Hello! I am currently choosing between the band and the sleeve. My main concern with the band is with the long-term effects of having an implant. I have heard that about 50% of people have their bands either removed or revised after the 5 year mark. Is there anyone who knows any more about this or who has had their band for a long time? I will be asking the surgeon about this of course, but in the meantime I would love to hear from you

Thanks!

I'm over five years now and never had an issue, never even been too tight. Lost all my weight, kept it off for 3 years now. I'm unfilled at the moment, but that's because I had an unrelated major surgery last November and have a small one still to go.

Hi:

I'm almost 4 years out. At 3 years out I had a slip and got my older band replaced. The older band (alot smaller) had more complications than the current one. Overall, I'm still very happy with the results. I started at 324 and got down as low as 174. I got up as high as 208 when my band was slipped, but I'm maintaining down at 190 for six months now.

I think that the lapband requires alot of follow up with your surgeon. Luckily my surgeon is great and I didn't mind all of the follow up. Pick someone that you will want to see for the long-term.

Take care and best wishes to you.

Sue

I've been banded just over 2 years and no problems other than being too tight for a few weeks and that was easily fixed by having a little Fluid taken back out.

I know at least 2 other people who've had their original bands for 10 years or more and have had no major problems.

Here's a link to one of the first long-term studies I have seen.

http://www.lapbandcentral.com/local/files/en/news_resources/clinical_papers/Favretti_Ob_Surg_April_07_12_yr_paper.pdf

I did not read the entire study. With early techniques, some of the studies show a removal rate up to 50%. That has gone down greatly with the pars flaccida technique that is used today. Pubmed.com is a good place to go to read studies. I've seen others that say 30% are removed, but they don't always say why. Wether it was complications or patients' choice. Do a search for "gastric band" and read up on it. Do make a note of the dates of the studies. I believe the pars flaccida technique became the standard somewhere around 2000-2002. Maybe someone here knows for sure?? Earlier studies tend to have a higher removal rate.

Here's a link to a response to a similar question by my surgeon:

http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/topic/55154-lifespan-and-product-failure-of-lap-band-and-adjustable-gastric-band/

I am a bit over three years out, and have had no problems at all. That doesn't mean I don't worry about the possibility of problems, but I also don't dwell on it. All of the WLS procedures have a list of possible complications.

You are doing great by asking questions and getting informed!

Thanks for your input everyone! This is my main worry about the lap-band and I am looking forward to talking to my surgeon about it, but having people's opinions helps a lot!

Have had the band 3 years and have lost 140 pounds. Had the port replaced last year due to leaking. Wouldn't change it for the world!