Dr Keshishian is a well respected bariatric surgeon who is well practiced in all types of WLS. In his own words :

Adjustable Gastric Banding

The adjustable gastric banding was approved and became widely used in the United States starting in 2002-2004. The early resulting data was acceptable in regards to the excess weight loss and the complications rate associated with it.

As more and more scientific data was published, it became clear adjustable gastric banding was not as benign or effective as initially thought. The associated weight loss was significantly less for the majority of patients. This information was even present in the literature provided to the patient by the manufacturer. Additional patients started developing Delay complications associated with the band, which includes esophageal dysmotility, a worsening of reflux, and continuous nausea and vomiting, in addition to inadequate weight loss.

In my opinion, the adjustable gastric banding procedures are inferior to the alternatives available. The specifics of different surgical outcomes are outlined on the poster available on our website. Adjustable gastric banding should be considered as a last resort, if at all, as a surgical procedure for treatment of morbid obesity and its associated comorbidities. Other complications that continue to plague adjustable gastric banding include slipped band, erosion, esophageal dilatation, and the required need for frequent adjustments.

The LAP-BAND AP® System

http://www.dssurgery.com/procedures/adjustable-gastric-banding.php?subnav=2

http://www.dssurgery.com/images/weight-loss-surgery-poster-large.jpg

I don't know why people post this sh-t. Clearly, people come to this site for support and encouragement, not fear and negativity. I'm annoyed, but clearly we cannot control who posts what, where. I will take what I need, and leave the rest.

YOu took the words right off my fingers!!

Since I posted this on the complications forum, my intended audience is those having complications and perhaps looking into revision. The links I posted have some very relevant information for people like myself who are contemplating which surgery to revise to. This was in no way intended for those of you who are currently banded and having no problems.

I think the absolute intolerance of this sort of post is ridiculously immature.

Dr Keshishian is one of, if not the most respected revision surgeon in the country.

Context is important here...I posted on the COMPLICATIONS forum.

I know that people need to hear the good, bad & the ugly before making such a big decision. But somehow, the way this post went up, felt anything BUT supportive or helpful. Just my feeling......

Before choosing a surgery, I scoured everything thing I possibly could, and talked with any and everyone who'd been through it. My doctor felt that the bypass was a good choice, and I almost went with it. Two weeks before the surgery, I freaked out and canceled it. And I'm SO glad I did!! I sleep much better at night knowing that I'm not permanently altered. And I know a few who are having issues years out, from the malabsorption aspect of the bypass. I'm at peace with my decision.

As I said in my response to the criticism, this post is on a complications support forum. People with complications need support and information too.

here is another (observation)

http://www.wlshelp.c..._medium=twitter

let me add,

i stand by my belief that the small risk of band surgery was WORTH saving my life...i also stand by the fact that ANY surgery can have complications...

msmaui, i find that until you had complications, the band actually helped you lose weight and you seem to forget that...sorry if that is rude but i find your constant harping of the band failures also rude......

yes you are able to post what you want, good and bad....and i respect that and i support you and your recent surgery....

I haven't had recent surgery, just a buttload of miserable tests. I have another one this morning.

I haven't forgotten that the band worked for me, I've been trying everything possible to keep it, in fact.

I posted this on the complications forum, why isn't that ok?

Since I posted this on the complications forum, my intended audience is those having complications and perhaps looking into revision. The links I posted have some very relevant information for people like myself who are contemplating which surgery to revise to. This was in no way intended for those of you who are currently banded and having no problems.

I think the absolute intolerance of this sort of post is ridiculously immature.

Dr Keshishian is one of, if not the most respected revision surgeon in the country.

Context is important here...I posted on the COMPLICATIONS forum.

You know what I think one of the problems is...the fact that people can't tell what section you posted this to. I know when I originally saw it, it was in the recent topics section of the main page on the right hand side. I had no idea you had posted it on the Complications section.

Just my two cents.

Edited April 9, 201313 yr by ♥CaWanna Band♥

I haven't had recent surgery, just a buttload of miserable tests. I have another one this morning.

I haven't forgotten that the band worked for me, I've been trying everything possible to keep it, in fact.

I posted this on the complications forum, why isn't that ok?

I haven't had recent surgery, just a buttload of miserable tests. I have another one this morning.

I haven't forgotten that the band worked for me, I've been trying everything possible to keep it, in fact.

I posted this on the complications forum, why isn't that ok?

