OK, as somebody who has been banded 6+ years, I have to say that at least 60% of the people I know who were Banded around the time I was Banded or soon after no longer have their Bands. I know that if I post something like this in the General forums... I get a lot of hands over eyes and mouth saying "no no no ... that can't be true..." because most newly Banded people do not want to hear this. I can't find any concrete statistics from Inamed/Allergan.. nor do I think they keep them (or want to keep them)... but I did find this study:

A 10-year experience with laparoscopic gastric ban...[Obes Surg. 2006] - PubMed Result

RESULTS: Between June 1997 and June 2003, LGB was performed in 317 patients, 43 men and 274 women. Mean age was 38 years (19-69), mean weight was 119 kg (79-179), and mean BMI was 43.5 kg/m(2) (34-78). 97.8% of the patients were available for follow-up after 3 years, 88.2% after 5 years, and 81.5% after 7 years. Overall, 105 (33.1%) of the patients developed late complications, including band erosion in 9.5%, pouch dilatation/slippage in 6.3%, and catheter- or port-related problems in 7.6%. Major reoperation was required in 21.7% of the patients. The mean EWL at 5 years was 58.5% in patients with the band still in place. The failure rate increased from 13.2% after 18 months to 23.8% at 3, 31.5% at 5, and 36.9% at 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: LGB appeared promising during the first few years after its introduction, but results worsen over time, despite improvements in the operative technique and material. Only about 60% of the patients without major complication maintain an acceptable EWL in the long term. Each year adds 3-4% to the major complication rate, which contributes to the total failure rate. With a nearly 40% 5-year failure rate, and a 43% 7-year success rate (EWL >50%), LGB should no longer be considered as the procedure of choice for obesity. Until reliable selection criteria for patients at low risk for long-term complications are developed, other longer lasting procedures should be used.

I guess I'm feeling bad because I one person I tried to convince to try the Band has just had to have her Band completely unfilled due to severe reflux... and she is barely one year out. She's loss maybe 40% of what she needed to, but is now, regaining. I think that so many of us try to paint the Band as positive that we don't talk about the negative... and that we don't accept/realize that this surgery really isn't successful for a lot of people... this study shows a nearly 43% failure rate at 5 years.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding versus Rou...[surg Obes Relat Dis. 2007 Mar-Apr] - PubMed Result

"Weight loss failure (BMI >35 kg/m(2) at 5 yr) was observed in 9 (34.6%) of 26 LAGB patients and in 1 (4.2%) of 24 LRYGB patients (P <.001). Of the 26 patients in the LAGB group and 24 in the LRYGB group, 3 (11.5%) and 15 (62.5%) had a BMI of <30 kg/m(2), respectively (P <.001)."

This study shows a failure rate of 35% at 5 years for the Band.

I wonder what the real figures are. I'd love to know.

I was banded about 4 years ago, knew there were risks but my band actually broke!! the tubing from my port to the band completely broke. I'm not sure why but I did throw up quite severly after eating some bad seafood-lots of dry heaving and stuff. A couple days later I started having major pain in my left abdomen, radiating to my neck (in the bones). I had an EKG (they thought it was cardiac at first), then an ultrasound (then they thought it was gallstones-even though the results were negative-crazy doctors) THEN I had a CT with oral AND IV contrast...wow...thats when they told me my band tubing was broken and "poking" me in the spleen and diaphram. Now I get to go through MORE testing (endoscopy) to see if I am ALSO erroded (because it is so common now) before they even schedule me for surgery...I will be having the band removed. It has not worked for me(no weight loss-at all) but I will admit that most of that is my "fault" as I was unable to maintain the adjustments due to insurance and was not as restricted as I could have been, but the complications are just too risky for me-mother of a great 10 year old. I was on a running program before the band broke, so hope to get back to that soon.

Has anyone else had a "broken tubing issue" its not just leaking but completely (for lack of more technical term) severed...

I have had it for 4 yrs now...& it's a 100% total failure for me. there are not "ways to eat more" you just CAN...I gained more than before I had it too! I had it totally emptied about about 2 yrs ago and went on with my life too. I also say it's not worth the pain the discomfort...totally not worth it...

I hear you...I am also fully convinced that these bariatric surgeries are way to prey on fat people!! a total waste of time and money!! Of course you can't convince newbies of this...you wouldn't of convinced me 4 yrs ago that it's a total waste of time.

Absolutely save your money IF insurance doesn't pay for it...(mine didn't either! & when I think of the money I spent what I could of done with it instead!!!)

Yup, one way to lose weight...the old fashioned way...a total drastic lifestyle change with proper nutrition & exercise

If I had to recommend the best way to lose weight it's Weight Watchers...Good luck with that it's the best way to go as it's normal everyday food. :-)

I have had the lab band for about 10 years now. For me, it was a complete failure. Actually, I found ways to

"eat more" with the band, resulting in more weight gain. A few years ago, I had all the Fluid emptied out of it, and went on with my life as if I never had the surgery. I joined Weight Watchers and started losing weight successfully. I am fully convinced that these bariatric surgeries are not worth the money, the time, and the constant discomfort. The only thing that works is a full commitment to a drastic lifestyle change. Unless your insurance pays for the surgery (which mine didn't), save your money and invest in a good treadmill or elliptical trainer.

I had my scope done yesterday and my band has completely eroded into my stomach. it is so weird seeing that on film. I mean the whole band is inside my stomach. Never 1 symptom of that happening either. On 11/3 i will have my band removed after having it for 8 years. The dr said my band has been eroded prob for over 1 year now cause the stomach has completely healed around it. I will have to wait 3-4 months for it to heal so i can convert to gastric sleeve. Wished i had never gotten this band now.