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

She is a band hater.

Since she has had problems she has found her calling. It is now her mission to ensure that as many people as possible know how bad the awful band is so that they don't get one.

She seems to think , and wants to convince others, that it is far better to get some form of surgery that has a high complication rate(including death) up front, than to go with the band that has a low up front complication rate but may have some (usually non life threatening) complications at a later point.

My husband always says, doctors practice medicine. The word practice is the key. They try and hope it works. The band, by pass and the sleeve, non are perfect. If it works for you, then it is perfect. Marriage is the same, if it works for you and your partner, then it is perfect.

Everyone has their views just don't knock it and scare the world. Liz Taylor never gave up on marriage and she still never got it right. She had 8? husbands. That didn't scare me away from marriage. I am married 42 1/2 years to my high school sweetheart. Hopefully we will not need 8 different weight loss surgeries.

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

Well thanks for the lesson. I've honesly never noticed that way up there.

I think that I'm just tired of this. So either I tailor my posts to be less negative, more band friendly and less truthful. Sorry...

It's ridiculous that none of these people have apologized to you. You posted helpful information on the correct forum and got wrongfully attacked for it. You are owed an apology. If people can't bother to read which forum it's posted in that's their problem not yours.

It's ridiculous that none of these people have apologized to you. You posted helpful information on the correct forum and got wrongfully attacked for it. You are owed an apology. If people can't bother to read which forum it's posted in that's their problem not yours.

I'm sorry, but apologize for what? Pointing out the fact the original post was just an opinion and not at all based on facts?

This is a forum not a blog. People are going to respond whether you like it or not. This is especially true when you post things that are arguably bad or incorrect information.

I am not going to apologize for posting the truth and I don't care who gets their panties in a twist because of it. Just because you don't like the truth doesn't make it less true.

I think that I'm just tired of this. So either I tailor my posts to be less negative' date=' more band friendly and less truthful. Sorry...[/quote']

No one is asking you to be less truthful or even more band friendly it seems most people would just like you to be sure to provide more context. You can point out risks though without being as negative.

Implying the band is super risky is no more accurate than saying it works all the time or is complication free. When people come to this website to do research I think we have an obligation to speak honestly about the level of potential risk and the level of potential benefit. It's fine to speak from our own experience and refer people to differing opinions but we should avoid misrepresenting anecdotes and opinions as "truth".

I'd put my money on a world renowned surgeon, personally. Most people find out that what he says about the band is true. I know I found out the hard way. She posted in Band Complications forum and was attacked for it. It's wrong.

I'd put my money on a world renowned surgeon, personally. Most people find out that what he says about the band is true. I know I found out the hard way. She posted in Band Complications forum and was attacked for it. It's wrong.

Really? I can post actual studies proving everything his said is complete crap and untrue.

Can you prove it is true? If so, please by all means, post the studies proving it.

Here's the studies proving everything he said is false and no more than his skewed opinion:

Weight Stays Off Long After Lap Band Surgery

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding In 2000 Consecutive Obese Patients: 12-Year Results

I'd put my money on a world renowned surgeon' date=' personally. Most people find out that what he says about the band is true. I know I found out the hard way. She posted in Band Complications forum and was attacked for it. It's wrong.[/quote']

This is why ethics and logic need more emphasis in schools. If I say "I'm a man in a blue shirt" I've said something that is true but "all men wear blue shirts" is not a truth. The same principle applies to expert opinions. That is why scientific studies are necessary to help identify when experts are being overly reliant on anecdotal evidence.

I'm not attacking anyone personally I'm trying to establish a modicum of objectivity when discussing complications so people can make informed and intelligent decisions about WLS rather than falling prey to far mongering or excessive enthusiasm.

People find out eventually. I don't really care to change minds. I gave up on that because people don't believe it until they go through it. The issue is that Ms Maui had every right to post without being insulted and attacked.

People find out eventually. I don't really care to change minds. I gave up on that because people don't believe it until they go through it. The issue is that Ms Maui had every right to post without being insulted and attacked.

So you have zero proof. Got it.

And btw, it's awfully nice for you to come out of nowhere to defend your friend, being as you just joined this forum today and your only posts are here on this thread.

This is why ethics and logic need more emphasis in schools. If I say "I'm a man in a blue shirt" I've said something that is true but "all men wear blue shirts" is not a truth. The same principle applies to expert opinions. That is why scientific studies are necessary to help identify when experts are being overly reliant on anecdotal evidence.

I'm not attacking anyone personally I'm trying to establish a modicum of objectivity when discussing complications so people can make informed and intelligent decisions about WLS rather than falling prey to far mongering or excessive enthusiasm.

PREACH IT BROTHER!!!

Even if the only classes I took in college were on logic and scientific methodology all those years of loans would be still have been worth it.

Missy, Frederic and others are spot on.

Reminds me of the teen who throws a firecracker in the bonfire and is SHOCKED when someone gets hurt. This type of post, and there have been others by the same member, is meant to provoke and yet outrage is then professed when called on it. Very typical passive-aggressive behavior.

The sad part is this type of childishness negates, for me, the many worthwhile posts/comments made by this member.

I am legitimately in the complications forum because, well, I have a complication with my band. I didn't read your initial post, OP as providing any real helpful information for someone who has had complications with the band, because it didn't say 'these are the things to consider when you have complications'. Instead it just kinda scolded anyone who chose the band (and in my case, who is choosing the band again), insinuated that they're choosing an inferior product (and I don't believe so), told them they were probably not going to be successful (which was not true at all for me), without providing context on the motivation behind your post.

So I posted because since we're talking anedoctal evidence, I am anecdoctally what a successful lapbander looks like. And one who has a complication, but will still choose the band given the new choices I have available. I would think me posting provided a nice balance to the discussion. And surely, balance is necessary, isn't it?