So I am so close to finishing up all my tests and everything that needs to be done to get my surgery date. Today I found out that a friend of a friend died from conplications of her lapband. My aunt and grandma and reallly hesistant about me doing this. They want me to have a talk with them tonight and tell them why I want this and why I can't just eat healthy and exercise without the band. Idk what to say....

i was never given the details unfortunately. (and really don't have a way of finding out because the person we know told someone who told us. ) i don't think anyone was suppose to know but we found out. i just heard that she had complications with her LAP-BAND® and died in her sleep. i am sure there were other factors involved. sorry for not clarifying.

check this out..

Lap-Band vs. Gastric Bypass

as awful as this may sound...i was more upset because the day the lady died, was the day i had planned to tell my family that i wanted to get the lap band. i was worried that this would hinder my chances of getting support from my family (as awful as this may sound) ofcourse it's sad that she died, but i agree, she could have died of a heart attack or anything else for that matter.

Exactly, people are quick to blame the band for all sorts of things. She could have been having heart attack symptoms but ignored them just figuring it was the band acting up. She tells two people she hasn't felt well and thinks her band is to blame. She has a massive heart attack in her sleep and WHAM - everyone just knows it was that band that caused her death!

But, that does bring up a good point for discussion. The band from time to time does give us all aches and pains. It is important for us to promptly recognize what is normal and what is not.

If you get unexplained symptoms that are out of the ordinary, don't come to LBT for three days seeking advice. If it seems abnormal seek immediate medical attention - it could just save your life.

Brad

I am glad they decided to support you. It is very rare to have a death due to the band unless warning signs are ignored COMPLETELY or it was more due to a co-morbidity complication or anesthesia. Also, many people group ALL weight loss surgeries in the same category and don't understand that they are not all the same. Is it possible that this friend of a friend had a different surgery? Just wondering. Best of Luck

thanks :]

i know she had the lap band surgery forsure. that's about as far as my knowledge goes. i didn't really know her. (i met her a few times briefly) but i have no clue.

I hope my posting hasn't offended anyone. i am not blaming her lap band for her death, i am just expressing a concern that i had because i thought it was going to make my family uneasy about it.

No offense here... Just want to give you as much ammunition as you need to make your case :tt2:...

Good Luck!

Brad

My thoughts about elective surgery ( Lap band) " I will surely shorten my lifespan if I don't do this" I ve tried everything else. Obesity is a killer...................

I have to say that people like to gossip and will excentuate any part of it that they know will grab you the most. I quickly looked through the responses and it did not seem like anyone could tell you exactly what killed this person. Also why is what killed her such a big secret? You mentioned you were'nt supposed to find out but someone told you. Reminds me of a segment on 20/20 years ago about someone recuperating from Gastric Bypass. Knowing what I know now this person was probably in the very begining of their recovery. The show however showed them miserable and devistated because they could only eat one or two mouthfuls at a time.

I'm sorry, I know this may have deterred you

But why put it on here in the first place if you weren't sure of the circumstances?

I'm sure that the Lap Band alone can't cause death during sleep. Other things seem to be in play here.

I believe my surgeon said the mortality rate is 1 in 5,000. He said that he has never lost anyone due to the lapband - and he has done MANY of them.