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Hello: I would look on this forum in the section called Lapband complications, there might be information there. The FDA states the band is good for at least 10-years and could last longer without complications. As far as studies, here are some links: However, the best research papers are in medical journals. Do a Google search for information. gastric banding research - Google Scholar Gastric Banding Reverses Impact Of Type 2 Diabetes

<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Clbenton%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS Mincho"; panose-1:2 2 6 9 4 2 5 8 3 4; mso-font-alt:"Arial Unicode MS"; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"@MS Mincho"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> Does anyone know how long the lap band is supposed to last? I know technically it is supposed to be permanent, but I also know that they are sometimes removed due to complications or the patient just not being able to tolerate the band. Have there been studies on the percentage of bands that are removed? Does anyone know where I can research this? <o:p> </o:p> I’m scheduled for Dec. 19^th, and I will be self-pay. I always knew that if something went wrong that I could have it removed, but I didn’t count on it costing the same to have it removed that it did to have it put in. If the chance that it will have to be removed one day is high, than I just don’t know if I can take that kind of financial risk. I had accepted the fact that I would have to pay for it and that my health is worth it, but the possiblity of having to pay the same amount to have it removed 5 or 6 years down the road feels incredibly scary. <o:p> </o:p> If anyone can tell me where I can research the rate of removal, I would really appreciate it. I'm going to post this in the complications board too. <o:p> </o:p> Thanks, PS

Hey there. I was banded nov 3rd of last year and yes I have had complications but I am hoping that everything is worth it in the end. You are the only one who knows if it is the right thing to do for you. Unfortunately, it is not as cut and dry as we'd like it to be. My process has been slow but I do know other people that have had no complications what so ever and yes lap banding is SOOOOO much safer as opposed to gastric bypass. The thing that sold me on lap band is that fact that I am only 24 and want to have kids someday and w/ the band since it is adjustable my dr can remove saline from it so that myself and the baby are getting all the nutrients we need and then after the baby the band can be filled. The down fall w/ the band is you are going to be spending a lot of time at the drs. Every 6-8 weeks i have to go back in for a fill or to see where I am at. This is only for the first year though and then I make the call as to when I need a fill. I don't know if this has helped at all but let me know if you have ?'s I'll help the best I can. Good luck in whatever decision you make.

I agree that it was meant to be. I started out thinking I was going to get the lap band as well. Luckily while I was doing research I ran across this website. I saw all the people who had to have their band removed due to complications. I also saw how great people did with their sleeve with few problems. I was also glad I didn't have to worry about fills and stuff like that. I think the band is good for some people but just not for me, especially not with my high bmi.

My first suggestion would be to google gastric bypass versus lap-band. I just did and there are a ton of articles comparing the two without having to rehash here. Then I would suggest scanning both kinds of forums like this and read about real life stories of people who have both. The down and dirty difference is: Gastric bypass gives faster results but the complication rate is higher and there is more of a chance of nutritional deficiencies. Lap band is slower weight loss but much less in the way of complications and you are able to get your nutrients better. Hope this helps and good luck with whichever method you decide on.

It sounds like you are eating too fast and/or taking too big of bites and/or not chewing well enough. Take bites the size of a pencil eraser. Chew until liquid in your mouth. Put your fork/spoon down between bites and wait a bit to see how its going down and how you feel before taking the next bite. Take at least a half hour to eat your 4-6 oz meal. Hope that helps. You should probably call your surgeon and nutritionist. What is happening with you can cause some pretty serious band complications.

Long story short, this would be for my mother who's had 2 surgeries on her lap band and it's still giving her complications. Many times that are life threatening. She's trying to go in again to get a surgery, but her most recent insurance is of course denying her on the ground that it was a pre-existing condition. Basically, 2-3 different doctors have done a very bad, incorrect job on the previous surgeries and now she is unable to get her problems fixed through her insurance company. Currently she is in/out of the hospital because she cannot eat or drink and her "levels" in her blood are so low, it's alarming. This is the first attempt I've made to reach out to a law office, and I'm really pretty new to all of this, but I was hoping some of you might know some good attorney's in TX that handle this sort of thing. I've found some attorney's on the internet but they are all out of state. I know there has got to be someone on here that's had some luck... She's in really bad shape and I'm worried that if we don't do something soon that it might be too late. These insurance companies/doctors are a nightmare... it's been one thing after another with my poor mom... almost 3 years ago, she lost her husband (my dad) to esophageal cancer who was the soul provider... she then moved from CA back to TX with her family to get back on her feet, where she was able to get a loan for a small house... well sure enough, hurricane Ike comes through and destroys it... no flood insurance coverage on the house... she got a little aid from FEMA which helped a bit... but now she's back at square one all over again, and now this is happening... talk about bad luck... I don't wish this on anyone... thanks for any help guys.... -Wes

