Five Common LAP-BAND Myths Debunked

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

The adjustable gastric band, such as the LAP-BAND or Realize Band, is a band that goes around the top portion of your stomach to create a small pouch, or stoma. The pouch fills up faster than your regular stomach, so you feel full on less food. That’s how you lose weight.

A lot of lap-band rumors have been swirling around, but many of them are just that: rumors. There’s a good chance that a lot of these rumors have been started by surgeons who prefer to perform gastric sleeve or gastric bypass operations. Here are five common lap-band myths, where they came from, and what the truth really is.

1. The LAP-BAND Doesn’t Work

It is true that you are unlikely to lose as much weight in the first year after getting your LAP-BAND as you are in the first year after getting gastric bypass or the gastric sleeve. It also doesn’t interfere with nutrient absorption the way the gastric bypass does.

However, long-term success rates are far more important, and the data on the lap-band is positive. In one study, patients lost an average of 70% of excess weight by 2 years post-op (Michaelson et al, 2013). After 5 years, another study found an average of (Ponce et al, 2014). And, after a long 15 years post-op, a different study noted an average excess weight loss of 47.1% (O’Brien et al, 2013).

The lap-band works for patients who follow the prescribed diet – just like the sleeve, bypass, and other WLS options work if you eat right.

2. All Bands Are Being Removed

This simply isn’t true. The band is intended to be a permanent weight control solution, and is removed only in cases where complications occur. This can usually be prevented with proper placement and adjustment, and high patient compliance. In one study, less than one out of five bands were removed in an average follow-up of 3 years (Yildiz et al, 2012). Long-term satisfaction and weight loss are very possible with the lap-band.

3. Nobody Is Putting in Bands Anymore

It’s true that the surgeon closest to you may not be offering lap-bands, and you may be seeing a lot more ads for the sleeve. Still, Apollo Health reports that 245 U.S. surgeons offered LAP-BANDS last year, and 40,000 patients opted for an adjustable gastric band.

If you are considering the LAP-BAND, it’s important to make sure you know where you can get it adjusted. You’ll need the initial fill a few weeks after you get your band inserted, and you may need to get it adjusted a few times over the next several weeks or months.

You should also be sure you know where you would go in an emergency situation when you needed an unfill. This is good practice whether you are at home or planning a vacation.

4. The Sleeve Is the Best Procedure

The “best” procedure is the one that’s right for you. That may be a different procedure than the one that’s best for someone else. The sleeve may be best for rapid weight loss, but an overwhelming majority of potential weight loss surgery patients favor the band. In fact, a study this year found that 13 times as many patients had a favorable opinion towards the band compared to the bypass (Obesity Today).

These are some of the reasons why you might prefer the gastric band over other procedures.

• You have a lower BMI.
  
• You may want to become pregnant in the future.
  
• You do not like the idea of having your digestive tract rearranged or your stomach permanently removed.
  
• You do not want a high risk of nutritional deficiencies and the resulting health problems, such as anemia and osteoporosis.
  

5. The LAP-BAND Will Not Fix My Diabetes

It is true that the lap-band does not have the same reputation for resolving diabetes as the gastric bypass. It also does not work as quickly, since it does not affect hormones as much. Still, it is considered to be effective.

Patients who lose weight with the gastric band are likely to see improvements in diabetes, including lower blood sugar levels. They are often able to reduce their doses or stop using their diabetes medication. One study of gastric band patients found a 73% decrease in diabetes at the 2-year post-op mark, and a significant decrease in diabetes medications after 3 years, with one-third of patients going off medications. Almost one-third of patients achieved long-term resolution by 5 years post-op (Courcolas et al, 2015).

The Conclusion: Do Your Homework

Weight loss surgery is a big deal. It’s not just a question of whether to get it, but of which one to get. When you’re making a decision that will affect the rest of your life, it’s best to do your homework. Don’t just depend on what you may read on the internet or hear from people who may not know all the facts. Check them out, and make the decision that’s best for you. It may be the lap-band, and it may not.

--

Yildiz BD, et al. 2012. Adv Clin Ex Med. Long-term efficacy of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding--retrospective analysis.

O’Brien et al. “Long-Term Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: Fifteen Year Follow-Up of Adjustable Gastric Banding and a Systematic Review of the Bariatric Surgical Literature.” January, 2013.

Ponce, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of the Adjustable Gastric Band – Pooled Interim Analysis of the Apex and HERO studies at 48 weeks.” Current Medical Research and Opinion, 2014.

Michelson et al. “LAP-BAND for Lower-BMI: 2-Year Results from the Multicenter Pivotal Study.” Obesity Journal, 2013.

