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Here's my typical reply when people ask me about band vs. vsg Also, just because the band can be removed, you have no idea what or how severely it may damage your stomach or esophagus before you are able to get it removed. I've been there, and done that. My band only lasted 8 months, and I lost additional stomach tissue during my revision because of the scar tissue from the band. I've had the band, and over a 2 year period the band is more expensive than the sleeve due to follow up appointments, fills/unfills, and the other issues with the band. With the reoperation rate of the band, it's actually way more expensive than the sleeve. Some surgeons prefer the band because it's the real money maker of the bariatric surgeries. I've had both the band and the sleeve, and my personal opinion is that the sleeve is superior over the band for several reasons. The band has the lowest and slowest loss stats, highest rate of long term complications even outdoing RNY with the exception of Vitamin deficiencies. The food restrictions alone with the band are horrific. I couldn't eat meat, any type of breads, lettuce, raw veggies, and most fruits caused major issues. The less ghrelin thing is true. Just because you fill up your little pouch with the band doesn't mean you are satisfied. That hunger is still there, and once the food slips through, you'll be hungry again, and really aren't supposed to eat because you're on a forced diet. This is a post I share often when people ask about VSG vs. Band, or VSG vs. RNY, or VSG for a revision from band vs. band to band revision. At the very bottom, you'll find some research links that I enjoyed reading for research purposes. Hope this helps. This is directly from the band manufacturer so there is no skewing facts or stats here. This is their own study. Quote: Weight Loss Surgery Risk Information | LAP-BAND? Patients can experience complications after surgery. Most complications are not serious but some may require hospitalization and/or re-operation. In the United States clinical study, with 3-year follow-up reported, 88% of the 299 patients had one or more adverse events, ranging from mild, moderate, to severe. Nausea and vomiting (51%), gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) (34%), band slippage/pouch dilatation (24%) and stoma obstruction (stomach-band outlet blockage) (14%) were the most common post-operative complications. In the study, 25% of the patients had their band systems removed, two-thirds of which were following adverse events. Esophageal dilatation or dysmotility (poor esophageal function) occurred in 11% of patients, the long-term effects of which are currently unknown. Constipation, diarrhea and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) occurred in 9% of the patients. In 9% of the patients, a second surgery was needed to fix a problem with the band or initial surgery. In 9% of the patients, there was an additional procedure to fix a leaking or twisted access port. The access port design has been improved. Four out of 299 patients (1.3%) had their bands erode into their stomachs. These bands needed to be removed in a second operation. Surgical techniques have evolved to reduce slippage. Surgeons with more laparoscopic experience and more experience with these procedures report fewer complications. Adverse events that were considered to be non-serious, and which occurred in less than 1% of the patients, included: esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), hiatal hernia (some stomach above the diaphragm), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), abdominal pain, hernia, incisional hernia, infection, redundant skin, dehydration, diarrhea (frequent semi-solid bowel movements), abnormal stools, constipation, flatulence (gas), dyspepsia (upset stomach), eructation (belching), cardiospasm (an obstruction of passage of food through the bottom of the esophagus), hematemsis (vomiting of blood), asthenia (fatigue), fever, chest pain, incision pain, contact dermatitis (rash), abnormal healing, edema (swelling), paresthesia (abnormal sensation of burning, prickly, or tingling), dysmenorrhea (difficult periods), hypochromic anemia (low oxygen carrying part of blood), band system leak, cholecystitis (gall stones), esophageal ulcer (sore), port displacement, port site pain, spleen injury, and wound infection. Be sure to ask your surgeon about these possible complications and any of these medical terms that you dont understand. Back to Top What are the specific risks and possible complications? Talk to your doctor about all of the following risks and complications: Ulceration Gastritis (irritated stomach tissue) Gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) Heartburn Gas bloat Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) Dehydration Constipation Weight regain Death Laparoscopic surgery has its own set of possible problems. They include: Spleen or liver damage (sometimes requiring spleen removal) Damage to major blood vessels Lung problems Thrombosis (blood clots) Rupture of the wound Perforation of the stomach or esophagus during surgery Laparoscopic surgery is not always possible. The surgeon may need to switch to an "open" method due to some of the reasons mentioned here. This happened in about 5% of the cases in the U.S. Clinical Study. There are also problems that can occur that are directly related to the LAP-BAND? System: The band can spontaneously deflate because of leakage. That leakage can come from the band, the reservoir, or the tubing that connects them. The band can slip There can be stomach slippage The stomach pouch can enlarge The stoma (stomach outlet) can be blocked The band can erode into the stomach Obstruction of the stomach can be caused by: Food Swelling Improper placement of the band The band being over-inflated Band or stomach slippage Stomach pouch twisting Stomach pouch enlargement There have been some reports that the esophagus has stretched or dilated in some patients. This could be caused by: Improper placement of the band The band being tightened too much Stoma obstruction Binge eating Excessive vomiting Patients with a weaker esophagus may be more likely to have this problem. A weaker esophagus is one that is not good at pushing food through to your stomach. Tell your surgeon if you have difficulty swallowing. Then your surgeon can evaluate this. Weight loss with the LAP-BAND? System is typically slower and more gradual than with some other weight loss surgeries. Tightening the band too fast or too much to try to speed up weight loss should be avoided. The stomach pouch and/or esophagus can become enlarged as a result. You need to learn how to use your band as a tool that can help you reduce the amount you eat. Infection is possible. Also, the band can erode into the stomach. This can happen right after surgery or years later, although this rarely happens. Complications can cause reduced weight loss. They can also cause weight gain. Other complications can result that require more surgery to remove, reposition, or replace the band. Some patients have more nausea and vomiting than others. You should see your physician at once if vomiting persists. Rapid weight loss may lead to symptoms of: Malnutrition Anemia Related complications It is possible you may not lose much weight or any weight at all. You could also have complications related to obesity. If any complications occur, you may need to stay in the hospital longer. You may also need to return to the hospital later. A number of less serious complications can also occur. These may have little effect on how long it takes you to recover from surgery. If you have existing problems, such as diabetes, a large hiatal hernia (part of the stomach in the chest cavity), Barretts esophagus (severe, chronic inflammation of the lower esophagus), or emotional or psychological problems, you may have more complications. Your surgeon will consider how bad your symptoms are, and if you are a good candidate for the LAP-BAND? System surgery. You also have more risk of complications if you've had a surgery before in the same area. If the procedure is not done laparoscopically by an experienced surgeon, you may have more risk of complications. Anti-inflammatory drugs that may irritate the stomach, such as aspirin and NSAIDs, should be used with caution. Some people need folate and vitamin B12 supplements to maintain normal homocycteine levels. Elevated homocycteine levels can increase risks to your heart and the risk of spinal birth defects. You can develop gallstones after a rapid weight loss. This can make it necessary to remove your gallbladder. There have been no reports of autoimmune disease with the use of the LAP-BAND? System. Autoimmune diseases and connective tissue disorders, though, have been reported after long-term implantation of other silicone devices. These problems can include systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. At this time, there is no conclusive clinical evidence that supports a relationship between connective-tissue disorders and silicone implants. Long-term studies to further evaluate this possibility are still being done. You should know, though, that if autoimmune symptoms develop after the band is in place, you may need treatment. The band may also need to be removed. Talk with your surgeon about this possibility. Also, if you have symptoms of autoimmune disease now, the LAP-BAND? System may not be right for you. Back to Top Removing the LAP-BAND? System If the LAP-BAND? System has been placed laparoscopically, it may be possible to remove it the same way. This is an advantage of the LAP-BAND? System. However, an "open" procedure may be necessary to remove a band. In the U.S. Clinical Study, 60% of the bands that were removed were done laparoscopically. Surgeons report that after the band is removed, the stomach returns to essentially a normal state. At this time, there are no known reasons to suggest that the band should be replaced or removed at some point unless a complication occurs or you do not lose weight. It is difficult, though, to say whether the band will stay in place for the rest of your life. It may need to be removed or replaced at some point. Removing the device requires a surgical procedure. That procedure will have all the related risks and possible complications that come with surgery. The risk of some complications, such as erosions and infection, increase with any added procedure. LapSf Study that I swiped from MacMadame's profile LapSF Educational presentation to FACS - includes some 2 year results LapSF Two Year Study LapSF Five Year Study - abstract only LapSF Five Year Study - presentation (requires Windows to play) Literature review on the sleeve - requires $$ to get the full text unfortunately Sleeve best for over 50 crowd Video of a sleeve with lots of education discussion Video of a sleeve that is more about the operation Ghrelin levels after RnY and sleeve Ghrelin levels after band and sleeve Diabetes resolution in RnY vs. Sleeve Comparison of band to sleeve - literature review LapBandTalk Click to visit the largest Lap-Band community online! __________________

