I spoke with a friend's husband who happens to be a Gastroenterologist. I wanted him to give me some insights as to the risks etc...as I am considering doing the banding.

He said...in general ....surgerys of the stomach are less dangerous in comparsion to other organs. In fact...he said in the worst case scenerio....if a patient had stomach cancer and had his entire stomach removed...and the esophagas (sp?) attached directly to the gut....he would still be able to survive. So most problems...including the worst case situations ... are not life threatening. Most problems or complications, he said come when people have other metabolic problems going on....and therefore were not ideal candidates...but insisted on the surgery.....and then subsequently...had poor results...due to a metabolic dominoe effect of problems.

So...if you don't have kidney, liver, pancreas or other metabolic conditions....then you really should not worry....other than the obvious risks attributed to any surgery...ie: anethesia, site infections....etc.

That is why most good doctors....will make you do a ton of other medical tests to be sure that you will tolerate the surgery well. Do listen to the experts....if they feel you are too complicated.....maybe it is best to get into a better health situation before pursuing this or other surgeries.

hugs...diane : )

I for one am glad you posted this. I am pre op, have an overactive imagination and have been wondering about the long term effects of squeezing in the stomach, necrosis etc.

I am still wondering about those who have had the band removed, does the stomach go back to 'normal' or is it distorted, or does it even matter.

Anyhoo, thanks for posting this.

I asked this question directly.....(my husband is also a doc....so I better ask lotsa questions!)

The Surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic (bariatric program) said if it is removed, it goes back to it's original state completely.

A lot of slippage can be avoided by the skill of the doctor placing the band..as they put in some stabilizing stiches. An experienced surgeon with a natural finesse...can have much less slippage problems. So do ask your doc what % of slippage occurs with his program and more importantly....how many procedures HE has personally done and his post surgery results.

A good candidate...with a good surgeon.....should = good results.

I would not ever consider doing a lasix surgery on my eyes with a discount coupon stating $500 an eye....as I will get a "MacDonalds" level of care and results. Such bargain docs usually are doing volume procedures JUST for the $$$$ and even the patients that should be turned away are not....so they have many unhappy customers. Find a doc that is professional, attached to a reputable program in your area and loves his work and better yet...does research...as those are the pioneers that are science driven. Do your leg-work and choose the very best doctor you can find.

I wish you well.... on your journey to better health!

smiles...diane : )

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that you might not know you have a metabolic disorder prior to surgery. By all accounts I was a good candidate for the band, since many women with PCOS do just fine and lose weight after WLS.

Thanks for posting this. It answered some questions I had too.

Hey Vinesqueen, I have PCOS too. In fact, my endocronologist who treats me for it is the one who suggested this surgery. Which is how I got started.

Vinesqueen....excellent point.

There will always be risks that even though we may seem to be a good candidate....there are unknown variables that will be individual to each patient. The body is very mysterious. Hopefully, we shall have success in the long run. (ps... I love turtles).....remember it is the turtle that wins the race!

But we want to at least "fall" into the better satitistics before and after surgery!!!!