HAS ANYONE HAD THE LAP BAND FOR LONG TERM? IF SO HOW IS IT GOING NOW? THANK YOU , TLK

TLK

Whats long term for you. Here in Michigan its only been available since 2001.

Most I know haven't had it for more then a year. but even in that time everyone seems to be doing well. I have a friend who had his done Feb 2004 and he is two pounds form his goal weight. He lost somewhere around 90 pounds.

I had my surgery done in August of 2003; I am 15-20 pounds away from my goal. I don't consider myself Long Term....1 year and 5 months.....

Long term for me is a couple years off and keeping it off.

Funny you should ask this question,

My neighboor, who is the one who told me about the band, had her band for 3 years and has been at goal for 2 of those years

I just saw her for the first time in about 2 months it was obvious to me she had gained some weight so I asked whats going on, instantly she started to cry ..She had to have her band removed due to slippage, her slippage was caused from PBing too often

She has gained 30 lbs back in 2 months and is devastated. Can not have it replaced until her anemia is under control and is no longer anemic, she is waiting on lab test results and plans to get her band back ASAP..Your band can last a life time if you take care of it properely is what my Dr. told me. As much as we want the band to do all of the work , we have to do alot of the work too if we want our bands to last. Do not over fill, Do not PB often, take responsibility when you know something is NOT right with your band, do not wait...these things can help to a longer lasting band according to my Dr. who also wrote a book called LAP BAND FOR LIFE. Erosion is also a possibility which is 1-3 % of all patients and can happen 6 months to 2 years out. Erosion is something no one knows why it happens. The most model bandsters can have erosion where the worst bandsters won't, some people's bodies just reject a foreign object, where some don't, strange phenomenon

For me though, the cons of this band can NO WAY out weigh the Pro's. Best thing I have ever done for myself. It is the happiest & healthiest I have been in years!

Thank you Michelle for the info it helps alot

You'll find many longer term bandsters on Yahoo Groups Smartbandsters or Bandsters. Alot of those there had their bands placed before FDA Approval in the states. The longest I know of is a bit over 6 years, I believe

What Is Pb/pbing

I have not potsted on here in a LONG time, but I have had my band since Oct 2003, and have had No problems at all. I have lost 120 pounds and am keeping it off.

CONGRATULATIONS! great job. thanks for posting your update. It's great to hear about long term success!!!