I think I've started to think that the band is the way to go. I just am curious because it is such a new procedure, how many of you had it and what kind of complications you may have encountered. Also, it is reversible, correct?

The adjustable gastric band (Lap-Band or Realize Band) is not all that new any more. The Lap-Band has been approved for use in the USA since 2001, the Realize Band since 2007, and other brands of bands have been used in the rest of the world since the 1980's.

I had a band slip (resolved with a complete unfill) and a port flip (corrected with surgery), but I loved my band.

You're correct that band surgery is reversible, though I wouldn't recommend doing that unless it was to treat a complication. Just because it's reversible doesn't mean that the band is easy to remove.

RNY (gastric bypass) is also reversible, though not easily. VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) is not reversible, and only the "switch" part of DS (duodenal switch) is reversible.

Good luck with your decision. It's good that you're doing research. I suggest thatyou carefully weigh what other bariatric patients and a bariatric surgeon tell you, and pick the procedure that feels right for you, to meet your weight loss needs and your post-op lifestyle.

Jean

Edited January 2, 201412 yr by Jean McMillan

Sorry I meant the I band, plication.

The "iBand" is also reversible. My doctor did plication with my surgery 6/20/13. Because the stomach is sutured together, if you have complications that can removed to suture as well as the band. I like having plication, it reduces the chance of a slip and even with out a fill I am losing weight. It has a higher percent of weightloss too. (Somewhere between 5-10%) I highly recommend it.

Has anyone converted to the iBand?