I had my surgery 08/16. I did a lot of research, talked to people who have had the surgery and prayed about it. I feel I made the right decision, but what bothers me is that I had to make my decision (partly) based on information from people who were banded no earlier than 2005. I think I found one person who was banded in 2004. Other than that, when I look at the banding dates of most people in this forum or other forums it is around 2004/05. I know all the statistics and such, but where are all the people banded in 2001/2002? Either: A. they are doing fine with their band and don't need to read these forums, or B. They have had the band removed for some reason and don't want to fool with ever doing this again. I don't know.....it just bothers me that I can't pick the brains of Bandsters any earlier than 2004...Honestly, what are the REAL implications of what I have done ten years down the road? Again, I know I have stats, but I want to talk to people who have "been there, done that". The poll about "are you glad you got the band". Everyone seems to be happy about their band two weeks, one month, one year postop, but what about 5 years out?

I had my surgery 08/16. I did a lot of research, talked to people who have had the surgery and prayed about it. I feel I made the right decision, but what bothers me is that I had to make my decision (partly) based on information from people who were banded no earlier than 2005. I think I found one person who was banded in 2004. Other than that, when I look at the banding dates of most people in this forum or other forums it is around 2004/05. I know all the statistics and such, but where are all the people banded in 2001/2002? Either: A. they are doing fine with their band and don't need to read these forums, or B. They have had the band removed for some reason and don't want to fool with ever doing this again. I don't know.....it just bothers me that I can't pick the brains of Bandsters any earlier than 2004...Honestly, what are the REAL implications of what I have done ten years down the road? Again, I know I have stats, but I want to talk to people who have "been there, done that". The poll about "are you glad you got the band". Everyone seems to be happy about their band two weeks, one month, one year postop, but what about 5 years out?

The FDA approved the LAP-BAND on June 5, 2001, New Device Approval so anyone with a band before that date was a member of the FDA trials.

The normal course for people who are banded a long time is to stop posting on weight loss message boards, as the newness of the Lap-Band lifestyle diminishes.

In essence, those older bandsters have assimilated the behavior modifications needed for success into their lives, and they no longer feel the need to be on weight loss message boards.

By the way, I was banded September 13, 2004.

The FDA approved the LAP-BAND on June 5, 2001, New Device Approval so anyone with a band before that date was a member of the FDA trials.

Wasn't the band was approved for use in places outside the US for 10 years or so prior to the US FDA approval? Such as Mexico and Sweeden?

In essence, those older bandsters have assimilated the behavior modifications needed for success into their lives, and they no longer feel the need to be on weight loss message boards.

Yeah, that is kind of what I figured. and actually i should have put in a year of 2003. I know it was only approved in 2001 so I am sure the people banded in 2001 are few and far between.

In essence, those older bandsters have assimilated the behavior modifications needed for success into their lives, and they no longer feel the need to be on weight loss message boards.

Yeah, that is kind of what I figured. and actually i should have put in a year of 2003. I know it was only approved in 2001 so I am sure the people banded in 2001 are few and far between.

They are very rare. I have only talked to a couple of people who were banded before me, and I know I was one of the very first people with a VG band.

I think people who are on the boards after years either like the social aspect of the message boards, or they want to give back, or they are selling something. :biggrin1:

Most people have totally adjusted to having a Lap-Band at the 18-month mark, and very few people who are beyond that 18-month point are still posting, because they have already learned what they needed to know about the band.

There are quite a few people who were banded before 2001. Before it was FDA approved people had to cross the border to get a band, it's the only way they could get it. I rarely meet any of them but as you say, they have little reason or need to post.

There are quite a few people who were banded before 2001. Before it was FDA approved people had to cross the border to get a band, it's the only way they could get it. I rarely meet any of them but as you say, they have little reason or need to post.

Well, that's true. But in the good old USA, very few people were banded before 2002. The Lap-Band procedure was pioneered and perfected on animals in the early 1990s, and the first Lap-Band surgery on humans was performed in Belgium in September 1993. However, the procedure underwent several years of trials in the United States before it was approved for use here; the first FDA-approved clinical trials took place in June 1995, and the Lap-Band system was finally approved for use in the Unted States in June 2001. As of April 2007, the Lap-Band procedure had been performed about 300,000 times worldwide.

I met a lady at a support group that was banded in 2001.......... to look at her you would NEVER think she was obese......... she only came back to the group because she needed to RENEW her zest and to offer help to the newbies.

The Doc who did my phych eval told me she was banded '9 years ago! :omg: I believe she went to Mexico to have it done. She looks fabulous and was the nicest person. She was very down to earth and she is still doing great. She also looks like she has never had a weight issue in her life. She is the one who finally made me feel not so scared about the band, and actually instilled much excitement.

Take care!

Carey

I was Banded in 2001 (in Mexico, one week after FDA approval). I was friends with people Banded earlier... and knew one girl from New Zealand who was two years out when I was Banded. Sadly, she ended up converting to an RNY (well, not sad for her)... after she had two slips.

My Dr. was banded about 10 years ago & he was one of the trial people. He said his band has no fill now & he is doing really well.