I am in the the process of getting ready.I've seen the shrink and now have papers to prove that I'm not crazy.LOL!! I thought I had my mind made up for the lap band surgery until I visited the surgeon this week. After talking to him I have just about come to the conclusion that maybe the sleeve is the best option for me. I go to a support group meeting Monday that will have patients with all 3 wls types there. I'm hoping to get some good info there. After reading your stories here it sounds like many of you have had good results with the sleeve. Everyone here seems so positive and encouraging. I'm glad I found you...Carole

Hi Carole, I think the support group will help you answer some questions since all groups are represented. You will find that here many members have had revision surgery from the band to the sleeve. So, before making a final choice, I would do more research. Best of luck.

Hi Carole, I had a band, in short, it sucked, and caused a lot of complications for me in only 8 short months. You can search my posts via my profile if you'd like. I'll be honest and tell you that I'll bash the band until my last dying breath, and have no qualms in doing so. The VSG has been fabulous, check out the forum here that is labeled "BAND TO SLEEVE REVISION". You'll get an idea of just how many people have issues with the band, and have to get it out of their bodies.

When talking to patients in support groups, don't just talk to those that have had surgery in the last 6 months. That's the honeymoon period, everyone loves their surgery the first 6 months. Talk to some band patients that are 3-5+ years out, you'll find more dissatisfied/struggling bandsters than you will find those that have made goal, without having another surgery, or food issues such as puking, sliming, productive burping, or food getting stuck. I have yet to meet, speak to, see a post from one band patient that has had their band without a second surgery for at least 10 years. The only one close made it to 9 years, had several other surgeries to "fix" her band in those years, and is now looking to revise to VSG if the band hasn't screwed up her stomach too much.

Here's some interesting info from the manufacturers of the band, you can see from their stats that 25% of band patients need another surgery to revise, remove, replace, or reposition the band within the first 3 years. Also at the bottom, you'll find some research links for band vs. sleeve and some long term results that have been published.

http://www.lapband.com/en/learn_about_lapband/safety_informa tion/

Patients can experience complications after surgery. Most complications are not serious but some may require hospitalization and/or re-operation. In the United States clinical study, with 3-year follow-up reported, 88% of the 299 patients had one or more adverse events, ranging from mild, moderate, to severe. Nausea and vomiting (51%), gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) (34%), band slippage/pouch dilatation (24%) and stoma obstruction (stomach-band outlet blockage) (14%) were the most common post-operative complications. 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, the long-term effects of which are currently unknown. Constipation, diarrhea and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) occurred in 9% of the patients. In 9% of the patients, a second surgery was needed to fix a problem with the band or initial surgery. In 9% of the patients, there was an additional procedure to fix a leaking or twisted access port. The access port design has been improved. Four out of 299 patients (1.3%) had their bands erode into their stomachs. These bands needed to be removed in a second operation. Surgical techniques have evolved to reduce slippage. Surgeons with more laparoscopic experience and more experience with these procedures report fewer complications.

Adverse events that were considered to be non-serious, and which occurred in less than 1% of the patients, included: esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), hiatal hernia (some stomach above the diaphragm), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), abdominal pain, hernia, incisional hernia, infection, redundant skin, dehydration, diarrhea (frequent semi-solid bowel movements), abnormal stools, constipation, flatulence (gas), dyspepsia (upset stomach), eructation (belching), cardiospasm (an obstruction of passage of food through the bottom of the esophagus), hematemsis (vomiting of blood), asthenia (fatigue), fever, chest pain, incision pain, contact dermatitis (rash), abnormal healing, edema (swelling), paresthesia (abnormal sensation of burning, prickly, or tingling), dysmenorrhea (difficult periods), hypochromic anemia (low oxygen carrying part of blood), band system leak, cholecystitis (gall stones), esophageal ulcer (sore), port displacement, port site pain, spleen injury, and wound infection. Be sure to ask your surgeon about these possible complications and any of these medical terms that you dont understand.

Back to Top What are the specific risks and possible complications?

