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

NurseCheryl,

Make sure in your research that you Google---- Gastric Banding + Referred Left Shoulder Pain.

It's quite common. Being an RN, you probably know about the Vagus nerve that goes from the base of the skull down into the diaphragm, stomach, etc. The band's presence adversely affects that nerve in quite a large number of people. Even on this forum you'll see threads titled, "Back pain; shoulder pain" every day. It's due to that nerve and the band irritating or damaging it. Some people think it's a "good" thing---the consider it their "stop eating" sign. However, one that nerve is screwed up, it has a tendency to stay screwed up. It should never be considered a positive event, that pain.

Just something else to add to your long list of things to research.

The VSG isn't new. It's newer as a weight loss surgery, but gastrectomies have been done since the 1880s. Patients with severe peptic ulcers often had to have part of their stomachs removed. One side effect was weight loss. The part of the stomach that produces Ghrelin is often removed during VSG.

If you read actual studies that take patient compliance into consideration, only 5% of Lap Band patients have complications by no fault of their own. Plus, when the patient is compliant with their surgeon and their rules, the long term weight loss is actually comparable to the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass.

Here's an actual study to support this information: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/

Weight loss and success with the band really comes down to patient compliance. You will hear a lot of horror stories about the band, but what the majority of those people won't tell you is that they caused their own complications and didn't do what was necessary to be successful with their band.

As for myself, I've lost 227 pounds in the 19 months I've been banded. That is about 87% of my excess body weight- and I'm still losing. I'm living proof that you can lose as much with the band as you're determined to work at losing.

Best wishes.

any WLS has complications

no one is better than the other

i find it basically boil down to what you want......and what you truly want to do

what happens to ms joe blow may or may not happen to you.......who can say, none of us can see into the future........which ever you get, do your best and comply to how to use it..

ps, that small risk that the band (has) was well worth the risk for me

i got my mobility back and my life........yes, i'd do it again in a second.......

and i'd recommend it to anyone who asked BUT stress, unless you change what you eat, begin to exercise and have a mental attitude change, NO WLS will help.....my opinion

Make sure when you find another surgeon to talk to, ask about lap band with plication. Its sort like the sleeve combined with the lapband. My surgeon told me it also reduces the risk of slippage to almost nothing and its also reversable. Plus, if you lose your band for whatever reason you can still keep the plication. I've not had a fill yet and have lost 35 lbs. I had my band 5/10/13 and I feel when I finally get my first fill, I won't need as much. Could be wrong, but thats what I'm hoping at least.

I had similar experience accept I wanted the sleeve but my doctor discouraged and said I was a soft candidate for it and said he didn't feel comftrable taking my money specially since I'm self paid!!! Not only did he give me an honest opinion but instead of charging me 19 thousand he only charged me 14!!! My advise to you-google his name to find out more about him!!! I'll be more then glad to share with you my dr's name!!

One doctor's opinion is just that: one doctor's opinion. I got told by my doctor that average weight loss with the band was 60% but it didn't mean you couldn't lose 100% of your excess weight (and I did), that 60% was the average across ALL banders including the ones who didn't lose a lb due to non-compliance. That's why it's called an average.

In Australia the lapband is still the most used wls in the country, and Australia surgeons have been placing bands for a lot longer than US doctors. And in Australian studies, the prognosis for banded patients, and the longevity of the band, come up very favourably. It often makes me wonder why there is such a difference? Is it anything to do with the fact that Australia has socialised medicine and most private insurance usually automatically cover the band that we get focussed, frequent aftercare that doesn't cost the earth? Or the fact that we don't have to suffer with complications because we can see our doctors NOW if something doesn't feel right? Or that our surgeons give us rules we can live with for life that makes Australian banders generally do well?

I hear ALL the time how the longevity of the band is in dispute but talk to any premier Australian bariatric surgeon and you'll probably get a different answer. Weird, huh?

My suggestion is if you want a band, make sure you get the best, most supportive physician you can. That's absolutely crucial. Aftercare and experience is important with a band, so you want the best team backing you up as you can possibly afford.

NurseCheryl,

Make sure in your research that you Google---- Gastric Banding + Referred Left Shoulder Pain.

