’ve just been for my consultation (with the NHS, in the UK) and been told they no longer do bands because they don’t work in terms of weight loss and almost inevitably end in complications which require the removal of the band. A cynical part of me wonders if this is actually about cost, given the frequency of follow up appointments for filling and defilling

You’re all experts, what are your experiences and thoughts please?

[NB have also posted this in the band forum]

I don’t think it has to do with costs. If it were due to costs, they’d still do them because wouldn’t you want your patient coming back for more appointments & getting filled/Unfilled?

Anyhow, I have sat in on many informational classes by bariatric surgeons and they no longer do bands because the risks outweigh the benefits. Too many erosions, slips, etc.

8 minutes ago, Bryn910 said:

I don’t think it has to do with costs. If it were due to costs, they’d still do them because wouldn’t you want your patient coming back for more appointments & getting filled/Unfilled?

Anyhow, I have sat in on many informational classes by bariatric surgeons and they no longer do bands because the risks outweigh the benefits. Too many erosions, slips, etc.

If the NHS funds (as in this case), they would bear all the costs of follow up appointments too.

33 minutes ago, Peridot said:

If the NHS funds (as in this case), they would bear all the costs of follow up appointments too.

Aah, I forgot you’re in the UK...

i still don’t believe it has to do with costs in all honesty.

Wish I had some Info to produce/articles. But I am just going off what I have heard personally from doctors