I went to the bariatric center today and met with the surgeon and dietician. They told me that the lap band is almost never used anymore because it not have as good of results as the by pass and sleeve. They suggested the by pass or sleeve, but told me it is my choice. My first choice was the lap band because it is less invasive and can be reversed if needed. I thought there would be less risks to the lap band, I don't mind if it takes me longer to lose, I prefer a slower weight loss of 2 pounds per week, and the doctor told me that actually the lap band is more risky. She told me 5 percent risk of erosion of the stomach and it becoming dislodged. Also, she said that a 40 to 50 percent of excess weight is lost usually and that keeping it off for 5 years is the average. This just doesn't make sense to me. What have all of you heard? I'm thinking of talking with another bariatric center because I really wanted the lap band but am starting to have different thoughts. I also don't want to work with a team that have such a negative look at the procedure i want to get.

cheryl

I would get a second opinion for sure. I don't have any specific facts to give you, but that sounds ALLLL wrong to me. That is anti-everything I have researched and been told about the lap-band myself.

Well I am 2 months post op and I am down almost 65 pounds. The lap band procedure requires much more follow up than the other procedures. I think a lot of doctors don't want to worry about the follow up. I am very happy with my decision. I would encourage you to talk to several doctors so that you can get different views on the matter so you can make the right choice for you.

I went to the bariatric center today and met with the surgeon and dietician. They told me that the lap band is almost never used anymore because it not have as good of results as the by pass and sleeve. They suggested the by pass or sleeve, but told me it is my choice. My first choice was the lap band because it is less invasive and can be reversed if needed. I thought there would be less risks to the lap band, I don't mind if it takes me longer to lose, I prefer a slower weight loss of 2 pounds per week, and the doctor told me that actually the lap band is more risky. She told me 5 percent risk of erosion of the stomach and it becoming dislodged. Also, she said that a 40 to 50 percent of excess weight is lost usually and that keeping it off for 5 years is the average. This just doesn't make sense to me. What have all of you heard? I'm thinking of talking with another bariatric center because I really wanted the lap band but am starting to have different thoughts. I also don't want to work with a team that have such a negative look at the procedure i want to get.

cheryl

I'd find another doctor, seriously. It sounds like they are in it for the money and not necessarily what's best for you. The band is actually gaining in popularity for it's effectiveness and because it carries fewer complications than the other two procedures. I've lost a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time and I feel great. I have friends that have had the other procedures and they wish they had tried the band first. The sleeve is probably the most risky, if you want to know the truth, one of my friends nearly died from sleeve complications. Yes, she lost the weight very quickly but she (like others I know) have aged drastically as a result of the skin not being able to keep up with the loss. Her face is wrinkled - she didn't have wrinkles before the surgery. I am not exaggerating when I say she's aged 15 years in a single year. Meanwhile...the band has me looking like I just graduated from highschool again. Honestly.

Thanks for your quick responses to both of you. Me and my husband were so disappointed after the meeting. Before the meeting I had heard more good then bad about the lap band vs the other wls. My husband said the same thing, that he thought that maybe they just don't want to have to follow up with all the fills. Congrats on your 60 pound loss and good luck on your surgery.

cheryl

First of all no weight loss surgery is a success unless you want it to be. You can have all three and it is up to you to make it work and keep it off. Erosion comes mainly from overeating and pressing the band into your stomach. All weight loss surgeries there are complications but 5% is not a lot if you look at the whole picture. If a million people have the band and only 5% had complications or gained their weight back then that is a very small number. The decision is basically yours but I have no regrets and I am 31/2 years post op

Congrats on your 32.5 pounds weight loss lapbandguru. I think i am going to find another doctor, I agree. It does sound like they may be in it for the money. I also heard that the band is becoming more popular because of its effectiveness and fewer complications. Thanks for letting me know about your friends that had the other procedures and wish they had tried the band first. I had no idea the sleeve is the most risky, I'd have thought the bypass was. I'm sorry to hear about your friends but am very happy how it turned out for you by going with the lap band.

Wow, great job Cheryl2586. I'm happy for you to reach your goal and keep it off for so long. I hope i can do the same. I do consider 5 percent a big number. i guess i look at it as 5 out of 100 people. It is good to know the erosion happens if you eat too much because my intention is not to do that.

I am anti-band. Well, I'm anti-pain/disappointment, pro-helping fellow human beings, actually. I had the band and do NOT recommend it.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/lap-band-surgery-half-patients-complications/story?id=13187452

This is just one thing to help you in your research. You should definitely read everything you can find on the subject. You'll find many people who are very happy with their bands. I wasn't one of them.

Thanks for the information Ivy. It is an interesting article i bookmarked it and will show the article to my husband when he comes home for the pros and cons file while i make my decision.

For what it's worth...I am an RN who has been banded since March 2012. I'm just a few pounds shy of my goal and will probably revise it downward another 15 pounds. My experience with the band has been nothing but positive. I credit that to having an experienced, skilled surgeon in a highly accredited bariatric program, and my compliance with follow-up. As a nurse I researched my options exhaustively! There are naysayers to be sure, and people who have not been successful (often due to noncompliance in my opinion). A thorough look at the literature will show the band is a great option with the lowest mortality rate. And while there can be complications, they are minor relative to the complications with the other surgeries. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

Thanks for your response MountainMan. I'm a RN too. Congratulations on being close to goal. I'm very interested in what others think about the comments made to me today in the bariatric clinic as I heard that it was a better choice then the other surgeries so was very surprised when they seemed to be trying to talk me out of it. I am going to talk to as many people as possible and read as much literature as possible and really would like to be with a doctor that not only has a lot of success in placing lap bands safely but believes in them as well.

HI, Im yet to be banded (surgery date 9/19)..and understand your concerns.

I would definately meet with other doctors and if and when you do I would be sure to ask them about what this doctor told you about lap band and ask their "take" on that. It would be very very interesting to see what their response would be to what they said about the other surgeries being done more.....and WHY????

Please let us know how it goes and please let us know what the other doctors say.....

Yes, I will let you all know what the other doctors say once I find them. lol. BTW, Congrats on losing 10 pounds already.

I am not sure why a surgeon would say those things but the sleeve is fairly new and not really tested for long term success.. I am in a support group and there are a few sleeve patients and by pass.. they all look so bad. their skin is so unhealthy looking and they all have serious malnutrition.. not to say all sleeve or by pass patients are the same because I know there are complications with band patients as well. but so far in the group I am in the band folks are happy and healthy... I think another opinion would be good..

I'm not sure why she told me those things either and am glad i brought my husband with me because he heard the same thing i did. She did admit the sleeve is new, I think she said 5 years they have been using them. So it is hard to use statistics with the sleeve, but she seemed to prefer the sleeve over the lap band. I prefer the lap band because they don't have to cut out some of my stomach, I don't have to wait for the stitches to heal increasing my chance of infection and the surgical incision line coming open. Now i have to admit that i know nothing about these surgeries but sure have lots to learn. That gave me an idea. I should take a ceu nursing class on wls. That would give me facts and not opinions related to which surgery is beneficial to the hospital or doctor.