Hi there! I have been on the journey to a August surgery date, but as I have continued my research into the lapband I am becoming more and more concerned. I have read that more than 50% of patients who have the lapband require surgeries later on due to complications versus other WLS. I have read of scar tissue after removal of the band, and other negative reports. Can anyone please give me some first hand insight? Thanks in advance!

You're reading studies about the old lapband from 15 years ago. There are 3 different versions of the band and the most recent version has a much lower revision rate.

http://www.lifeshape.net/blog/2013/02/study-demonstrates-the-long-term-benefit-of-laparoscopic-adjustable-gastric-banding/

And one more thing. I'd still take a 50% chance of becoming happily thin over 0% if I didn't.

ALL WLS' have complications

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/

The studies are THERE, no matter how old they are,Some complications are just less prevalent because of improved surgical methods.

Although early reports described a 35% initial excess weight loss on average by most patients, more recent reports describe not only high failure rates but also high reintervention rates for both band-related complications (e.g. band erosion, leakage, slippage, port infection and esophageal dilatation) and failure to lose weight such that as few as 54% of patients may have their band in place after 10 years

Scar tissue will be present for any surgical procedure, unfortunately it affects the band differently, A Vertical gastric sleeve is safer if done on a VIRGIN stomach, apposed to being done after a band. But malabsorption issues are a problem with Gastric bi-pass. I'm sure your aware no surgery is without risks.

The following link gives a brief overview of the varied WLS types

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3470459/

I guess what has to be considered is What choice you can live with, what are the possible complications associated with it, Can I deal with having multiple surgeries if the band doesn't work, and which is best suited to me?

In my Opinion the band is not the Panacea it is touted to be, and it's not permanent (no matter what is said).

Good Luck in your decision~~ feel free to email me