Baba Wawa

Most of them are from sites like this and are just opinions...

Yes I know what it is...looking for links as to the CAUSES. Thanks though.

I went 15 months without "complications". My history with the band is documented in my blog and visible to all. You can mess your band up by overeating, causing yourself to vomit, taking NSAIDs. You can fail to lose by eating around your band, eating slider foods, Cookies, chips crackers. BUT, and it's a very big BUT (no pun intended) you can do EVERYTHING right and still have complications and/or failure to lose. There are so many variables to the band equation (surgeons, PAs, individual anatomy, conditions, diseases, etc) that affect your ability to lose weight with the band and keep it off.
ID like to also point out that while posting about complications is regarded as some as "negative", "complaining" or "bashing", those of us who have done so are either looking for others who've had similar issues to help resolve our problems or to make newbies aware that these things can happen and help others recognize them early on to avoid much bigger problems. In no way is sharing ones experience honestly, intended to be a negative, complaining, bashing post by most people.
I want to add that the risk of complications is found at http://www.lapband.com/hcp/en/risk_information/
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, with 3-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.

That looks like retained food. I've been doing this for a while and coughed up grey pieces of old food...nasty. Get your band checked out ASAP.

Why are you depending on friends and hubby to get your a** to the gym? Just go! There's people there who are better able to guide and support you in getting fit.

Why are you depending on friends and hubby to get your a** to the gym? Just go! There's people there who are better able to guide and support you in getting fit.

Call your doctor please. This could be very easy to fix, little unfill, or a sign of something more serious, like a slip. Please post again to let us know you're ok

Getting stuck and sliming is not something that should happen frequently. It could mean you're too tight (need a bit of fill removed), not cutting food small enough, eating too fast, or as in my case, your stomach has developed scar tissue under the band creating tightness even without a fill. If you're having frequent episodes you should see your band doctor.

I would do it, but expect to revise at some point. The bigger problem is that I most likely cannot revise due to damage from my band. Given the same options at the same time, yes. Today, no. I would choose VSG.

I would do it, but expect to revise at some point. The bigger problem is that I most likely cannot revise due to damage from my band. Given the same options at the same time, yes. Today, no. I would choose VSG.

I went 15 months without "complications". My history with the band is documented in my blog and visible to all. You can mess your band up by overeating, causing yourself to vomit, taking NSAIDs. You can fail to lose by eating around your band, eating slider foods, Cookies, chips crackers. BUT, and it's a very big BUT (no pun intended) you can do EVERYTHING right and still have complications and/or failure to lose. There are so many variables to the band equation (surgeons, PAs, individual anatomy, conditions, diseases, etc) that affect your ability to lose weight with the band and keep it off.
ID like to also point out that while posting about complications is regarded as some as "negative", "complaining" or "bashing", those of us who have done so are either looking for others who've had similar issues to help resolve our problems or to make newbies aware that these things can happen and help others recognize them early on to avoid much bigger problems. In no way is sharing ones experience honestly, intended to be a negative, complaining, bashing post by most people.
I want to add that the risk of complications is found at http://www.lapband.com/hcp/en/risk_information/
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, with 3-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.

I use a product called "Dimmers", believe it or not, my 21 yr old granddaughter bought them for me. They work in any bra and keep the "high beams" from shining:)

I got my band at age 60. Prior to deciding on banding I tried hypnosis, which helped me to lose a whopping 9 lb, which I regained. My all time high weight was 290. I'm now about 209, so have lost 81 lb with my band, but it has been slow going. The first year, I lost about 60 lb, maintained for a year and started losing again after having my band unfilled in June. One thing I can say is that I have a very different outlook on food and eating. It's about getting my Protein in, avoiding troublesome foods and babying my stomach. I have developed scar tissue under the band, around my stomach, so am very restricted. I only had 3.5cc in my 11 cc band, so was not overly focused on fills...I had two. 3cc at 3 months post op and .5cc at 9 months post op. I'm currently having issues with reflux, so taking a PPI first thing in the morning and mid afternoon on an empty stomach, which is helping me. VSG is a great option for many over 60, since there's no bypass involved and no follow up. Should I revise, it will be to VSG. I'm grateful for the weight loss, but concerned that I might have to have another surgery. Good luck to you!

I use a product called "Dimmers", believe it or not, my 21 yr old granddaughter bought them for me. They work in any bra and keep the "high beams" from shining:)

I wouldn't count calories, per se. Follow your band food plan, let the calories take care if themselves.
1/2 cup meal, including 3-4 oz dense, lean Protein, the rest low carb veggies. You can snack on string cheese, NF Greek yogurt ranch and raw veggies.
I would count protein grams (60-80 per day) and avoid white carbs and processed food. You will lose doing this.
Hang in there...I've lost with my band 100% empty for 10 months.

Your dad isn't an ass, he's scared of losing the old you, his food buddy. Tell him that you are inside that obese body, unhappy with your physical self, but you'll always be his loving daughter. Forgive him for being insensitive. It takes time.
George Takei posted this on Facebook recently: You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.
Your soul loves your father, that's not changing.

