I was seriously considering the Lap Band procedure, but after looking through internet sites I'm getting a little scared of the future complications and long-term success rate (75% failure rate after several years). Is the mini-bypass safer in the long run, or is there just a lot of negative hype.:confused2:

Where in the world did you find a 75% failure rate? That's insane.

I wouldn't have had a surgery if that was the case. Theres a ton of people on this forum that have lost 100 + and don't have complications.

I love, love, love my band. I have not heard of such a high failure rate. I think all of the positives about the band completely overshadow the negatives. I just could not see having part of me removed, especially the part that absorbs the nutrients for your hair and skin. I work in a hospital and have seen many, many complications from bypass.

There are a lot of risks when I get in my car to go back to work, which are probably greater than the lap band risks.

All surgery carries risks, but I think lap band procedures are minimal.

Continue to study before you decide.

I am due to be banded on the 25th.. I did a lot of research about the band before I made my decision.. there is a lot of good info out there and then there is a lot of info that is not based on facts... I would find something that was scary and then I would check the sources and it was a this person told this person and it wasnt based on facts..

as far as sucess rate I think anyone with the band will tell you that it mostly depends on you. if you are ready to make the life change than it can work for you.. if you use it to mainly get the weight off and then eat unhealthy because you feel like you are skinny and you can eat whatever than you will fail. its not a miracle worker its just an aid to help you get healthy. most of us are in this position because whether we over ate or not we just cant eat the way some skinny people can.. our bodies wont let us.

also as someone else said on this site.. we are all unique.. the complications or non complications can vary because we vary.. everyone will have a different story

I hope that helps.

Deciding for or against the band or any other procedure is a very personal decision. I would never presume to tell you which procedure is the best for you.

That said, I also have never heard of any valid studies showing "Failure" rates that high. I would strongly reccomend doing a google search for the names Dr. John Dixon or Paul O'Brien. Both of these Doctors have published (sometimes jointly) mutiple long term case studies on the Lapband. Some of these studies have been on groups of over 900 patients and lasted longer than a decade.

If you are interested in reading some of the studies I have collected over the last 3 years I'd be glad to forward you the PDF's. Just send me a Private Message.

I dont know where you got 75% from, that's not correct. Do you really think they'd even be doing a surgery that likely to fail? That wouldnt meet any sort of regulation!