First, I agree with the post by CaWanna Band. On the right side of the page, this showed up as a current topic. It doesn't say where it was posted.

There is nothing wrong with posting potential issues or problems. This went up without any comment from you as to why you were posting it. Some "helpful" words from you to preface the article, would probably have avoided the negative response to the post. The way it came up, felt to many of us like "the Antil-Band". Hard to digest on forum where most come for help, support and encouragement.

Perhaps looking up at the top of the page, under the blue banner after clicking the link would help in determining the context. There are a lot of forums here.

Maybe this would help:

Click on the recent topic, look under the blue navigation bar to see which forum you're in:

Lap Band Talk Forums → Lap Band Support Groups → Lap Band Complications

I haven't had recent surgery, just a buttload of miserable tests. I have another one this morning.

I haven't forgotten that the band worked for me, I've been trying everything possible to keep it, in fact.

I posted this on the complications forum, why isn't that ok?

Because it isn't the whole story. You posted a quote from a Dr. saying that the band was ineffective and dangerous, recommending that other forms of WLS were better. BUT you didn't, and don't mention that those surgeries have a higher complication and mortality rate than the band. Nor do you give equal time to surgeons who disagree with the Dr. you quoted. If you really want to be perceived as not being out to get the band, then you need to start giving the entire picture. I'm sorry, but your posts come off as being a "Band Hater" because of this, and based on the responses you got, this isn't only my opinion.

I have seen you make some incredibly helpful posts, but your "complications" posts are simply one sided and scary to people who haven't done their research.

Because it isn't the whole story. You posted a quote from a Dr. saying that the band was ineffective and dangerous, recommending that other forms of WLS were better. BUT you didn't, and don't mention that those surgeries have a higher complication and mortality rate than the band. Nor do you give equal time to surgeons who disagree with the Dr. you quoted. If you really want to be perceived as not being out to get the band, then you need to start giving the entire picture. I'm sorry, but your posts come off as being a "Band Hater" because of this, and based on the responses you got, this isn't only my opinion.

I have seen you make some incredibly helpful posts, but your "complications" posts are simply one sided and scary to people who haven't done their research.

There are tags, it's in the complications forum and I'm having the very complications Dr Keshishian speaks of...it's relevant if you're having complications, if not, you don't need to defend a device that is working for YOU. Just my $.02

There are tags, it's in the complications forum and I'm having the very complications Dr Keshishian speaks of...it's relevant if you're having complications, if not, you don't need to defend a device that is working for YOU. Just my $.02

When you chose to quote this:

"In my opinion, the adjustable gastric banding procedures are inferior to the alternatives available. The specifics of different surgical outcomes are outlined on the poster available on our website. Adjustable gastric banding should be considered as a last resort, if at all, as a surgical procedure for treatment of morbid obesity and its associated comorbidities. Other complications that continue to plague adjustable gastric banding include slipped band, erosion, esophageal dilatation, and the required need for frequent adjustments.

"

Without giving equal time to surgeons and studies that disagree, without dealing with the complications and risks that arise from those other surgeries, IMHO it stopped being about you and your complications and became a "hit job" on the band.

I am not defending the band, I don't give a damn what other people choose to do with their bodies. What I am doing is opposing scare tactics and arguments that conveniently forget to give both sides of the story. You want to warn people of the complications of the band, GO FOR IT and as long as you list the complications of other WLS you will not hear a peep from me.

I agree with Terry the issue isn't pointing out a concern it's using emotional language and opinion disguised as science and objective facts.

1% of the US population is convinced the world's governments are controlled by Lizard people. That is a fact; but that doesn't make their opinion actually true.

As for the cited expert I'd pointbout that the physician who developed the Hiemlich Maneuver and several other life saving devices also promoted several very dangerous life threatening procedures. Experts are still human and their opinions may have weight but that doesn't make them always right.

1% of the US population is convinced the world's governments are controlled by Lizard people.

And that's true. But we prefer "Geico People" please

And that's true. But we prefer "Geico People" please

Dang it 2much, how many times have I told you it is Gecko People, not Geico"??? And you aren't supposed to be talking to the "normals" about this either. One day when the "Grand Iguana" rules the earth, we won't have to keep our existence a secret, but until then please take a lower profile.

Dang it 2much, how many times have I told you it is Gecko People, not Geico"??? And you aren't supposed to be talking to the "normals" about this either. One day when the "Grand Iguana" rules the earth, we won't have to keep our existence a secret, but until then please take a lower profile.

yall be profiling..........i am so telling