What do we know about 10yrs down the road for a lapband? And who on here has had a band longer than 8 years?

This is a great question! I, too, would love to know the answer. In researching the surgery, I saw that it's been performed for about 23 years (I think since 1984 ... I was in first grade...). However, I'd love to hear from someone who's been banded for many years.

I've wondered about this too. I keep telling everyone that when I'm dead in the box all that will be left of me is bones and my band.

I was just thinking of posting something similar! I keep going back and forth wondering if this is really what I want to do. Now that gastric bypass has been around for years we are starting hear some disturbing information about the long term effects and wondering what those long term (5, 10, 15+ years) might be.

I remembered this topic being discussed before so I went and found the thread. Check out http://www.lapbandtalk.com/do-you-have-t28883.html . It answers a lot of these questions.

I was just thinking of posting something similar! I keep going back and forth wondering if this is really what I want to do. Now that gastric bypass has been around for years we are starting hear some disturbing information about the long term effects and wondering what those long term (5, 10, 15+ years) might be.

Remember, gastric bypass is about rearranging the plumbing. Just intuitively it seems so likely that this would eventually cause problems. The lap band is not a permanent change of the human anatomy. It is nothing more than a belt. It may turn out that this causes some unforseen problems, but the logic of it would seem to indicate that this procedure is so much less risky.

I completely agree that logically the lap band would be far less risky due the procedure being dramatically less invasive. I would still like to hear more about long term weight loss and possible side effects/complications from the band.

I completely agree that logically the lap band would be far less risky due the procedure being dramatically less invasive. I would still like to hear more about long term weight loss and possible side effects/complications from the band.

I agree completely that this information would be useful. The problem is, the band has not been around long enough to get that information, especially in the U.S. The Aussie's have been doing the lap band for about 10 years now, as I understand it. Some of the Aussies on this forum have had the band over five years. That may be the most long term information that is out there.

I well considered all of these things that one can worry about, and several dozen more increasingly unlikely possibilities, as is my nature.

My conclusion is, that the statistical odds are several orders of magnitude greater that I will last longer WITH the Band than without it.

Ditto here! Well said!

The first band that was used, back 20+ years ago mentioned by Lara, was not adjustable----and we all know how well our bands work without fill!!!! So those stats do not pertain to wht we have.

To me, the ability to have it removed, in the event of any problems was the big seller. I am a cancer survivor, and that increases my odds that at some point I may be fighting it again----and this band I see as being able to help me be healthier (by being much lighter) if I do ever have to fight it again. Plus if need be I can have my fill removed, so getting nutrition would not be an issue.

The band does have risk attached----but so did morbid obesity!

Kat

My conclusion is, that the statistical odds are several orders of magnitude greater that I will last longer WITH the Band than without it.

Jack,

You always seem to know just what to say. I agree with you 100%.

Folks, I'm starting to get a little worried about Jack. I ran into him the other day and he was buying a Superman outfit. On the back was embroidered the phrase: "Lap Band God."

If we are not careful here Jack's head will gain back what he lost from his belly. :heh:

Oh GREAT!!!! I have never "seen" Jack...and they embroidered it on the back??? Now I won't know to bow down until he is walking away!

Kat