Anyone else rededicating? I'm ready to get started again on my weight loss. Here is my latest blog post. The link is in my signature if you're interested in seeing the whole blog. Melissa Well, I'm back. I'm ready to get this weight off and get back to my pre-baby size. So here we go! As of right now I have no fill in my band. The nearest fill-doctor is over four hours away, so as of right now, I'm going to see what I can do on my own without having it filled. If I get stuck and can't lose any more, then I will look into getting fluid put back in my band. Honestly, I don't miss the restrictions of the band as far as having to eat slowly and some foods that I can't tolerate. If I can do this without having to get that restriction, I think I will enjoy the eating aspect of my life much more. So as I posted before, I gained way more weight with this pregnancy than I had ever intended to. It ended up being about 75 lbs. So, right now, in order to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, I have 50 pounds left to lose. Yay for already being 25 pounds down from my baby's birth three weeks ago! I have tried to exercise a couple of times since baby was born, but both times I ended up in pain and really worn out. I think I was jumping the gun just a bit. I went for a walk around the neighborhood. I didn't make it more than about half a mile either time. My abdominal muscles were very weak and sore throughout. I will try again soon and see if I'm ready yet. My biggest problems that have caused my weight gain are not exercising and eating too many sweets. So this week, I started back on not eating sweets. I will allow myself one occasion of sweet-eating per week. (Like a party, or movie, etc.) I'm on day three of no desserts and down four pounds so far. Not bad results. It really shows me that sweets make a huge difference in my weight. So I will be posting much more regularly to keep myself accountable and update you on my progress. Stay tuned!