Ok, yes! Be hard on yourself. WTF? Seriously. Call your surgeon and get a referral to your RD and to the bariatric counselor. Start therapy now. This may sound harsh? But you are 4 WEEKS post op! This is the "easiest" and the "hardest" you will ever have it and the time you will feel LEAST like eating in your entire journey. Cuz barring complications like it sounds like you're asking for, your restriction will get increasingly less and less as the months go by and you continue to heal and evolve. You either take care of your food/behavior problems now? Or you could be doomed to either never see goal, or regain. Tough? Fu*k yes. I am being tough and shocking. I hope it shocks you into getting a grip and getting real with your bad choices. It begs to be asked...Why did you have this life-changing surgery if you weren't ready to get serious about living a new life? Ask yourself, WHAT IS YOUR WHY? WHY did you want the surgery? WHY did you want a new lease on life? How important are YOU? How important is your marriage? Your LIFE? (Seriously one of the saddest posts I've ever read and I've read a bunch including a post-op eating pizza at 4 days.)

Hi, I was banded in Jan 19th, 2009. I was doing really good and lost 71lbs by my bandiversary, but I got sick. The weight lifting and exercising i was doing tightened my band by itself to the point I couldn't even get liquids down. In Jan this year my dr. unfilled my band so that we could start readjusting it. My life got complicated and I never went back in for the readjustment in Feb. I had noticed that some of my weight has came back on, so I made an appt to see my dr asap. I went Thursday 08/12/10 to get my fill. I found out i had put back on 41lbs of the 70 that i lost. I don't know how I let myself go backwards so much. Right now my dr has my band tightened so i can only get down my shakes, but I am already feeling like hope is lost. Has anyone gone through this? :cursing:

I thought i wanted the band to since ny sisterinlaw had problems but everyone is diff. And more and mire complications with the band so im having surgery next thursday . I had wait little while for insurance to approve rny after they approved band

Some surgeons offer complications insurance through BLIS (http://www.bliscompany.com/), including mine. It covers things like slippage, erosion, etc. I am considering getting it but it is very expensive. Is anyone else considering it, or paid for it? Shauna

I'm sorry to hear about your wife's band. I was under the impression that if your band eroded, you would NOT be a candidate to be re banded. I would think that whatever caused it to erode in the first place would happen again. CatLady: the band is designed to be permanent, but yes their is a percentage of people that develop complications like erosion or slippage and need a revision or removal. I hope that helps! Good luck.

so i got my band put on august 08, and then went for my first adjustment and they thought a fistula happend, because it looked like the liquid was going around my band, so i go in for surgery to fix it in october 08 and they take the fucking thing out because it eroded through my stomac. i was in the hospital for 4 days, it was fucked up and my liver was also stuck to my stomac, so after 6 monts of thinking it over i decide to get my band back on. i got it put back on may 21 09, so im hoping this time it works, just be careful and be aware of the risks and if you really want it and if its worth it, now i have 10 scars on my stomac from having surgery 3 times, what my luck.

Weight is NOT calories in calories out. Sorry! I say that with all due respect but metabolism is one of the most complicated things on earth. The same calorie foods may be digested differently- how they raise/lower blood sugar, cause cellular inflamation, contain Fiber, etc. That being said, its really easy to eat more than you record- an extra spoonful here, tast there. Be honest with yourself. Eat low glycemic, non processed foods and especially avoid sugar and bread of any kind. If you kept your exercise the same, change it. Your body adapts. You either need new type or higher intensity. M And as the above poster said, its possible to retain 5 lbs in Water. Best of luck!!!

If there were no urgent reason for a bypass, or a complicated hernia situation to consider, this would smell like the old bait-and -switch trick. Given that, I would think that the surgeon just simply has more experience with the bypass and is more confident in his/her surgical skills in that regard. Who knows? Maybe you will get a different answer. However, if the second surgeon also feels that a bypass would be a safer procedure and give you better long-term results, then that is probably the way to go. I went to the bariatric clinic expecting a lap-band and ended up with a sleeve.

