It's now been 6 years that I started my weight loss "Journey" mmmmm not sure I want to classify it as a "Journey"! Think I would prefer "learning curve" I'll keep the work Journey for more fun type events.

Good news is, I used to be 155Kg's now I am steady at 100 - 105.

It's like all forums, you study and read as much as you can, once you get through to the other side, you never return to these forums, and while I am sitting here eating my breakfast at Port Macquarie (I don't live here, just passing through) I thought I would put my self out there.

I will give a a brief outline and if you have questions please ask.

I am currently 52 YO healthy married Australian male (born in USA) my wife and son have also had survey, pretty much before me, all lost weight to a happy health level, especially my wife who is now 65Kg, in her 50's and well sexy as!

All 3 surgeries were different and had different outcomes including a big scare with my, then 19 YO son, now 23.

Banding, sleeve and bypass, we as a family, experienced them all!

Most weight loss is naturally a by pass, then sleeve them banding, I had a band for 2 years and it worked for weight loss, just very hard to live with, I now have had a sleeve for 4 years and for me, that was the answer, those of you planning a band will not want to hear that I know, but honestly for me it was the only answer.

If any one wants details of any of my family's experiences, let me know and I will be happy to reply.

Excuse any type'o's I'm on an iPhone!

Scott

Which surgery did your wife and son have? Congrats on your weieght loss!

My wife had a band in 2003, she had a strangulated stomach in 05 and had it removed under emergency surgery, blood supply got cut off to the stomach. she nearly died, weight came straight back on in 3 months, in 2007 she had a gastric bypass (there were no other options as her stomach was scared from the band and a sleeve was not an option either), she had a few issues in the first 2 - 4 months, in the past 6 years no problems.

My Son had a sleeve, he had terrible complications developing an abscess, that lead to more surgery, he documented his complications and posted them on YouTube under "Curtis Layton" he looks back now, and says he would do it all again in a heart beat!

He is now around 80 - 85 Kg's and looking fine!

Glad you found what works for you. Everyone is different.

Yes it is amazing how many patients eventually revise to a sleeve or a gastric bypass, the band seems to be a quick grab for cash costing around 8K, in actual theatre and equipment cost is less than 3K, 10 of those is 30K and that would be a weekly work for WL Dr in NSW

Yes it is amazing how many patients eventually revise to a sleeve or a gastric bypass, the band seems to be a quick grab for cash costing around 8K, in actual theatre and equipment cost is less than 3K, 10 of those is 30K and that would be a weekly work for WL Dr in NSW

Actually that's not true at all. In fact, studies show the band has a very low failure rate and the majority of Lap Band patients maintain their weight loss long term. It also shows that 2 year weight loss results are comparable to the Gastric Bypass or Sleeve.

Here is the study: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/

The main cause of revision to other WLS isn't band failure, it's patient failure. The exception to that rule would be in the case of the old 4cc bands- which have been discontinued in the UK and US due to a high complication rate.

Hi Scott

Wondering why you chose now to join LBT and what the purpose of your post is?

Hi Scott, I too have the band and have had some problems, I just went in for an EDG now I'm waiting for my Dr. To call, I lost really well at first, but after two years started having problems, I was down to 135 lbs, gained back about 25 lbs, I was at 189 starting weight, but I want to keep my band and have them do a revision and plication done know, yes it is hard but I did it and now what some thing that I can lose this weight and keep it off, with the plication, I was reading your story and whated to wish you and your family good luck!

Well people who need their bands removed most likely 1 over ate and caused their band to erode 2 didnt follow the rules and had to have their band removed. Band erosion or strangulation as you call it is caused from over eating and pushing the band into the stomach wall causing it to erode into the stomach. Most erosion comes from not following the rules, keeing your band too tight. I have had mine for 3 years and not one complication. People like you try to scare people about having the band because in all reality it is only 1 percent of all patients that have the band removed because of complications.

So all mixed remarks, all I can say is time will tell, and I all can do to help is tell my story, as I said before, most bandsters do not want to hear what I have to say, and that's OK, if you are looking at a band, all I say is a sleeve is the same thing but permanent, easy to live with and you only need to do it once, no worry about band erodes, band slipping band fluid adjustments, no eating at a certain rate, no prob with filling your old stomach by eating slow it goes on and on, the band is a "band aid" save some cash, do it right or at least read and consider the better options, I don't need links about bands or any thing else, I'm not here to argue, I am here to share my story.

Good luck to you all and do your research, the ONLY way to get good info is talk to WLD patients especially those that did it years ago!!

It's not that anyone doesn't want to hear your story, but when you post incorrect information (like about people converting to sleeve) people are going to correct it. It's not personal we just don't want more false info floating around out there.

Best wishes with your choices.