everfriend67

Hi. I actually copied and pasted it from on here from a post. I would think that you can google either articles or Stat on the lapband and find it. I hope this helps.

This will be my last comment on this particular threat. I think the band works for some but NOT everyone and I also don't believe that it's the person's problem. I don't believe that ANYONE would spend that kind of money and just eat what ever they want and expect to loose weight. THAT IS REDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand completely. I have just come to the understanding that food will ALWAYS be an issue for me. Every since I have a first memory, I was over weight and YES, part of me does blame my upbringing because we had nothing growing up so when food was there, you DID NOT waste it under ANY circumstances. We HAD to eat EVERYTHING that was put on our plate in my house. I HATED that. I can remember literally having to go to the bathroom to get sick becuase I had eaten WAY too much. I also do think that Genes play a big role.

I agree completely that it won't stop you from eating sweets. Sweets are NOT my problem. When I sit down to eat a meal, I DO NOT feel full any more than I did before the band and like I said before, that is the tool that I need, something that will help me to feel full. I think the bottome line is, no matter what, there are things that will work for some and not others. I happen to know 4 other people who had the band put in who are in the SAME boat that I am. It is EXTREMELY discouraging when you are told that the band is a tool to help you feel full, you get your hopes up, pay all of that money and it turns out that for some, it does NOT. Now I am stuck with this band that is doing me NO good. Insurance will NOT cover removal unless there is an issue and it's deemed "Necessary" to remove it! I would like to know the percentage of people who are still feeling the SAME way when it comes to hunger that they did before the band. With me knowing 4 of them myself, I would say that the numbers would be high.

As I said in my earlier post, what I needed was a tool to help me to feel fuller quicker. I was told BY THE MD that this was the tool to do that. Also as I said in my post earlier, I won't eat if I feel full. I hope this answers your question and if not, here is some food for thought: RESULTS: Between June 1997 and June 2003, LGB was performed in 317 patients, 43 men and 274 women. Mean age was 38 years (19-69), mean weight was 119 kg (79-179), and mean BMI was 43.5 kg/m(2) (34-78). 97.8% of the patients were available for follow-up after 3 years, 88.2% after 5 years, and 81.5% after 7 years. Overall, 105 (33.1%) of the patients developed late complications, including band erosion in 9.5%, pouch dilatation/slippage in 6.3%, and catheter- or port-related problems in 7.6%. Major reoperation was required in 21.7% of the patients. The mean EWL at 5 years was 58.5% in patients with the band still in place. The failure rate increased from 13.2% after 18 months to 23.8% at 3, 31.5% at 5, and 36.9% at 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: LGB appeared promising during the first few years after its introduction, but results worsen over time, despite improvements in the operative technique and material. Only about 60% of the patients without major complication maintain an acceptable EWL in the long term. Each year adds 3-4% to the major complication rate, which contributes to the total failure rate. With a nearly 40% 5-year failure rate, and a 43% 7-year success rate (EWL >50%), LGB should no longer be considered as the procedure of choice for obesity. Until reliable selection criteria for patients at low risk for long-term complications are developed, other longer lasting procedures should be used.

Hi there. I can tell you that the reason that you are wanting the surgery is EXACTLY the same reason that I wanted the surgery. I got the surgery 3 years ago. I have the lapband but I might as well not have it. I lost weight initially though not as much as I probably should have. When I went to the orientation before deciding to get the band, the MD who did my surgery spoke and made it seem like this IS the cure for people who just can't get that full feeling which is me!! I just went in whole hearted KNOWING that I had found the fix to control my appetite. Well, after my initial weight loss of about 60 pounds, slowly I started to gain the weight back. I went in for band adjustments (not sure if you are familiar with what I mean) but it did not work. Either the band was too tight and I was vomiting when I ate or it was too loose and I did not feel full. I was adjusted countless numbers of times and THEN my MD proceeded to blame ME!! He asked me if I was drinking a lot of milk shakes, mashed potatoes, mushy foods. He asked this becuase he had adjusted my band so many times, he could NOT and refused to admit that the band had failed me NOT that I had failed the band. Anyway, I am an EXTREMELY non confrontational person but after going to see him a few times and him blaming me, I did not go back. I had NOT been drinking shakes and eating mashed potatoes. I had been eating like I would have normally eaten but I felt EXACTLY as I did BEFORE the surgery. I am still doing horribly. I have NO will power over food. It's awful. I am not a person who will eat if I am full but I just don't seem to feel full unless I eat a considerable amount more than a normal meal. I just WISHED there was something out there that could help me to feel full I hope this helps. I am sorry but I think the surgery is the BIGGEST waste of money that you can throw away.

I have had my band on for 2 years. I have to say that I am COMPLETELY disappointed. Initially for the first 2-3 months I lost weight but it crept back up and now I am back at square one and have been for over a year. It's VERY frustrating. One day I can eat steak fine, the next time I get sick. One day I can eat fish fine, the next time I get sick. I have had fills, they have removed fluid. I feel like I am on a roller coaster. I am going to ask about having it removed or at least have all of the fluit taken out. I am going to try either weight watchers or Atkins. I am tired of the roller coaster and ready to get off!!!

Hi there. I am a year post surgery. I am struggling tremendously. I am not feeling full even after 3 cups of food. I feel like something is wrong although I don't feel any discomfort or pain. I saw the doctor today and they tell me that nothing is wrong with my band unless I am feeling some sort of discomfort or pain. I just don't know how it's possible to not feel full after 3 cups of food. When I initially got the band it was a great tool. I felt full after one cup of food but it would wear off after a few weeks so I got a fill. The full feeling would last a week or two but then I would feel hungry again after a cup of food. I would go back and get another fill but the effectiveness has been less and less time after each fill. I have had 7 fills counting today's and I feel like I am starving already. I feel like I am beating my head against the wall. HELP!!

Hi everyone!! I am fairly new here. I just had surgery on 2/25 and I am looking to loose 120-130lbs. I have been overweight my whole life. I have tried all of the diets but my problem was that I NEVER felt full. So far the lapband has been great. I am in the "Mushy" food stage currently and I am starting to feel a little hungry after I eat. I am hoping that this is because I have had no fills as of yet. I see the Dr for my first follow up 3/11 and I will ask him about it. I have 2 wonderful kids - 19 and 16 years old and I am engaged. I am hoping to make great friends on this site to go through this wonderful journey!! :thumbup: Please fee free to contact me with any tips you may have.

Hi there Bandsters. I have just had my surgery on 2/25. I am in the "Mushy" food stage and I have my first follow up 3/11. I have to admit that I am getting more hungry too. I am suppose to have 1/2 cup of mushy per meal and I am finding that I am still a little hungry when I am finished. This just started. I am hoping that when I go to the dr, the dietician will tell me I can move on to the solid stage and have a little more. Does anyone remember if that is the next stage or is it different depending on your Dr?