It's quite common. Being an RN, you probably know about the Vagus nerve that goes from the base of the skull down into the diaphragm, stomach, etc. The band's presence adversely affects that nerve in quite a large number of people. Even on this forum you'll see threads titled, "Back pain; shoulder pain" every day. It's due to that nerve and the band irritating or damaging it. Some people think it's a "good" thing---the consider it their "stop eating" sign. However, one that nerve is screwed up, it has a tendency to stay screwed up. It should never be considered a positive event, that pain.

Just something else to add to your long list of things to research.

The VSG isn't new. It's newer as a weight loss surgery, but gastrectomies have been done since the 1880s. Patients with severe peptic ulcers often had to have part of their stomachs removed. One side effect was weight loss. The part of the stomach that produces Ghrelin is often removed during VSG.

If you are unhappy with your decision to get the band why would you be on a lapband website bad mouthing the band. I do believe there is a website for unhappy bandsters to moan and complain about why the band did not work for them. All in all there have been more successes with the band then not.

I wanted to thank all of you for the information you have given me. It has been so helpful in my research so far. I am going to an information session at another hospital today. I listened to a video online about wls that was put on by this hospital. They still do lap band surgeries, at least per this video, and said it is less risky then the other two surgeries, but takes longer to lose the weight, they added that slower weight loss is healthier. They had a positive take on all the surgeries and said most of them have little risk in comparison to the risk of obesity. Both of the hospitals have great reputations and I feel safe going to either of the two. I'll let you know what they say.

I wanted to thank all of you for the information you have given me. It has been so helpful in my research so far. I am going to an information session at another hospital today. I listened to a video online about wls that was put on by this hospital. They still do lap band surgeries, at least per this video, and said it is less risky then the other two surgeries, but takes longer to lose the weight, they added that slower weight loss is healthier. They had a positive take on all the surgeries and said most of them have little risk in comparison to the risk of obesity. Both of the hospitals have great reputations and I feel safe going to either of the two. I'll let you know what they say.

my dr told me that while the band may (be slower at the beginning) as compared to the other WLS, that in 2 yrs, it kinda evens out on the weight loss totals (band vs bypass etc)....and i can say that without a doubt, the more one puts into it (via eating better/exercising) the more can lose based on (findings). my dr told me i was expected to lose about 70 in the first year......actually it was more like 130+.....and there are others....who lost way more then me in their first year....

doesnt really matter how long it takes one to lose weight, as long as they lose it and get healthy..its not a racing contest....it is for better health.....all the best to you.

If you are unhappy with your decision to get the band why would you be on a lapband website bad mouthing the band. I do believe there is a website for unhappy bandsters to moan and complain about why the band did not work for them. All in all there have been more successes with the band then not.

I'm trying to help the original poster in her research by giving her pertinent information. Does that answer your rude question?

I'm trying to help the original poster in her research by giving her pertinent information. Does that answer your rude question?

I wasn't being rude. I was just wondering why if you were/are unhappy with your band you would be on a website with banded people. It doesn't work for everyone but if it failed me or I failed it I wouldn't be on here trying to make others feel like it's a bad decision. I can say that most people on this site have been very happy with their bands.

I wasn't being rude. I was just wondering why if you were/are unhappy with your band you would be on a website with banded people. It doesn't work for everyone but if it failed me or I failed it I wouldn't be on here trying to make others feel like it's a bad decision. I can say that most people on this site have been very happy with their bands.

It's called Lapbandtalk last time I looked. I had TWO lap bands. I'm talking about them. It's not called IHeartLapbands. People who have not yet chosen the Lap Band might appreciate knowing the negative aspects, as well. At least, those who are intelligent and would like to make an informed decision about their health would. So, your comment was rude because there was simply nothing in any of my posts that anyone should have gotten upset over. I gave the original poster information that may be of use to her. It's not up to anyone else to decide.

Carolina Girl, Thanks for letting me know what your doctor said. I don't care if it takes me 2 or even 3 years to lose the entire 100 pounds as long as i lose it and keep it off this time. It is great to hear that he/she said that in 2 years it all evens out. It makes sense that t

he more one puts into it via eating better and exercising the more the person will lose and better chance to keep the weight off. Congrats on your loss of 130+ pounds.