Hello,

I am so glad to have found this site, as it has already proven to have some very useful information. My husband and I are both planning on having the surgery and we are hoping to do it at the same time so that we can support each other. I have a BMI 39/40 and he is 44/45. He also has diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. Due to the cost, and insurance non coverage, we are considering doing it in Mexico.

How often do you do fills/unfills during the first year? How long do people usually keep the bands? Do most people remove the bands after reaching their desired weight? How difficult is it to remove the band?

The band is a long term device and if you get it removed you will open up your entire stomach and easily regain all your weight.... MAINTENENCE IS THE REASONE I CHOSE THE BAND as I have lost and regained many many times.....

I hope to retain my band Forever, and be rebanded if needed!

I needed only 4 fills in my first year and I don't really forsee me needing more at this time. ( I have pretty tight restriction) I know people who have been banded for 2-7 years and have had 1 or 2 fills!

I will not willingly have my band removed....... IF I need too I will have all the fill removed thereby removing ALL restriction.. (some people go this route to see if they can maintain on their own)

No, most people do not remove the band after reaching goal weight. Otherwise you'll just put the weight back on. You need to keep the band on so you continue to eat properly and have that satiated feeling after a small amount of food. So plan on keeping it for life unless you have complications requiring removal, which happens in a small percentage of cases.

How often for fills is unfortunately very personal -- it depends on how much fill you get at each appt, how tight the band is to begin with, how much weight you lose during the year, and other factors. Maybe plan on 5 or 6 of them?

And don't expect that you will be done getting fills after the first year. It will probably be less often, but you will need adjustments from time to time, especially if you don't hit goal that first year. You might look into a Fill Center USA or something like that if there is one nearby -- might be cheaper than going back to Mexico to see your surgeon there. But make sure you have a plan for who will do your aftercare before you go. Most US doctors will not take patients banded in Mexico for aftercare.

Expect your husband to drop weight a lot faster than you. Men generally do. It's a higher-muscle-mass thing. Don't get discouraged.

Good luck with your surgeries!! This is a grand adventure, and banding is a wonderful tool!

Thanks for the replies. I guess I am a bit concerned about having something permanently inside me ... But it makes sense to keep it on to prevent gaining weight (which is why I am as heavy as I am now).

It is going to be tough seeing him loose the weight quicker .... but he needs it more than I do.