dvons

I've been so used to my band that the idea of switching to another type of WLS is rather daunting. I feel if I gain weight with the band, I can just adjust it as I have throughout all these years. You can't adjust the sleeve. Anyone else feel or have felt this way?

One can eat before a fill. After they always tell me to rest my band and drink liquids for my next meal. More so in the beginning when they were adding a lot of cc vs 0.1. Congratulations on your weight loss.

This is an abstract and only reflects a small sample set. It does not go into the causation of the failures such as non compliance with food, follow up appt., taking medications that can cause issues. Without having the full study and understanding the study criteria, rigorous of the analysis, etc this abstract is not scientifically interesting. I read a lot of success stories from people who have the band and are successful. I choose to focus on encouraging everyone to reach their goals. Had lapband surgery 10/12/16 I believe in encouraging people as well but I also believe I gotta be straight up with people who are trying to make a decision like the original post in this. I used to push the lap band back in the day, and I've seen a lot of people (my family members) suffer. Guilt makes you think to do research a bit more. If they already got the band, then I try to encourage people of course.

I think by "user error" my surgeon meant compliance, that in his experience band people were less likely to follow the rules. But with any procedure we have to follow the rules to be successful. We all know that. I wonder why of all WLS the band people are less likely to follow the rules? My doctor said the same thing. Now the balloon or whatever it is they got going on now seems to be less problematic compared to the lap band.

This is an abstract and only reflects a small sample set. It does not go into the causation of the failures such as non compliance with food, follow up appt., taking medications that can cause issues. Without having the full study and understanding the study criteria, rigorous of the analysis, etc this abstract is not scientifically interesting. I read a lot of success stories from people who have the band and are successful. I choose to focus on encouraging everyone to reach their goals. Had lapband surgery 10/12/16 Well, by all means... discount research as 'not scientifically interesting', whatever that means, and focus on anecdotal evidence! What a GREAT way to make life-altering decisions! @@dvons Thanks for trying, but academic rigor around here falls short quite often. I enjoyed the abstract and poking around in PubMed for a little while I noticed. I didn't get the "not scientifically interesting" part either, and I really don't get the abstract comment. If they want to see the methods, it's right there. If they want fine details, they could get a subscription. Don't matter, I suppose, as long as others get it. Good to do research on your surgery and not just go by opinions before one goes under the knife. Some sound just like the lap band ads in 2005. smh

I disagree with your percentages, but respect your right to your opinion. I just don't agree with it, but wish you success in reaching your goals. Had lapband surgery 10/12/16 Here's the study where I got "In five years 40% of lap bands fail and only 43% have lost 50% of excess weight after seven years. ". Many go by opinions, I prefer facts.: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=16839478&ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

I've had the lap band for a long time. It's good but I feel lucky because most I know in real life are coming down with some serious complications. From that stand point, I'd go sleeve.

Took me several fills before I started filling restriction.

I agree. Everyone I know who got banded after me has had all kinds of serious complications. I'm one of the few how have not.

In five years 40% of lap bands fail and only 43% have lost 50% of excess weight after seven years. That's a fact. The band may be able to get adjusted and you can't put the stomach back in with the sleeve BUT many people get lifelong problems because of the band and issues with the sleeve are rare. I have had the band for 9 years and luckily I have had minor issues but others who I told to go for it have had serious issues. I come from a family full of heavy people and the ones that chose the sleeve other than myself have hit goal with no issues. Be Real lol.

@@bayougirlmrsc Even the sleeve will fail if you aren't committed. I just saw my surgeon, and he said I'm doing good so no reason to change. I was actually relieved. I just have to keep on with the check ups since the fluid in my band changes with time. Complacency is the root of all evil lol.

I've had the lapband since 2008. If you opt for a lap band my best advice is do NOT do it unless you are committed to follow ups with your doctor. If you want a maintenance free surgery, prolly go sleeve. Every time I get too busy and not follow up every 6 months, I get in to trouble. I'm currently going through the process of getting the revision to sleeve but haven't made up my mind. Glad I found this forum.

Was out and about, ran into an old friend. He asked for me to come over for dinner, meet his current family. When I got there, it was nothing but unhealthy foods. Foods I was addicted to before the band. Still am but I stay away from it. Cakes, cookies, loads of fried breaded fish, chips with dips. I didn't leave but I did remove the breading from the fish, and did what I can. He asked why I was doing that. I told him it all looked delicious, he had become quite a cook but my doctor told me to stay on a strict diet or my health will deteriorate. I am not a strict dieter, I am a moderation person with almost every food, but not with anything sweet because of my past addiction to them.

I think it's a personal choice with the doctor's suggestions, of course. You can't "lose" anything if you take that step, you have everything to "gain". I wish I could've done it in high school. No matter what surgery, it'll work if you stay on program and follow your doctor.

Freed me from being self-conscious. Nobody wants to walk in every room, at every party, every meeting being the "fat guy" or the most heavy.

Only one night, otherwise nope. I was too tight once, and every time I fell asleep the acid and food would rush up my throat. I went to the doctor the next morning and got some liquid taken out asap. I get heartburn a lot through the years. Tums are my friend. I wish it was one time.

I have been around goal weight plus minus 5-10 lbs for some time. I got my band in 2008. Had issues with dilated pouch/esophagus. They remove my fill liquid for 4 months, I gain weight. They put it back in and it's twice as hard to get back down the 20, 30 lbs. I do it but without some liquid in my band, I'm like an alcoholic but with food. I know this. Food is my weak point, my comforter, my vice. I try not to gain weight during that phase but so far I have lost the battle. I'm at goal weight and now I hear I might have to have liquid removed yet again. I have the opportunity to change to the sleeve. One doctor says do the revision, another says I may go underweight. What would you do if the band served you so well for many many years?

To never get that plugged feeling again and saliva running out of nose and mouth in public is almost enough for me to switch asap. Thank you!

Didn't know that, @Sai. I thought they'd just do the revision. I would probably gain half back in 6 months without any fill. SMDH. Thank you for the heads up. I hope you are doing better after the car accident. Thank you for you input. Big decision for me. Thank you, I'm leaning that way after all of your input.

Thank you! I definitely know my weaknesses. I guess you're right there is no rush, patience has never been one of my virtues.

I wish I was strong enough on my own but without the liquid in my band. I could eat a horse. I need some restriction to keep me sane. During my unfill times, I gain a lot in a short period of time. Thanks for good feedback!