So I have been reading through a lot of posts and see that slippage and erosion are possibly more commen than I thought. The stats say like 1%....but is it just me or does it seem like 90% of peeople have issues of some sort???

i thought that too...and i talked to my hubby about it...and we came to this thought (i really hope people dont get mad at me about this)

but people like to complain...a lot...and i think that this is a place where people can come and complain about what went wrong and be understood and have people be sympathetic towards them...

i am going to believe for every person that posts about a complication i fully believe there are ten more who dont post anything...

thats just my two cents

I certainly hope you are right. I was just banded last friday and the more I read, the more nervous I get!!

i was banded last thursday...we're almost bandster twins...haha

I am lucky enough to have an amazing doctor who has an equally amazing support staff...and i have asked all these questions about everything that i have read on theses boards. one thing my doctor said to me was...if i follow all of his guidlines to a T...i will lose weight, and i wont have any problems...now i understand sometimes the flu creeps up on you and you can have some major damage from vomitting...but my doctor does not fill you very tight. he says he has found that the tighter your band is the more problems you will have ie, erosion, slippage, vommiting etc.

I love getting pedicures, and you hear about people getting fungus and diseases from getting pedicures all the time...do you think this stops me from partaking in my favorite form of relaxations? nope! i look at the band the same way :laugh:

Dont let the bad experiences from other people get you down! Those are THEIR journey's...and this is YOURS!

GOOD LUCK!!!!:smile2:

ps..are you still on your post op liquid diet? i cannot wait to have something more solid!

I am on my liquid diet for 2 weeks after surgery. I am looking forward to something decent to eat besides a crappy shake. I almost caved last night to a small pudding, but it is not on my approved list. I licked the spoon, it tasted great, and then thought to myself....what was I doing. Even though some people are okay with pudding this soon after surgery, I did not want to chance it, and wanted to make sure I follow the doctors directions to as "T"!!

Hey! I was starting to think the same thing. I almost talked myself out of the band just because of what I was reading. When I went in for my preop labs, etc. I was talking the nurse about it and she told me something very pertinent to all of us. She said that most of us if we do what we are suppose to do will be out in the world happily living our new lives and only checking in from time to time for updates on this site. That completely changed the way I view a lot of these posts. I think they much of it is really nice though, jsut knowing that there are other people in our boat. I was banded on the 12th and so far so good (except the coffee thing - I can't get that under control). Have a great three day weekend!

Most people that have had the realize band have not slipped. Actually I am the only documented slippage from the realize band in my large practice. I have done everything right, but sometimes slippage sometimes happens. The band is in my opinion is still relatively new the doctors seem to be learning about new things about it by the minute.

I am 5 days post-op. Could do without all the burping! My surgeon does this thing where he folds the stomach over the band and stitches it, like elastic in a waistband....have you guys heard of this? I'm not sure if it's unusual or common, but he said it helps with slipping.

My surgeon does this thing where he folds the stomach over the band and stitches it, like elastic in a waistband....have you guys heard of this? I'm not sure if it's unusual or common, but he said it helps with slipping.

My surgery was done the exact same way and was given the same explanation. Fine with me, whatever helps!

I think you ladies are correct. For every one person that has slippage, there are 100 that have successfull outcomes. its like anything else in life. We seem to be hearing alot about these issues, erosion, slippage, reflux...I do remember signing a paper that said these were possible complications. I love my band even though i have only had it since december...I have lost 40 lbs which i could not do before. If for some reason my band does slip or erode into my fundus(stomach), I can guaranttee you, I will have it replaced in a minute......onenuttynurse

I am 5 days post-op. Could do without all the burping! My surgeon does this thing where he folds the stomach over the band and stitches it, like elastic in a waistband....have you guys heard of this? I'm not sure if it's unusual or common, but he said it helps with slipping.

Yes, my surgeon does the same thing. It supposedly does reduce the chance of slippage significantly. I think it is becomming more common, but anyone who is not banded yet should ask their surgeon if he/she uses this technique. Knowing what I know now, I would not get banded by a surgeon who does not do this technique and is very experienced w/it. Of course, when I originally picked my surgeon, I didn't even know to ask this question. I just lucked out.

My Dr. uses that technique too. I have to admit I am glad this thread is continuing in a more positive light. I am 2 weeks out of surgery and today while waiting on my post op appointment. A lady came into the waiting room spreading the horrors of her band and talking about how she is switching to bypass. *sigh* I am trying to stay positive, because I think has been great so far :smile2:

Sydney

Most people that have had the realize band have not slipped. Actually I am the only documented slippage from the realize band in my large practice. I have done everything right, but sometimes slippage sometimes happens. The band is in my opinion is still relatively new the doctors seem to be learning about new things about it by the minute.

My Dr. has said the same thing to me. He had more patients that had slippage with the Lapband than the Realize band, although there were still very few patients that had slippage overall.

He also folded my stomach over the band and stitched it down.

I really hope that it doesn't ever slip. I asked a lot of questions about that before surgery because I have a very sensitive gag reflex. I have been known to throw up over and over just due to post-nasal drip!

The Dr. told me that as long as you weren't violently ill for days, chances of slippage were very, very slim.

Mary

My Dr. uses that technique too. I have to admit I am glad this thread is continuing in a more positive light. I am 2 weeks out of surgery and today while waiting on my post op appointment. A lady came into the waiting room spreading the horrors of her band and talking about how she is switching to bypass. *sigh* I am trying to stay positive, because I think has been great so far

Sydney

I slipped 2 times and had my band replaced. Bottom line is I have no regrets!

Like other posters have said, I truly believe that for every complaint you hear, there are many more people out there with positive experiences.

I went through this when I had LASIK done in 2006. I read all the horror stories and almost talked myself out of it. But then I talked to a few people and realized something.

When you go to a restaurant, if you have good service, food, etc, you generally don't say much and go about your business, happy that you had a good dinner. But if you have bad service you're more likely to complain to the waiter, fill out a comment card, and then tell all your friends about your horrible experience.

Misery loves company.

HTH!

PS - I don't regret my LASIK surgery one bit!

Another thought on slippage. I just seen my surgeon thinking my gallbladder was kaput and when the HIDA Scan showed that things were working I was sent for an esophogram. I asked my surgeon how my band could have slipped without having hardly any difficulty in the last 6 months other than some "foaming". His answer, that I have lost a 100lbs and just like the outside of my body has lost fat, that my band could be loose because I lost fat around my STOMACH. I know long-winded but a postive reason for a "slip"

Don't know yet how things are going to proceed since my surgeon is out of town (it's summer!) and the Dr who did the esophogram told me it had in fact, slipped.