http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa070510_mo_botchjobs.58582e96.html

Interesting read.

This lady said she was ashamed to report the problem, because it was an elective surgery and she felt it was her responsibility. I agree that the percentages of complications are much higher than anyone is reporting. This is unfortunate.

A lady I know personally was part of the FDA trials. She started in a 30 something, and is now in a loose 0. Yep, 0. 95% of the time she can only get liquids down, and even then they don't stay down. This went unreported for 3 years because she was afraid it would mean her band had to be removed, and she was equally afraid that without her band she would gain the weight. Finally things got to the point that she went to her doctor, was indeed told the band had to come out, and has refused to go back since. She looks absolutely skeletal now. I don't know if this is true because I have no idea how the regulations work, etc. but supposedly he said something to her like, "Well, even though this has happened, we'll still have good stats" and alluded to the fact that since she had her band as was declining medical treatment, it wouldn't count against his numbers.

that can be ANY surgery ... i saw that and thought it was quite a pathetic jab at lap banding ...

I just saw this report on TV tonight and was very dissappointed at the view that was taken. Yes I do understnad that ALL surgical procedures have a risk and that there are MANY patients who never report them, but why did they have to make it sound so negative about teh Lap Band? They could have jsut as easily chosen breast surg. or hammer toe surg. Why do they always pick on the fat people? It seems like just ONE MORE jab that we are fat because of our own fault!!

IMHO... for whats its worth.

I think perhaps it's because LapBand is SO popular right now AND that it is being sold as so safe, less-invasive with such a small percentage of problems. I agree that there are many complications not reported or tracked, which scews the numbers when a person is researching their options. It's basically misleading, but part of the problem is that people are not reporting these issues to the authorities, such as their local Medical Board who investigate doctors and report their problems and/or lawsuit outcomes. Out of desperation, overweight people put themselves at risk and want to believe, but the truth is, there are much more complications than are being reported and tracked. I find that information helpful and hopefully beneficial to those who want to know the truth.

This has me curious since I'm in the WFAA area and they didn't reveal the surgeon, however, when I had the surgery, I knew there were risks. There still ARE risks now that I'm banded. I've accepted that and if anything goes wrong, I'm not going to whine to the media about it because it was MY decision to have the surgery.