Ok guys.... I'm getting a little concerned here... Most of the posts I have read today have been about lap band removals, failed bands, etc....

It scares me a little because I'm just a newbie, and my doctor only mentioned "briefly" what could go wrong. I was under the impression that the lap band surgery being the less invasive, was also the safest.

I know there are lots of success stories but it just seems today all I have read are the horror ones:(

I don't wanna get discouraged....

I also noticed there was a lot of old threads pulled up for removals. Someone has gone through looking for information in old posts and commented on them with questions, which brings them to the top of the "View New Content" section. Don't be discouraged.

i was banded oct 2010. I was 260lbs. I commited to losing weight before i let the doctor cut on me. I got down to 169 within a year. Then my weight loss stalled. i was working out 5 days a week and eating better than i ever had. My goal weight is anywhere in the 150's. The doctor kept filling and filling and still gaining. He decided to empty my band to see if i had a leak. I only had 4cc and was suppose to have 10.5 cc. It took forever to get my insurance to cover the port replacement ( the doc kept using the wrong code). i got really depressed and stopped working out and eating right. I kepy telling myself i will get back to it when i got my port replaced. 20 lbs later (gained and 4 months) i got my port replaced ..( which was a small quick surgery. ) i am back on the down slope.. Many of my friends are going with the sleeve because its becomeing the gold standard. But if you are willing to put the work into it im sure it will be the right decision. All and all i LOVE my band and the will power it has given me. I am up to 7cc's now and this is the 1st time in 18 months that i have felt restriction. It can work!!

I gotcha Stephi... I was like OMG what's going on with all this negativity???? That makes sense. Thank you!

i still love my band, i am one year out now, and lost 55 lbs now. do i wish it was more, of course. but i am happy with my weightloss and my decision. i personally would not want the sleeve, not in agreement with having half my stomach removed, but hey to each their own.

you are going to find negativity with everything out there. some have band failures because of the band itself, others it is because they chose to not eat like they should have in the first place. i have learned to not let the haters get to me

Why is the sleeve now the gold standard?

There has been alot lately, I agree. Seems like it goes in streaks. I read them, but I dont tend to worry about things until I have to anyway. The craziest I heard was that over half of lapbanders have a slip and die from it. I think they would have stats on that one.

Yes Hope...that one worried me too. Honestly, my doctor barely went into any contraindications....on the contrary, he was very positive and said statistics for band failure were a very small percentage:)

I'll keep thinking that way! Ive only lost 17 lbs since February but well in my way down:)

Good luck to you and everyone else!!!!!

I hear stories and get nervous. But I also know that we have to stick to those rules so we don't have complications (which some just happen like I have read). I have had some "stuck" sliming issues lately, I guess that's why I'm here tonite. I'm scared and need help. Some days great a couple not so great. I want this to be successful. Banded 2010 from 268 to 190 slowly

My surgeon sat down with me prior to surgery and we went through the list of bad things that could happen. I was free to ask questions if I did not understand, and then I had to sign to show I understood that there can be complications. I am guessing most surgeon's do this to cover their butt, and maybe people don't really think about them.

I know for myself when I read a warning on anything else (OTC meds, machinery, etc), I don't take it to heart because what is the likelihood that will happen to me? I guess it's easier to have hope than not

As for the sleeve as the gold standard, it is well known that in other countries (UK, Australia), the band is prevalent. While other countries fine tuned the band, America was focusing on bypass. I guess it's easiest to say that American Dr's have been playing with bypass a lot longer and so they know it can work, regardless of the patient. The Lapband may not work if the patient doesn't put in the work.

Well said:)