Here is a link of information for those who are researching the band, their surgeons, what causes complications, how to avoid them.

Fluid -- you should never get a lap band that is too tight with little or no saline, there are two sizes AP small and AP large.

How to know you are in the Green Zone and when you are too tight

Also here is a link for those who are researching BAND-FRIENDLY surgeons that offer great aftercare, Allergan highly recommends a Band friendly surgeon.

Or you should make sure your surgeon has done MANY lap bands and has a very low revision rate.

Also most importantly --

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO TO A LAP-BAND® SPECIALIST

Not all weight loss centers are the same. It's important that your patients go to a LAP-BAND® System Specialist for your LAP-BAND® surgery. Use the LAP-BAND® specialist locator to find a qualified specialist for your patient.

http://www.lapband.com/HCP/product-description/

lol Nana, I have this saved on my desktop lol

lol Nana, I have this saved on my desktop lol

I think this is a very important document for anyone who has a band or who is interested getting one read very carefully....

Ideally, what I've told people here, if their bands are "fitted" properly, they should have wiggle room on an empty band, meaning, they should NOT have tight restriction on an empty band. For most people when they get their bands emptied they should not feel any restriction, it will be the same as removing the band.

Some people have post op edema and swelling which can mimic restriction and this can last up to a few months post op, but after about 1-4 months, that person should need a fill, the lap band is made FOR ADDING SALINE...if some never need a fill, and has tight restriction with no saline...something is wrong.

But -- some people who get the band plus Plication, this is totally different and should not be treated as the same as a regular banded stomach, their stomachs are smaller with the Plication and it may take years before they need any fills, if they ever need fill.s

Per Allergan:

The LAP-BAND AP® System is available in two sizes, Standard and Large. The physician should choose the appropriate size depending upon the patient’s individual anatomy. Most patients with correctly fitted bands report minimal, if any, restriction following resolution post-operative edema until saline is added to the band, regardless of band size.

I was very lucky, I had a great surgeon and bariatric team that handed out these pamphlets before and after surgery. They went into detail and encouraged patients and potential patients to do their research, and helped them along the way if they had questions.

thanks for adding the part with the plication and the band.