I was informed by a bariatric surgeon that the bands should be surgically after you reach your goal weight. Not longer than approximately 2 years. My understanding is that it can potentially set you up for problems like erosion if it is in too long due to the band being a foreign object & also deterioration of the band. I was under the impression that the band could be in for several years. I was somewhat perplexed by this information. I was hoping to find that (sweet spot) for the next 20 yrs or so after my goal weight where I would eat just the right amounts of food in order to avoid gaining or loosing weight. The surgeon informed me that by the time bandsters reach their goal, they will know how to eat and it will become habitual. (Why am I doubting this?) I know how I should eat already & I have'nt been able to make it one of my better habits for the last 50 yrs! What is protocol on band removal and why?

Hi

My doctor told me they aim to keep it in for 5 years......no longer.....by then your habits should have changed and all those things.......people got quite "het-up" when I posted about this before.....

I wish the wise people on the board would start keeping a threat like the before and after threat to see some longer term statistics even if it is only of the people on the board........who slipped,who eroded....how long before every one lost there band.....that way in a year or so we might have a much better idea of what happens to whom and why.....just for good solid info......but I think people will have a lot of reasons why we shouldnt do that....hey,like before I might be wrong but I think it is quite realistic for the dr to tell people they will lose their band before say 5 years because I think a lot of people will.....It might have been designed to be permanent but I dont think the original band will be permanent for most....as time seems to be going by a lot of longer term complications seem to be happening and I think statistics will change in the next few years....

Again,dont get mad....I think if one have complications from the band you tend to look out for others with it and you notice it more....