I also posted this on the Pos-Op board, but I thought I should share it with my December friends, too. :biggrin: It's been two weeks since my surgery, and I have updates. I lost 20 pounds on my 2 week pre-op diet, and since then I've lost 14 pounds more. I've been absolutely fanatical about following all the rules of each stage of the diet. I want to succeed, and I especially don't want complications (slips, erosions, etc.) I know sometimes that's unavoidable, but at least I won't have any guilt if it happens. liquid Phase: After reading on these boards that many people gain weight before their first fill, I was deeply concerned that I would lose my progress. So on my liquid phase, after the first few days where I could only get down broth and tea, I stuck pretty much to my pre-op diet, not eating the vegetables of course, but adding in more Protein shakes, for a total of 800-1200 calories a day. I did not drink diluted juice even though it was "permitted," sticking instead to Protein Shakes and, two times, fat-free milk. Mushy Phase: I knew from reading these boards that a major pitfall for many bandsters is the mushy phase. Being that we're hungry and mushies go down easily, the calories can easily add up - many people understandably gain weight during this stage. I didn't want that to happen, so I was afraid to move forward to mushies - but I knew I should leave the liquid diet behind already. I was trying to solve the problem, when I decided that I could do mushies but I would have to keep track of what I was eating and how much. So, I joined Weight Watchers. Diets never worked for me for very long in the past, but I figured the 3.5 week liquid diet should have shrunk my stomach a bit, and knowing I have a fill coming makes it mentally easier to hang on and not go off plan. Before surgery I didn't think I'd care if I gained a little before my fills, but now I do. I've lost 34 pounds in 4 weeks, and I just don't want to go back. I've been sticking like glue to the plan. I weigh and measure everything before I put it in the food prcessor, and I track it online as soon as I've eaten it. I eat mostly low point foods, but I've also splurged on higher point items - did you know you can process french fries? To make them mushy I mixed in some Soup, which I also have to count points for, but they still tasted like french fries, and were worth every point LOL! I've also pureed pizza with a little extra sauce - it doesn't taste like pizza by the time you add the sauce in, but it was fun. Mostly, though, I stick to low point foods: sugarfree pudding, fatfree yogurt, scrambled egg whites with fatfree salsa (pureed), boiled vegetables (pureed), unsweetened applesauce, etc. I also eat whatever my family is having for supper, measured out and pureed. All in all, I've lost 14 pounds since surgery. Anyway, that's where I'm holding now. I have my first fill next month, and I'm terrified. I hope it won't be too painful! Anyway, that's the update. Good luck to everyone on this journey!

I was banded just two weeks ago on 1/26/11. Have had no complications, minimal pain, and a pretty easy time of things thus far. On mushy food diet. When I started investigating WLS I decided early on that RNY was not for me because I didn't like the idea of malabsorption and intestinal re-routing. I had never heard of VSG prior to surgery, and saw only one brief mention of it in literature in my surgeon's office. I asked about it but was told that it wasn't available on the east coast and still considered experimental. I did no research on it. I did a significant amount of research on the Lap-Band prior to surgery. Now, of course, as I continue to troll the blogs and forums, I'm reading more about VSG and am deeply concerned that I've made a mistake. VSG sounds as though it offers all of the benefits of RNY without the challenges of intestinal rerouting. Does anyone have any thoughts? My big concern is that I read someone's post today who said that her surgeon told her that LapBand is on the way out, as VSG is a better surgery with better results. Comments would be really, really helpful to me. Any information that anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks.

Good Morning. It's Saturday and my surgery went well, no complications. Last night was rough, I couldn't sleep to well, the medicine they gave me made me itch and, as in most hospitals, as soon as I did doze off, someone came in for one thing or another. But this morning I feel great. No pain, passing gas, and walking frequently. Doc just told me I can start sipping water. Yea!! So as I'm typing this, I'm sipping and watching Love Boat on american TV. It's a good thing I brought my computer and some books. LOL. Today I met with Vegas Angel and her hubby Bearded Italian. He's getting ready for surgery this morning. RoseyandMusic and I met Thursday, and had dinner together. I'll talk to her this morning and see how she's doing. Gotta go, I'll post more later.