This is your journey, not his. You're example could help him to develop a healthier lifestyle.
I live in an 8 person household...everyone was overweight except my hubby. Everyone is on low carb now because they saw the difference in me and my dietary habits, it's contagious, but has a long incubation period, lol. Keep it up, you'll do great!

Your dad isn't an ass, he's scared of losing the old you, his food buddy. Tell him that you are inside that obese body, unhappy with your physical self, but you'll always be his loving daughter. Forgive him for being insensitive. It takes time.
George Takei posted this on Facebook recently: You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.
Your soul loves your father, that's not changing.

I copied and pasted, below, some of my early posts from the first few months after band surgery. I was so enthusiastic and on board with my new lifestyle. I was fully committed to learning everything I needed to know in order to succeed. I did not want to hear anything from anyone who was saying their band didn't work out. There were people who posted that they followed band rules and lost their band due to slips, erosion or esophageal dilation. I countered that very few complications are band caused. I suggested that perhaps they over ate, ate too fast...you get the picture. I was wrong to do that.
It's true that early in our band journey we NEED to hear positive reinforcement that we made the "right" decision. That's why you won't see me post negative information on a post from someone who is doing well, newly banded or had decided to band and isn't asking for help deciding.
If I posted in a way that seemed insensitive or overtly negative anywhere but on the complications forum, I apologize. I try to avoid that, but I'm human. I believed, as many of you do, that if I did all the right things, I'd keep my band for the rest of my life. I cannot convey the disappointment and even grief I'm feeling over the impending loss of my band. I'm also feeling a lot of anxiety about post removal. That might be bleeding thru in my posts. I'm in constant discomfort, unable to eat much of anything and generally not feeling very well at the moment.
My point in this post is to encourage everyone who has WLS to listen, sympathize and file away posts about band complications. As I've stated in more than one post, the information might help you save your band one day. I don't want to scare anyone. I just want to share my experience within a community that might benefit from it one day.
Don't be afraid to read my message. It can't hurt you.
This was 2 months post op:
Tonight I am going to a play with friends...I subscribe and we go out about every two months Nov-July. Yesterday I figured I should try on some of my smaller (size 24) clothes to see what I should wear. NONE OF THEM FIT! THEY ARE ALL TOO BIG! I am between a 20-22 so all the 24-26 and 3x are going to the donation pile or to my ebay collection. I went to the Talbot's outlet and bought two pairs of 22 WP shorts, very nice for $27 including tax. I now have one pair of jeans, a pair of capris and two shorts that I can wear.
We always go to Maui in October and was trying on my dresses that I take with me and got into some of my Blue Ginger dresses I haven't been able to wear for a long time...some of the others are way too big....
Any way enough rambling on! Happy day for me!
My first fill:
I got my first fill today and it went very well...no pain and so far so good with Water. I lost 5 lb in almost 5 weeks and due to travel plans in September and October opted to go ahead and get it now.
My surgeon's office does them under flouro and it took about 10 min to do...port was flat on the abdominal wall and very easy to access. It did feel weird as she was numbing me up, but other than that couldn't feel it. I am hoping to up my loss to about 1.75 lb per week or 7-8 lbs per month with this fill...
whew...glad to have that under my belt!
A post on accountability:
This morning it occurred to me that I have not lost any weight since the 30th of August. My first impulse was to post something on the forum regarding a stall, frustrated, etc, but then I got to thinking about it HONESTLY. I have not logged my food since the middle of July! I looked back and I remember thinking that this is so easy, I don't have to log every bite! WRONG! I lost consistently (even without a fill) 1-1.5 lbs per week while logging. Since I stopped logging I have lost a total of 6 lbs in 6 weeks, but nothing for the last two weeks. I don't think I am eating as much as I am burning, but how do I know??? This could be the 20% stall, but without documentation of my intake, I cannot really tell. My highest weight was 290 about 2 years ago. 20% of 290 is 58 and I am down 51 lbs from that weight so it is close enough to be called that, but most likely it is what I am eating, rather than how much.
I have been eating more carbs...
There have been numerous social events, so I have been drinking a bit of wine...
And I have had some dessert...
here and there...
So now I recommit to journalling my food intake so I can assess why I am stalled and what to do to change it WITH SOME CERTAINTY....
I have lost an inch or so since the stall started, so it isn't really a stall, but a great opportunity to refocus my efforts towards meeting my goal of 1.5 lbs per week on average.
I do have restriction and I need to do a better job of utilizing it to my advantage.
Me, defending the band:
Many folks who are anti-band will use a study that was published in 2003 and followed lap-band patients from 1997-2002...that would be like car and driver only reviewing cars made from 1920-1970 and holding them to today's standards of road-worthiness...
The bands in use today are much more "user-friendly" and the surgeons who "install" them know a lot more about the causes of complications like those cited in the early study and MOST complications are caused by overstuffing the pouch and eating around the band (grazing, sliders etc) as well as over zealous docs who overfill bands.
Go to the WLS failure forum, complications forum or regrets forum and read about the issues the people who have chosen many different surgeries experience, then you can be satisfied with your decision, whatever it may be.
I also question why certain individuals feel the need to hang out here and tout their surgery. If they were as knowledgeable as they claim, they would be publishing a book on their surgery, pointing out the benefits vs the risks, and it would speak for itself.
Here is an example of a study on VSG and it's failure rate...I found this doing a quick search and now it is out there and will be quoted by the VSG haters to support their position....
The exact failure rate of sleeve gastrectomy is unknown. Using the Spanish National Registry for bariatric surgery, Sanchez-Santos et al[7] reviewed 540 patients who had undergone SG either as a primary or staged procedure over a six-year period. The authors reported excellent overall outcomes; however, 15 percent of the subjects were considered failures based on weight recidivism in the first three years, with 3.3 percent of patients submitting to a second bariatric procedure. Younger age, lower body mass index (BMI), and thinner bougie size were attributed to improved sustainable outcomes. Similarly, Himpens, in an article by Deitel et al,[8] presented his early five-year results after sleeve gastrectomy at the First International Consensus Summit for Sleeve Gastrectomy in 2007. In 46 such patients, he reported a disappointing 37 and 23 percent inadequate weight loss and second procedure rates, respectively.
More recent unpublished presentations by Himpens indicate failure rates as high as 30 percent in five years.[9] Studying the Austrian experience with SG as a stand-alone operation, Felberbauer et al[10] reported a seven-percent failure rate at three years based on a cutoff of 25 percent excess weight loss (EWL). Applying the traditional 50-percent EWL criteria, the failure rate increased to 25 percent.[10]
Me supporting a struggling poster:
Good for you Tanya....that is why the forums are here, to share and hopefully keep us from getting too complacent and not utilizing our chosen tool. The side note that I have been meaning to post since the day after I wrote this is that though I haven't lost pounds, I have lost a full size, so it isn't about just the weight.
Perhaps it is time for a fill or a talk with your nutritionist to help you to get back on track...
Congratulations on your recommittal and I will look for you to post your success!!
This was me the first year. I was afraid to hear what might go wrong, just like many others. This is a support site for ALL banded people, not just those who don't have complications. Seeing the words can't hurt you, but ignoring signs of trouble can.
Just an FYI to those who keep calling me a "basher", "full of bs as usual", "100% incorrect"...every time you call me a name, I will respond politely. I will also continue to post. I don't back down when attacked, but I refuse to attack back.

