I am getting banded next month but still have a lot of questions. One of the big ones is, How long do you wait after you have lost the weight to have the band removed? Do you even get it removed normally? is it 2 years, is it 10?

Anyone have experience there?

The band is made to stay in your body permanently.

Congrats on your impending band date! The band is usually *not* removed once the weight is lost, it is meant to be a permanent tool to help you not only lose the weight, but also keep the weight off. Good luck!

I appreciate the replies. I thought it would be sad if I spent so much time and money to just have it out in 2-5 years. Thanks again!!

Mines here for life !!!!

Ain't no-one touching my baby !!!!!! :redface:

Patricia

11/16/06

306/202/175ish

Hi-

They are still assembling data about how long the bands will stay in. Yes, they are designed to stay in permanently, but the bariatric community is still assembling data about the results in long-time bandsters. You may want to ask your surgeon to share data with you about the complication rates in long-time bandsters. There is always new data being published in the medical journals with updated statistics.

I've been studying these stats lately. I'm four years out and have just been diagnosed with a slip. From what I understand I'm in the minority as far as complications go -- this is good news for the population of banded patients. However, from what I understand complication rates rise as the years go on. The stomach and esophogas can stretch.... the band can slip... but the possiblity of any of these can be carefully monitored by regular visits to your doctor.

What tends to happen is that long-time bandsters get complacent -- for me, this happened because I was happy and engaged in other parts of my life (this was very good news!). I probably should have pushed myself to have a check up six months ago... but I was happily too busy. I didn't think to go see the doctor until I was in the midst of uncomfortable acid reflux.

So as you are getting ready to be banded, talk with your doctor about what your care will be like in the years down the road. I totally support others in having a barium swallow test done annually to check the status of things. I wish I had done that....

All that being said, I still would have made the same decision I did four years ago and I would have said yes to the band! It was a miracle for me and allowed much healing to flow into my life.

Sending you lots of prayers for grace on your journey!

starrgirrl: Thanks for the post. I just go my band on 6/6. I hope I get 4 years out of mine. Are you having it replaced? I will certainly keep an eye on my band so I can catch any complications sooner rather then later. You are in my prayers. Good Luck to you

Thank you for your prayers, Livin4Jesus. They are much appreciated!

I sense that the band will have to come out... I spoke with Allergan and the type of band I have cannot be rebuckled. The new model can be unbuckled up to three times. Therefore if there's a slip or the band needs to be repositioned they can do so without replacing the band. I suspect that this is not the case with the model that I have.

The truth is that I'm not sure I want to keep it. I keep vacillating back and forth. It would seem that everyone who loves and supports me is happy at the idea of it coming out. They are concerned for my health and I have lots of support no matter what happens. I keep reading the medical journals and trying to attune to what outcome I want.

The truth is, in my ideal vision, the band comes out and there are no long term scarring or ill effects. I then begin eating healthy foods -- the idea of being able to eat things like watermelon and big salads again makes me giddy.

Congratulations on starting your banded life. May your path be paved with light, grace and tremendous joy. You're going to do great! I can feel your enthusiasm about his new adventure.

Sending you lots of light!

Hi Stargirl,

I am on the otherside, I had mine removed because of a bad slip. it has been awful trying to keep the weight off. I thought for sure once losing the weight I would never go back but here I am eating my self to death once again.

I am being rebanded in august and can not wait.

Hi Janine-

How wonderful that you are going to be rebanded! As a seasoned bandster, you will know the best way to care for yourself and your new band. Congratulations!

Sending you lots of light!!!