I'm having my band done at the Washington University hospital, which has been awarded the honor of being a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. So I'm not afraid of surgeon error or anything going wrong during the actual operation, but I started reading reviews and personal experiences last night, and didn't go to bed with a good feeling.

I kept hearing things about...well, lemme make a list of some of the things that stuck out.

- Statistically, almost everyone who gets banded has to have corrective surgery at some point in their lives.

- There's a major flaw in the idea of putting a rigid plastic ring around a soft, moving organ and expecting it to be permanent.

- Most people usually only lose about 50% of their excess weight, and it can often take about a year for that to happen

- Lap Band is high maintenance and will require post-op doctor's care for the rest of my life

I'm starting to doubt my decision.

So... for those of you who've been banded for a long time, how would you say these somewhat alarming statement vibe with your own experiences?

Because it's such a relatively new procedure, I know there's no long-term studies available of how the band affects people after, say, 20 years, but I like to think there will be a time where my band is at its ideal fill, and I can just leave it alone. Is it really a constant maintenance issue forever afterward?

I have about 115lbs to lose. If I only really have hope of losing about 50 of that in the first year.... well, that's kind of discouraging. As fat as I am, I'm very active and exercise a lot. It's just the binge eating I need to get under control. I always hoped I'd be able to lose 80+ the first year. But I don't know if that's a reasonable goal, now.

Any honest feedback and personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

I have been banded about a year and a half. I lost 107 pounds in about 10 months. Aside from being too tight after a couple of the fills (vomiting, but it's not like regular vomiting, no heaves. The food just kind of comes right back up) I have had no complications. I don't know about the statisitics you mentioned so I really can't speak to them. I can say, with the right diet and excersise it is possible to loose more than 50 pounds in a year. You must remember everyone's body is different. Some just tend to be "slow loosers". I am lucky in that my body responds when I do the right things, always has. I ate very high protein, low carb and low fat. I did cardio for about 45 min. 4-5 days a week. I got a personal trainer and do weights 3 days a week. If you can afford one I highly reccomend it, it is very motivating and keeps you accountable. Not to mention that when you build muscle you increase your metabolism. It is a big decision, you are asking good questions. Good luck!

I am 9 months post op and have lost about 65 pounds. I don't always do the right thing, food wise. I see my doctor monthly and have to have my fills under fluro. Yes this is a nuisance but i dont have to attend weekly meetings/weigh in, i don't have to count points/calories and i am still loosing weight and even more amazing, i have not/can not go back to my old ways and put all the weight back on plus some. I am now much fitter than i was and i have almost certainly avoided or prolonged getting diabetes like other members of my family.

You need to do what is right for you. Perhaps research the sleeve as another option as no fills or port flips etc. Good luck.