:crying:I was banded in 2005 had the band removed in 2008 due to a problem with the fills and then a few months later had another band put in. At that point i had a bunch of complications, had to have the port removed. I now have a port and had a fill about 4 weeks ago. My problem is that I seem to have forgotten the basicis. I have pretty good restriction, cannot seem to get my head to follow my stomach. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

My sister had a Bypass, I got a band many years later. She had severe complications which resulted in about 5 surgeries to try to fix and almost died because of the complications. She is thankful she did have the surgery, however they do repipe your insides which if you eat things with too much sugar or something that doesn't agree with you then it can cause "Dumping"syndrome which is a massive case of diarrhea and it just comes out, or at least it did in her case. She also is not supposed to eat various foods, corn, sodas, and some other things too. It alters the absorption of both foods and medications, now when she has to be medicated it takes a Horse's dose for her to feel anything. Having the band, alot of people can eat whatever they want but you are restricted on the amounts. There are some that cannot eat certain foods, but for every one person who cannot eat something the other 10 seem to be able to. It also does not alter the absorption of medication or nutrients in your food. There is no repiping of your insides, it is just restricted which can be reversed if needed. She also after a huge depression issues overdosed on a medication intentionally. With the bypass they are unable to pump your stomach in this situation. The Gin she washed down the pills with is what saved her life because that somehow kicked her liver into overdrive to help her body burn through the medication. However she was OUT for several days. I will add that this was after the death of our Dad, her fiance cheating on her and dumping her in the hospital on two occasions (what a winner huh) and being told she would never be able to have children because she couldn't have babies. I will also note that she has son that will turn 5 in October!! With a band they can remove the Fluid in order to get to the stomach in case they need to pump the stomach.. however.. hopefully NObody needs this info.

I had band to bypass revision on 3/28. I had my band removed on 12/17 due to complications. I had no problem getting approved, just had to stay above BMI requirements, which wasn't a problem around the holidays, lol. Good luck! Sent from my LG-H631 using the BariatricPal App

If you've done your research then you probably know which one 'fits' you best. Good luck with the decision, I know the LB isn't for everyone. My reasons for the LB over RNY: - Safer surgery - Unfill at any point needed and Reversible if needed for other health reasons - Less complications (dumping, hair loss, etc.) - Slower weight loss (easier to explain when you're not 'telling' others, and easier to get proper nutrition) - Continued interaction/accountability to the surgeon (ie. I had to sign that I would continue seeing my surgeon for 5 yrs. post-op, he covers 6 fills as part of the package so it's not for more $, he wants you to be successful long-term) - Continued adjustments to stoma for life (RNY- can stretch the stoma, some need revision surgery) - I need portion control, not reactions to bad foods. I already know I can diet successfully so I'm not worried about counting calories etc. (I don't think I need the malabsorption). If you haven't found it yet, there's an RNY/Other surgery group on LBT HERE. You might want to ask the RNY'ers why they chose (there's a group there that went from Band to RNY). Good luck! -BG

I had DS surgery June 12 and felt slight soreness, nothing unusual, felt ready to 24 hours laterPOD 1...then it hit with a ton of bricks, POD 2, excruciating pain, high heart rate and inability to walk.. had a cat scan it was negative for leak... POD3my surgeon wasn’t convinced and Wanted too keep me to see how I was feeling wasn’t quite up to par but pain controlled still walking, every 3 hours slow but steady..POD4 woke up with fever103.9 and heart in 120’s. Plan was exploratory lap 2 hours later, came out of OR with 3 drains and a NGT to decompress stomach and a PCA..for pain control, he found a teeny tiny leak, restitched it and covered with muscle. Washed the cavity hence the drains. Now on antibiotics and fluids...And another week here in the hospital. The upside I have a great team of nurses and docs at a nationally accredited metabolic and Bariatric center... I’m getting awesome care. I read so much research studies and articles prior to the DS I knew the switch has more complications but greater results! The benefits outweigh the risks .... peace and live my bench buddies !

I know this is prolly a stupid question but.... is it ok to have the surgery when you are on your period? Ive got mine and was just wondering if it will cause any complications during or after surgery. thanks:help:

I had my Lap Band surgery Nov 28th. Jan 10th I had my first 2oz fill. Jan 14th I was rushed to the emergency room due to having seizures. Jan 16th I had the fill taken out. As of today I am taking medication to give me some relief between the times I have a seizure and am under going test. My blood work is fine, my urine test was fine and also the CAT Scan was fine. I just had a 11 hour EEG and a EchoCardioGram. The Dr that put in my fill does not feel like the fill had anything to do with what I am experiencing. Has anyone experienced anything like this with their fill? The Dr that did my surgery did not at the time do the fills. After my surgery his techs. did get trained to do them so they are new at this. At the time of my fill the tech could not locate the port and stuck me about 4 times. He had to use a longer needle in order to reach the port. If the test shows no seizure activity in my brain I am just wondering if there could have been any nerve damage in the fill process. It was very uncomfortable, not painful, but it felt very strange like you would think a balloon being twisted to make 2 pieces. Any information you can share will be appreciated. Thanks Maranda