Hello Everyone,

I am seriously considering the Lap Band, and have an appointment scheduled with a physician to discuss it. I've spent some time researching the procedure, and have a couple of thoughts / questions I'd like some feedback on.

My primary concern is with the frequency of follow-up visits to the physician. I've read that monthly visits are required. I travel a lot, and having to go monthly would be burdensome. Does a Lap Band recipient need to plan on monthly doctor visits forever? Is it just for the first few months, then tapers off?

Next issue - I'm having a hard time getting a clear picture on the rate of complications. Some research suggests that an awfully high percentage of Lap Band patients end up with complications that require additional surgery to correct. However, various Internet user groups and polls of Lap Band patients tend to indicate that most people are quite happy with the Lap Band and glad they got it. This could be explained a couple of ways - 1. people feel that the Lap Band is worth getting despite the complications; or 2. complications are over-reported or over-emphasized.

It seems like a lot of people initially get a lap band, then end up having it removed and receive either a gastric sleeve procedure or gastric bypass. I'm not sure my weight and over-eating problems are quite severe enough for a gastric bypass, but I'm wondering if I should opt for a gastric sleeve. If I'm going to have surgery under general anesthesia anyway, might as well do something that's less likely to have complications, require less maintenance, and be more likely to work.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback on the above. I don't pretend to know the answers and just want to hear from people with more experience and knowledge than me.

Thanks,

Joe

I wish my esophageal dysmotility was flying "fast and loose" with the facts. If it was 11% in 1995 and according to the doctors I'm seeing, saying they're seeing a dramatic increase within the banded population, who knows what the actual % is today..,

Thanks for clearing that up TMF. I figured she was full of BS, as usual.

I wonder if the complication rate is skewed due to the problems and removal rate for the old 4cc sized bands that are no longer being used in the US? There are a lot of quacks promoting WLS, and I firmly believe that a surgeon needs to provide the best option for WLS on an individual basis. There were some real horror stories regarding WLS clinics on the West Coast several years ago. Shop for a surgeon with an impeccable reputation.

I wonder if the complication rate is skewed due to the problems and removal rate for the old 4cc sized bands that are no longer being used in the US? There are a lot of quacks promoting WLS, and I firmly believe that a surgeon needs to provide the best option for WLS on an individual basis. There were some real horror stories regarding WLS clinics on the West Coast several years ago. Shop for a surgeon with an impeccable reputation.

It is, actually. It's unfortunate but the removal/complication rate for the old 4cc bands is a lot higher. What makes it worse is the fact shady Mexican docs still use it to cut their costs. It definitely effects the overall success rates as a whole.

Thanks for clearing that up TMF. I figured she was full of BS, as usual.

LMAO....

Love the puppy!

Thanks Maddy! That is my sweet little Ava at 6 weeks old. She is 17.5 weeks now and about 33 pounds.

MsMaui:

I feel bad for you that you've had a miserable experience with your band, and I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your weight loss journey

But PLEASE STOP misrepresenting facts/statistics

Anyone with common sense will realize that surgeons wouldn't do this procedure if there was a 25% removal rate, but common sense isn't all that common unfortunately.

All you are doing is spreading baseless negative propaganda (and frankly scaring the **** out of many bandsters)

It's just plain crazy!

MsMaui:

I feel bad for you that you've had a miserable experience with your band' date=' and I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your weight loss journey

But PLEASE STOP misrepresenting facts/statistics

Anyone with common sense will realize that surgeons wouldn't do this procedure if there was a 25% removal rate, but common sense isn't all that common unfortunately.

All you are doing is spreading baseless negative propaganda (and frankly scaring the **** out of many bandsters)

It's just plain crazy![/quote']

What has been misrepresented? The stat was part of the initial application for approval by the FDA that was submitted by Inamed and was included in the information packet published by Allergan until very recently. If yo feel that my information is incorrect, just back it up with opposing studies. No need to censor me.

As I've stated over and over, there needs to be further esophageal testing to aid in determining if a person's anatomy can tolerate banding. Since so many of us had hiatal hernia repair with bands, getting this testing helps surgeons determine the best procedure for repair, since the repair directly involves the gastro-esophageal junction. This area is subject to high pressure with banding (not from non-compliance) and the nerves can be damaged leading to the type of problem I'm having. What on earth is gained by avoiding a test that could save a person the risk of this damage, additional surgeries and the potentially permanent damage?

If you and the others on this site who criticize me for posting this information are willing to look the other way, fine, that's your choice. If newbies get scared, I'm sorry. If those looking into banding read my posts and ask their doctors about this information, good. There's room here for my opinion, since so many others aren't shy about voicing theirs regarding me and my posts.

Please STOP telling me to shut up. Not going to happen.

What has been misrepresented? The stat was part of the initial application for approval by the FDA that was submitted by Inamed and was included in the information packet published by Allergan until very recently. If yo feel that my information is incorrect, just back it up with opposing studies. No need to censor me.

As I've stated over and over, there needs to be further esophageal testing to aid in determining if a person's anatomy can tolerate banding. Since so many of us had hiatal hernia repair with bands, getting this testing helps surgeons determine the best procedure for repair, since the repair directly involves the gastro-esophageal junction. This area is subject to high pressure with banding (not from non-compliance) and the nerves can be damaged leading to the type of problem I'm having. What on earth is gained by avoiding a test that could save a person the risk of this damage, additional surgeries and the potentially permanent damage?

If you and the others on this site who criticize me for posting this information are willing to look the other way, fine, that's your choice. If newbies get scared, I'm sorry. If those looking into banding read my posts and ask their doctors about this information, good. There's room here for my opinion, since so many others aren't shy about voicing theirs regarding me and my posts.

Please STOP telling me to shut up. Not going to happen.

How about you actually produce the said study you claim says there is a 25% removal rate? Otherwise it's just more spewing false scare tactics.

http://www.sutterpacific.org/bariatrics/conditions/lap-band-complications.html

This is the copy I was referring to. It's published here by a Bariatrics practice in San Francisco.

You mean this one?

"While unlikely, complications such as slippage can occur in patients who have had LAP-BAND® surgery."

that sentence is on the link you provided...please read it again

**while unlikely, complications (can) occur**

can but not always

You mean this one?

" In the study, 25% of the patients had their band systems removed, two-thirds of which were following adverse events. Esophageal dilatation or dysmotility (poor esophageal function) occurred in 11% of patients"

Only 2/3 of that 25% had it removed after adverse events. 11% of those were Esophageal dilatation, aka overeating and stretching out the pouch or bands too tight- patients fault not band's fault.

So, 2/3 of 25% is 16%. 16% less the 11% who caused it themselves leaves 5%.

Ironically, 5% is the exact percentage reported as band failures. http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/