I am supposed to get the lap-band on March 23, 2006. I want to hear from someone who has had the band for a long time. I just want some evidence that this thing won't kill you in the long run. I am afraid to make things worst for myself. Anyway, if anyone knows of anyone that has had the band for a long time, please contact me.

Thanks,

Diana

I am 14 months out and not dead yet.

jayme

5 yrs out and not dead yet. I think that if you're going to die, you're most likely to die during the operation... and even then, the chances are quite low. But still, that's why the docs do all of the pre-op tests, etc.

The longest Bandsters in the US tend to be those who participated in the FDA trials... so 5-7 years out. You'll find older Bandsters in New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. Might want to try Bandsters and Smart Bandsters on Yahoo Groups.

Here's a recently published study on 3 yr results from one US study. The mean BMI of 50 is relatively high for a Band (in my experience)... but maybe things have changed:

Three-year follow-up weight loss results for patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding at a major university medical center: does the weight loss persist?

Sarker S, Myers J, Serot J, Shayani V.

Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.

BACKGROUND: Very few large United States series with long-term data after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) have been published. Here, we present results of 409 consecutive LAGBs performed at a major United States medical center. METHODS: Charts were retrospectively reviewed for perioperative morbidity, mortality, and repeat operations. Weight loss data were collected during band adjustments. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 42 years. Mean preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI) were 142.4 kg and 50.6 kg/m2, respectively. There was 1 fatal myocardial infarction and 4 nonfatal pulmonary emboli. There were 50 (12%) repeat operations resulting in 16 (4%) bands being removed. Mean excess weight loss was 23.7%, 44.3%, 48.0%, and 53.3% with <1 year, 1 to 2 years, 2 to 3 years, and >3 years of follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Three-year follow-up data demonstrated continued weight loss in patients after LAGB. The relative safety and continued adjustability of LAGB make it an appealing option for long-term weight loss.

PMID: 16490549 [PubMed - in process]

To put the weight loss into perspective. I'll use myself. Starting weight 297. Ideal weight.. 150 (or so). Excess Weight: 147 lbs.

So 1st year weight loss: -34.89

1st to 2nd year weight loss: -65.12 (lost another 30 lbs.)

2nd to 3rd year weight loss: -70.56 (lost another 5 lbs.)

3 rd year: -78.31 (lost another 8 lbs.)

So from 297 to 218 in 3 years... losing roughly 1/2 excess weight.

Here's one from Germany, looking at 10 yrs of results.

** No intraoperative or postoperative death occurred in the first 30 postoperative days. **

[Long-term results after gastric banding]

[Article in German]

Stroh C, Hohmann U, Schramm H, Manger T.

Departement fur Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie, SRH Wald-Klinikum Gera gGmbH, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat Jena. Christine.Stroh@wkg.srh.de

BACKGROUND: Adjustable gastric banding is a popular bariatric operation in Europe. The rate of long-term complications like pouch dilatation, slippage and band migration and the long-term effect of weight loss are reported in meta-analysis and few studies for a period of more than five years. We report on experiences after gastric banding. METHODS: Over a period of 10 years 168 patients with morbid obesity were treated with gastric banding. Preoperative data, postoperative weight loss and long-term complications were prospectively obtained and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 41.7 years with a mean preoperative BMI of 49.6 kg/m2. No intraoperative or postoperative death occurred in the first 30 postoperative days. Intraoperative conversion rate was 7.1 %. 79.8 % of the patients (n = 134) were available for follow up (mean follow-up time 66.7 months). Long-term complications occurred in 22.5 % of the patients. 30 complications (17.8 %) were related to the band and 8 (4.7 %) to the access-port or to the tube. Mean excess weight loss was 39.6, 47.3, 44.2, 43.4 and 32 % after 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic gastric banding can achieve an effective weight loss. However band-related and functional complications will influence the late outcome. Pathways to choose the best surgical method for the individual patient are necessary to reduce failures after gastric banding.

PMID: 16220436 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Hi Diane,

I will be banded almost 3 years in June. No problems at all!!!

Babs in TX

334/180ish

-150 ish

Diana,

There are several LBT members that have had their bands for years.

One that comes to mind is "Coffeewrench". I think she's been banded around 6 years now.

I was banded last week by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey Mexico. Dr. Rumbaut told me he's aware of someone who's had their band for 16 or 17 years. Of course the band wasn't placed in the United States. Dr. Rumbaut himself was banded in Italy where banding has been going on for a lot longer than here.

I'm a little over 2 years out and still lovin my band!!