I had my band installed in April 2007. In September 2011 I had to have it removed. I believe it may have slipped about 4-6 weeks after the surgery, because it worked well for 4-6 weeks then I began having problems eating or drinking without pain.
Jump ahead 7.5 years, and I suddenly could not get any food or drink down without pain, and after 3 weeks or so I couldn't even get liquid in.
I saw a surgeon who went in, and I had adhesions all around the band at the stomach, and around the port end such that the port was now attached to my liver by adhesions. The surgeon removed the band, though in hindsight I wish I'd have asked him to leave it in and put it back in place, as I've gained 24 pounds from 9/30/11 to 4/12/12. UGH!
I don't know - maybe some people are just more prone to adhesions, and maybe if I'd left it in I'd be getting them all over again. I'll never know. Many people have them installed and never get adhesions, so who knows?
I wish you the best of luck!
