What the story long term?

Is it really in there for life?

& who might you know that's had it more than a few years?

Do we really know what the possible long term effects of having a foreign object inside our bodies might be?

AGS (Adjustable Gastric Banding) has only been approved in the U.S since 2001, but has been used in Europe since 1990. As with anything it has gone through some changes over the years and you can do a quick google search and get some fantastic information from studies conducted both here in the states and in Europe.

It sounds like you are still in the homework stage so read anything and everything you can. I literally spent over 2 years actively researching gastric banding. I read everything from these forums to medical studies and visited with more than one surgeon before deciding the benefits outweighed the risks for me. For me I needed to know all of the risks and benefits before I felt I could make an informed and educated decision.

I wish you luck on your journey.

I am part of group on Yahoo - SmartBandsters. One of the moderators, Jessie Ahroni has been banded since 1998. She has written a book about banding. She has not had any complications.

So far at my Surgeons office I have met 2 people that have been banded 8 and 8 1/2 years.

They are both happy , maintaining goal and have not had any problems to speak of.

Dee

I am part of group on Yahoo - SmartBandsters. One of the moderators, Jessie Ahroni has been banded since 1998. She has written a book about banding. She has not had any complications.

So far at my Surgeons office I have met 2 people that have been banded 8 and 8 1/2 years.

They are both happy , maintaining goal and have not had any problems to speak of.

Dee

Great!

Thats what I was hoping to hear! :smile2:

I know a couple of 15 year or so bandsters, but they have had original bands replaced. Mine has been in place for 5 years now, and still going strong (touch wood). I do know someone who's had her original band nine years with no problems.

My surgeon said his best guess was 20 years before needing replacement. He said parts WILL wear out, the balloon specifically, so I guess the less you muck around with it and the less full you have it, the better.

As to a foreign body, I know you're a guy so you wont be considering fake breasts, but it astounds me how many people say that but are not phased by plastic surgery. People have pins, plates, knees and hips, pacemakers and stents in them, and dont worry about those. None of those last forever either.

But I figure thanks to my lapband, I hopefully wont NEED a knee, hip, or stent!

I know several who started with earlier incarnations of banding in the early- to mid-90s, and have converted to adjustable banding----so while they've had revision, they've been banded for a good 15 years.

My doctor told me today most don't have their lap band in more than 5 years,

& then in the next building when I asked the same question these others told me the same...

I posted more about my doctor visit in my intro tread.

WOW, only 5 years? That seems odd.....

I agree w/Jachut...we all know people with other foreign objects and no one questions it....

I know a lady who's had hers for at least 6 years now with no problems.

My surgeon is Australian and he has had the band for more than a decade without any issues. I think the general consensus is that revisions start typically after 15 years. The 5 year thing sounds crazy - more than half of the people I know with bands have had them for more than 5 years.

I know a girl who has hers since 2001 and still doing great. Maintaining after having children and recently had a tummy tuck and breat aug.

I have a pacemaker and ,to me, the Lapband is alot like it. They are both saving my life. So... I'll get them replaced as necessary and not bat an eye. I wish everyone would see it that way.

I specifically asked my doctor if I would have to have my lapband redone at 90 because of the band deteriorating inside me. His reply was that the lap band would outlast my grandchildren!