This is your journey, not his. You're example could help him to develop a healthier lifestyle.
I live in an 8 person household...everyone was overweight except my hubby. Everyone is on low carb now because they saw the difference in me and my dietary habits, it's contagious, but has a long incubation period, lol. Keep it up, you'll do great!

Your dad isn't an ass, he's scared of losing the old you, his food buddy. Tell him that you are inside that obese body, unhappy with your physical self, but you'll always be his loving daughter. Forgive him for being insensitive. It takes time.
George Takei posted this on Facebook recently: You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.
Your soul loves your father, that's not changing.

IMHO not drinking while eating contributes to the build up of pressure on the GEJ, contributing to esophageal problems.
Why?
1) pouch holds 1-2 oz
2) meals should be 4-8 oz (per most doctors)
3) even eating slowly, more than 1-2 oz will be in the pouch during meals. There's no way to monitor the rate at which food passes thru, since there are so many variables in anatomy, bands, types of food, etc.
4) drinking a small amount of Water with meals helps food to clear the stoma and doesn't really diminish satiety. This at least, is the belief of bariatricians in Europe and Austrailia.
The pressure on the GEJ leads to nerve damage, leading to motility issues that can worsen when the pressure is relieved, there's no "study" to confirm this, but is a growing consensus within the WLS community. Just so you know, my doctors and the doctors of people I know with this type of issues are all saying this...I didn't make it up, lol.

I think she was scared away...

I get that you might think she's a troll, but wouldn't it make sense to assume otherwise and ask a few questions? I came here less than a year ago BECAUSE I was having problems and looking for some answers/empathy and got jumped on too...
The other thing is the general consensus on this site seems to be that most, if not all, Lapband complications are self-induced! That's just unbelievable. I'm not saying some aren't, but the vast majority of the people I know are having similar problems and were very compliant, did their research, etc. Hundreds of people cannot all be wrong. It's cruel and unkind to tell someone who, just like you, was heavily invested (time, money and especially emotionally invested) in a process and device they thought would help them finally succeed at permanent weight loss, that they failed their device...just cruel.
I thought like many of you here think....I was very wrong.

I would like each of you who called the OP ignorant, arrogant, ill-informed, troll or any other negative to ask yourself "...what if this person is truly at a difficult place, the end of her rope and asking for one kind word and what I say here can make a positive difference or lead to her being more miserable?" Where is your heart, empathy and humanity? Ask questions before you judge. This poster is NOT who you all seem to think she is....I know NicM from OH and this isn't her. BTW OH is a forum that encompasses all surgery types, not just lapband. The lapband forum over there is pretty much dead due to overmoderation. The Failed Lapband and Realize Band groups on OH and FB are very active...interesting isn't it?