Nana Price

I beleive it is truly an evil contraption and I expect to see it pulled from the market in a few years. I think the number of patients with problems from it is higher than the 40 something %, base on the forums on the web where people talk about it. On to my story...I was banded 3 years ago. I won't bore you with all the medical probs it has caused, but during my research to find out what some of medical issues were, I came across the following shocking information-- Sometimes during the lapband surgery the vagus nerve gets damaged OR even worse some drs actually go on and wrap the Vagus nerve around the lapband in order to help curb hunger. This fact was NOT disclosed to me ahead of time. The Vagus nerve is a main nerve that runs down through your ears, thru your heart, your stomach and other major parts of the body. I was having all these symptoms in those areas and more, loss of hearing, AFIB (which I wound up having some major heart surgery for), extreme stomach pain and so forth. A very LARGE number of lapband patients develop AFIB. Also had to have my gall bladder removed after banding, again, another high percent of banded patients have this prob. Fast forward 3 years, so much pain, so many problems, yet all tests show my lapband is perfectly in place, not twisted, not eroded, etc etc. THEREFORE, insurance won't pay for its removal as of now! There is no test to prove the Vagus nerve is damaged. So there is nothing on paper to prove my theory that the Vagus nerve is damaged, and thus causing all my probs. Next major problem with the lapband: I didnt go with gastric bypass because I didnt want to be on b12 shots the rest of my life ( a known prob with gastic bypass). But now, guess what? I am Vit b12 deficient. (also not told that this was a possible side effect with the band) Third major problem: (was not told this ahead of time either) weight gain is guaranteed if you DRINK liquids with your meals, had I been told this I would have never gotten it because I know I drink with nearly every bite I eat. I knew there would be diet changes, etc, but not this! And yes, I DID do my pre-surgery research for over a year, and used a highly reccomended surgeon in my area, but without ALL the info fo what all can go wrong, as well as all the failures and removals of the lapband after banding, how was I to make a REALLY informed decision? I would NOT reccomend this procedure to anyone.

Wow! A bit of a nasty bunch here huh? Thanks tho to the few who actually responded with some helpful advice. First of all, I have no idea who this other person is that you think I am. But flame away at me if you feel better. 2-I SAID that what I was stating was based on MY OWN research on the web, you can easily search it too, if you like. And yes, the 40% figure of failure does come up often, soemtimes as high as 50%. 3- I WISH someone had told me some of this before I got my band, or at least suggested that I look into these areas of it (vagus nerve, etc) and the fact that I am 3 years with it, and "just now posting about this"? ever occur to you that I am VERY frustrated with my pain, and so forth and am just now to the point that I regret my decision? if you are happy with your band, good for you! But what? Someone who is not is not allowed to say so here? Anyhoo... goodbye.

Holy Crap! Is that the way you treat new members here? The forum is called "lapband Complications" and that is what I posted! I HAVE doem my research over and over again, specifically about the Vegus Nerve. It wasnt neccessary to be so rude!

I have read this too, as well as no aspirin products, use tylenol instead, or better yet, go organic with pepperming leaf tea, (the kind at herb stores)

Had the same thing, boatloads of issues, and then one day about 2 months ago, could suddenly eat anything and everything. ALL tests, including GI, endoscopy etc shows lap=band perfectly in place, not eroded, etc. I would suggest you ask your dr about vagus nerve damage?