I've posted this on the lap band forum at OH as well....hoping for some of your great insight.

Ok bandsters I'm hoping you can give me some guidance here.

I'm continuing my journey towards the band - my first consult is 2/25. I really do think this is my best choice. At the same time, I've made an appointment with a surgeon that performs DS, RNY and VBG - in the event I cannot get the band covered by insurance. That appt. is 3/17. Not surprising, the surgeon does not do banding - doesn't feel there is enough long term data to support it (he and I had a long conversation)

Here are today's fears (LOL). Since the band is a newer procedure, are any of you concerned about long term issues? 10 years from now are we all going to be getting the bands removed? Will it require additional surgeries over time as we age? (I'm 36 and hope to live a long life once I overcome my weight demon).

It's not like I don't have the same fears on the DS/RNY/VBG side...

Anyone else? Thanks in advance for your insight.

Sharon

I don't think the band was invented until 1993...not sure.

Hi Sharon,

Quite frankly, I am not that worried about the long term. Ten years from now, I could be dead from another ailment or they might have come up with a cure for obsesity that doesnt involve any surgery at all. If I had to have my band replaced, so be it. Or if I could no longer have a band due to erosion or some other problem, I would see another alternative to keep the weight off. THe band is the safest form of WLS and that was enough for me!

This nurse everyone keeps discussing: It is highly unlikely that she has had the band for 17 years. She may be confusing it with a form of VBG because Don Mills from Inamed gave a presentation about the history of banding and although there have been surgeries performed as early as 1989ish, none of those folks still have their band. And surely no one in the US had one unless they went to Italy, Sweden or Australia. Still think it is highly unlikely.

Babs in TX

334/184/170

-150

6/23/03