Talk to your doctor about all of the following risks and complications:

• Ulceration
  
• Gastritis (irritated stomach tissue)
  
• Gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation)
  
• Heartburn
  
• Gas bloat
  
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
  
• Dehydration
  
• Constipation
  
• Weight regain
  
• Death
  

Laparoscopic surgery has its own set of possible problems. They include:

• Spleen or liver damage (sometimes requiring spleen removal)
  
• Damage to major blood vessels
  
• Lung problems
  
• Thrombosis (blood clots)
  
• Rupture of the wound
  
• Perforation of the stomach or esophagus during surgery
  

Laparoscopic surgery is not always possible. The surgeon may need to switch to an "open" method due to some of the reasons mentioned here. This happened in about 5% of the cases in the U.S. Clinical Study.

There are also problems that can occur that are directly related to the LAP-BAND? System:

• The band can spontaneously deflate because of leakage. That leakage can come from the band, the reservoir, or the tubing that connects them.
  
• The band can slip
  
• There can be stomach slippage
  
• The stomach pouch can enlarge
  
• The stoma (stomach outlet) can be blocked
  
• The band can erode into the stomach
  

Obstruction of the stomach can be caused by:

• Food
  
• Swelling
  
• Improper placement of the band
  
• The band being over-inflated
  
• Band or stomach slippage
  
• Stomach pouch twisting
  
• Stomach pouch enlargement
  

There have been some reports that the esophagus has stretched or dilated in some patients. This could be caused by:

• Improper placement of the band
  
• The band being tightened too much
  
• Stoma obstruction
  
• Binge eating
  
• Excessive vomiting
  

Patients with a weaker esophagus may be more likely to have this problem. A weaker esophagus is one that is not good at pushing food through to your stomach. Tell your surgeon if you have difficulty swallowing. Then your surgeon can evaluate this.

Weight loss with the LAP-BAND? System is typically slower and more gradual than with some other weight loss surgeries. Tightening the band too fast or too much to try to speed up weight loss should be avoided. The stomach pouch and/or esophagus can become enlarged as a result. You need to learn how to use your band as a tool that can help you reduce the amount you eat.

Infection is possible. Also, the band can erode into the stomach. This can happen right after surgery or years later, although this rarely happens.

Complications can cause reduced weight loss. They can also cause weight gain. Other complications can result that require more surgery to remove, reposition, or replace the band.

Some patients have more nausea and vomiting than others. You should see your physician at once if vomiting persists.

Rapid weight loss may lead to symptoms of:

• Malnutrition
  
• Anemia
  
• Related complications
  

It is possible you may not lose much weight or any weight at all. You could also have complications related to obesity.

If any complications occur, you may need to stay in the hospital longer. You may also need to return to the hospital later. A number of less serious complications can also occur. These may have little effect on how long it takes you to recover from surgery.

If you have existing problems, such as diabetes, a large hiatal hernia (part of the stomach in the chest cavity), Barretts esophagus (severe, chronic inflammation of the lower esophagus), or emotional or psychological problems, you may have more complications. Your surgeon will consider how bad your symptoms are, and if you are a good candidate for the LAP-BAND? System surgery. You also have more risk of complications if you've had a surgery before in the same area. If the procedure is not done laparoscopically by an experienced surgeon, you may have more risk of complications.

Anti-inflammatory drugs that may irritate the stomach, such as aspirin and NSAIDs, should be used with caution.

Some people need folate and Vitamin B12 supplements to maintain normal homocycteine levels. Elevated homocycteine levels can increase risks to your heart and the risk of spinal birth defects.

You can develop gallstones after a rapid weight loss. This can make it necessary to remove your gallbladder.

There have been no reports of autoimmune disease with the use of the LAP-BAND? System. Autoimmune diseases and connective tissue disorders, though, have been reported after long-term implantation of other silicone devices. These problems can include systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. At this time, there is no conclusive clinical evidence that supports a relationship between connective-tissue disorders and silicone implants. Long-term studies to further evaluate this possibility are still being done. You should know, though, that if autoimmune symptoms develop after the band is in place, you may need treatment. The band may also need to be removed. Talk with your surgeon about this possibility. Also, if you have symptoms of autoimmune disease now, the LAP-BAND? System may not be right for you.

Back to Top Removing the LAP-BAND? System

If the LAP-BAND? System has been placed laparoscopically, it may be possible to remove it the same way. This is an advantage of the LAP-BAND? System. However, an "open" procedure may be necessary to remove a band. In the U.S. Clinical Study, 60% of the bands that were removed were done laparoscopically. Surgeons report that after the band is removed, the stomach returns to essentially a normal state.

At this time, there are no known reasons to suggest that the band should be replaced or removed at some point unless a complication occurs or you do not lose weight. It is difficult, though, to say whether the band will stay in place for the rest of your life. It may need to be removed or replaced at some point. Removing the device requires a surgical procedure. That procedure will have all the related risks and possible complications that come with surgery. The risk of some complications, such as erosions and infection, increase with any added procedure.

LapSf Study that I swiped from MacMadame's profile

LapSF Educational presentation to FACS - includes some 2 year results

LapSF Two Year Study

LapSF Five Year Study - abstract only

LapSF Five Year Study - presentation (requires Windows to play)

Literature review on the sleeve - requires $$ to get the full text unfortunately

Sleeve best for over 50 crowd

Video of a sleeve with lots of education discussion

Video of a sleeve that is more about the operation

Ghrelin levels after RnY and sleeve

Ghrelin levels after band and sleeve

Diabetes resolution in RnY vs. Sleeve

Comparison of band to sleeve - literature review

thanks so much for all the information. I really do appreciate. Its great to have people to talk to...Carole

DITTO.....what Tiffykins said!! I had my CRAPband for a whopping 9 months!! Don't do it! My sister just had her revision surgery yesterday, she had her band for a year and a half....not worth having to go through another surgery!

I thought I wanted the lap-band too, until I started reading all of the posts on my doctor's yahoo group. Ultimately, I decided the sleeve was best for me. It required much less maintenance and looking at my oil change and haircut track record, that was a bonus for me. Also, I just saw so many people having complications with their bands! My friend went with the band 1 week before I got sleeved. I have lost 120 lbs and she has lost 35 lbs because her fills just haven't restricted her enough. Overall, I ADORE my sleeve and have not had one day of regret in the past year. I'm sure talking with the support group members will help. But, remember that people are very sensitive about their choice and think that they are RIGHT no matter what! They tend to get very defensive :thumbup1:. Remember, you have to choose what is right for you. Read through the posts, look at some other sites, talk with your support group and doctor and hopefully you'll find what fits you best. Good luck on your journey!

Ban the Band!!!!!! It works, but it is so much more work, and so much more aftercare it just isn't worth it compared to the sleeve. I am going to take my band after surgery and either EBay it for fun, or video tape crushing it in a vice....a litttle payback to the little bugger.

If I Ebay it, I hope it goes to an abusive home.

Jaffa

Now that was good, I wish i would have thought about doing that!!! Those things are just awful!! How are you by the way?? And when are you going to do your revision?

Ban the Band!!!!!! It works, but it is so much more work, and so much more aftercare it just isn't worth it compared to the sleeve. I am going to take my band after surgery and either EBay it for fun, or video tape crushing it in a vice....a litttle payback to the little bugger.

If I Ebay it, I hope it goes to an abusive home.

I had a band for 3-1/2 yrs. Only lost weight within the first 6 months, then nothing after. Was miserable with food getting stuck, etc. Ended up with a hiatal hernia near the band site. Revised to the VSG in January and loving life now!

In my opinion, the band is evil:sneaky2:... I wouldn't recommomend it to anyone except Osama bin Laden.

Sounds like my journey with the band, I lost weight for 6 months and that was it! I started having trouble right after that, could not eat. I would eat 2 bites and spend 1/2 hour in the bathroom, it was awful. Since my sleeve, I'm in love with weight loss again!! I have had NO problems, and I can eat anything!!

The band should be BANNED!!! Short and simple.

PS I like your comment about Bin Laden...lol

I had a band for 3-1/2 yrs. Only lost weight within the first 6 months, then nothing after. Was miserable with food getting stuck, etc. Ended up with a hiatal hernia near the band site. Revised to the VSG in January and loving life now!

In my opinion, the band is evil:sneaky2:... I wouldn't recommomend it to anyone except Osama bin Laden.

I'm going in July.

Oh GREAT news!!! Can't wait to hear how you are doing!!