I have a question, does anyone know HOW long can you keep the band in? My mom is swaying towards the R en Y because she feels the lap band is just a band-aid. I want her to have all the facts and our surgeon told her 10 years??

(Hi mom if you read this...lol...)

I have NEVER heard a time limit on how long you can keep the band. I plan on taking mine to the GRAVE with me. And anyone who tries to remove it sooner better bring some backup!

Good, that is what I thought as well. I will be keeping do mine until death us part as well...lol...

I was told this is for a lifetime. And that's exactly what I'm gonna do.

I don't know the answer. I do know breast implants are supposed to be replaced every ten years. I haven't heard anything about the band. Great job, boo boo, 40 lbs. in a little over a month! Way to go! That is what I am hoping for! Take care.

I remember when I went to my first seminar and that question came up. My surgeon immediately answered it can and should stay in you forever. One lady volunteered that she would reach goal then immediately have hers taken out. He then proceeded to ask her if she had been on diets before and succeeded at them and reached goal weight. She laughingly answered that "yes, she had, more than once, but she then gained it all back." He then asked her what would stop her from gaining it all back again if she had her band removed. Good point. Mine is staying forever.

I am glad that someone started this thread. I was also told that the band stays in forever but one thing that has me curious is aren't we all kind of guinea pigs for this band? Who knows what will happen thirty years down the road? Just curious what everyones thoughts on this are.......

My surgeon said he expects in 1000 years archeologists will be digging us all up and saying "I wonder what all those little plastic circles are for."

In other words, we take them to the grave.