Data on File, Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. Austin, TX.

Tan, Anna. Obesity News Today, July 7, 2015. Survey Reveals That While Weight Loss Surgery Still Not Common, Gastric Bands Are Most Favored Option.

Courcoulas et al. “Three-Year Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery vs Lifestyle Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment.” JAMA, 2015.

[Elode 8,093]

@@Alex Brecher Do you still have one?

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

@@Alex Brecher Do you still have one?

13+ years and still going strong.

[Elode 8,093]

Wow I was wondering about that. So you still get fills? Is it something you will have forever? I guess you're happy with it and it works for you! Congratulations! @@Alex Brecher

Oh and will you're here what does the number mean on my profile it say "6,049 excellent" what is that? Your says 6,379 so you have one too.

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

Wow I was wondering about that. So you still get fills? Is it something you will have forever? I guess you're happy with it and it works for you! Congratulations! @@Alex Brecher

Oh and will you're here what does the number mean on my profile it say "6,049 excellent" what is that? Your says 6,379 so you have one too.

I didn't get a fill for a few years but just recently had a complete unfill when I was sick and dehydrated. I just had it filled back to normal last week. Love the adjustability factor a lot. Hope it keeps on working for me. There are many other great options if not

Those #'s are from an old reputation system we used. They don't really mean much today.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

I didn't get a fill for a few years but just recently had a complete unfill when I was sick and dehydrated. I just had it filled back to normal last week. Love the adjustability factor a lot. Hope it keeps on working for me. There are many other great options if not

Those #'s are from an old reputation system we used. They don't really mean much today.

Sounds most unpleasant to be dehydrated to the point of being completely drained on two counts. Welcome back to being fully operational. Have you had any significant unfills before this? If so, care to share the reasons? I'm beginning to do some research regarding my band and the likelihood of keeping it.

"Reputation system" has a medieval sound. It's to my benefit that it's been dropped or I might be in point debt or on the rack.

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

I didn't get a fill for a few years but just recently had a complete unfill when I was sick and dehydrated. I just had it filled back to normal last week. Love the adjustability factor a lot. Hope it keeps on working for me. There are many other great options if not

Those #'s are from an old reputation system we used. They don't really mean much today.

Sounds most unpleasant to be dehydrated to the point of being completely drained on two counts. Welcome back to being fully operational. Have you had any significant unfills before this? If so, care to share the reasons? I'm beginning to do some research regarding my band and the likelihood of keeping it.

"Reputation system" has a medieval sound. It's to my benefit that it's been dropped or I might be in point debt or on the rack.

I had one unfill a few years back to due reflux. I changed my lifestyle and went on meds for reflux and things got back to normal after that.

[gowalking 10,790]

Thanks for posting this Alex. I often feel like I have to defend my choice of WLS and the point is to do what is best for you, not necessarily what is the 'hot' procedure or to feel pressured into getting something you don't feel is right for you. Oh...and one more thing. I know that the band is often a good choice for lower BMI people but the band still can work for higher BMI folks as well and I'm proof of that.

[Tssiemer1 549]

My surgeon seems like he just flat out won't do lap band anymore.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

@@Tssiemer1 -- Does it "seem" that way from other patients you've talked with or has he said it in so many words?

Edited November 2, 2015 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[Tssiemer1 549]

Said it in so many words at the seminar I went to.

[Babbs 14,680]

Mine flat out said they don't do them anymore.

One interesting observation I've had since surgery. On the occasion I tell someone I had WLS, their first response is always to say with some excitement "Oh, did you have the lap band surgery?" And when I tell them the actual surgery I had (sleeve), their excitement seems to fade and I get the blank stare. Do any of you that tell people run into that, also?

Seems it's much more of an acceptable and recognizable procedure to laymen than the others.

[Tssiemer1 549]

I didn't even know what a sleeve was until I talked to someone at work who had it done several years ago.

I was just going to get by pass whenever I was thinking about doing it.

[MitchieMay 27]

I am glad that you posted this Alex. We need good and accurate information because this is a very serious health dilemma and a decision that people need to be well informed to make. My take away from your message is that there is no one size fits all AND there is no "mine is better than yours". Perfect! We really don't need anyone feeling a need to defend because of their individual complications. I am finding out that there is a percentage of complications with any of the WLS procedures. I just pray that I will not have any with the RNY that I have elected to undergo! We are all in this together, same goal, and hopefully for the same outcomes.

[MitchieMay 27]

BTW, I just purchased The Big Book on the Gastric Bypass. So glad did! Love it! Thank you for trying to share knowledge, hope and encouragement with all of us!