need to do, as would a surgeon's office. I have United Healthcare for the Railroad, and I wouldn't have had to do ANYTHING other than call and make an appt for the surgeon, and they would have done a few typical preop screens to get it removed. (I'm getting a revision to a sleeve though, so I have to do everything all over again.) GOOD LUCK!

I'm with Dr. Pleatman, get something else, even the sleeve. I wish I had done more research prior to having this stupid band placed. I know which study he is talking about, as I saw it doing a research paper for a healthcare class about 4 months ago. (I'd post the link, but unfortunately said paper is stuck on my old laptop that died on me.) I would ESPECIALLY think twice about it if you have any kind of metabolic issues, like Syndrome X or PCOS. You will have 10x the challenge of losing weight with a metabolic disorder than others who do not. If you really and truly feel it is for you, I say GO FOR IT and congratulations!!! However, do more than read here like I did.:thumbup: