I read all these horror stories on people having to get there bands removed and all the problems - are there are good in it - is there any one out there that has had their band for a long period of time and are doing fine ? i need hope since i went in on Feb 14th only to come out with a lver tumor and no band - then on march 7th got it removed and banded and now on april 5th gallbladder removal - i need to hear something positive

Yes, it has been stated many times on these boards that the long term banders are off living their lives because food and losing weight is no longer at the forefront of their minds.... people often come back when an issue arises but complications are less than 3%.

Congrats on your band!

How long term are you looking for? I'm coming up on two years and I still love the band and the control it gives me over my eating. I still have 30lbs to go, just about, and it's a long haul at this point, but the band is still totally worth it.

Alexandra is on the boards. She's had hers three years or more? Check in with her as well.....

Tnix, I've had my band for 3.75 years, and have just been diagnosed with a slip. I'm having another surgery tomorrow. But even in spite of this, it's been an amazing 3+ years and I've lost a significant amount of weight that I have never and would never have been able to lose on my own. That's what this is all about. Would I do it again? Yes. Thankfully I have insurance to cover the costs, because without that it would have been impossible. But medically speaking the risk of surgery and the complications of banding have all been WELL worth it. I'm as close to normal as I've ever been in my life, and it's just a flat-out miracle.

I also love this thread. Here I sit one week after having my band replaced. It seems to me that a lot of bands slip. What have I learned? In three years of having the band I have learned a lot. I am profoundly different than I was three years ago. I have learned that it is the journey that is important not the destination. I can say this because this has been a very complicated and enlightening journey. Having the band allowed me the courage to accomplish many goals in my life that I never thought possible. Yet, I was unsatisfied by my accomplishments. Even the significant weight loss that I had accomplished seemed hollow in terms of what I expected it to be. I found that I had lived my entire adult live in terms of what some future accomplishments or goals would bring me. When these goals were met, I was left with the reality of living each day in the moment and finding acceptance in myself in the moment. I feel that my band slipping was a blessing in disguise. It made me look at things from a new perspective and realize every moment is a blessing. Today is a perfect and beautiful moment. I am the perfect person in this moment. Please enjoy every day in the moment and focus on your daily journey. Love yourselves; we are all brave and worthy. Jennifer

I'm nearly 3 years out and haven't had any issues. Obviously that doesn't mean I wont have any going forward, but honestly, I would not be all that upset if I needed to get my band replaced. Having it taken away altogether would upset me though!