I've been on Wellbutrin for awhile and actually lost weight at first, then I just stayed about the same. When my Dr. suggests a med change, she always tells me about the side-effects of the drugs she is considering. If there is any indication of weight gain, she tells me and we have decided to avoid those drugs, if at all possible. There are so many choices in drugs now, maybe your Dr. can find another one that will as well, but not cause weight gain.

I could have written this myself. Someone I knew with a band actually had the fill taken out so she could "gorge" on a cruise. I wanted something permanent that would not allow me to fall back into old habits and continue the yo-yo of weight loss/weight gain. None of my Band friends have made goal. AND - none have maintained to the level where they stopped losing. All have gained back. And, they have all had complications such as pb'ing, swollen esphogus, stretching of the upper pouch, etc. While I am only 5 months into this, I can definitely say it's been a life changer for me. I love the restriction and the ability to eat anything I want - just much smaller proportions. Good luck with your research. We are here to help if you have specific questions.

I have gained lots of weight over the years in trial and error of antidepressants and none of the doctors forewarned me about weight gain. Finally I am settled down on combination of cymbalta and abilify and abilify made me gain 30lbs. It was the best med for my depression so I decided to lose weight rather than stop the med because it became a survival issue for me. Let me know the name of your med and I will tell you what it does and will tell you some good alternatives, wellbutrin is one of them as you lose on wellbutrin but it doesn't work for everyone, I know it didn't work for me.

There are anti-depressants that can cause weight gain. My PCP put me on Wellbutrion which is considered weight neutral and in fact some studies have shown weight loss with taking it. Maybe you could try another med? But of course if it is working well for you that may not be the best thing. I'm sure eventually it would stop causing gain and you could work on taking it back off. Although not unusual, def something to talk about with your dr though. I know personally for me weight gain would make me more depressed which would defeat the purpose of the meds. Let me know what happens!

Hi there, my name is Jen and I was banded in August of last year. Two months ago my general practitioner put me on an antidepressant and since then I have gradually gained 10 pounds. I am following my diet, I work out religiously, and I even attend weight watcher meetings every week. So I'm pretty sure the change of medication is the reason for my weight gain. I am wondering if anyone else has had such a dramatic weight gain with their band after being put on antidepressants? Sorry if this is a repeat topic. I tried to seach for a similar one and couldn't find anything like it. Thanks for reading!

I want to preface by saying that this is not about my Dr., but about the manufacturer of my band. Now to start my story. I was banded in July 08 and did very well for the first year. I lost about 65 lbs and am very happy with my band experience. I lost my Father to cancer in April 09 and became too tight. I tried to deal with it. But my husband also lost his job, so I had to wait for money to get a flight to Denver to get an unfill (I only see my surgeons office for fills because it costs about the same to get a plane ticket and go to his office as it is to get a fill here). So I went in for an unfill in October and it helped immensely. I returned in January to get another fill, and hadn't gained, but had lost a little. By April I had the feeling I needed another fill, so I got one. 3 days later I felt NO restriction. I made another appointment and flew out to figure out what was going wrong. My Surgeon pulled out the saline and there was only 1.2cc's (supposed to be 6.4) So he determined I had a leak. So I schedule a port replacement at my surgeons urging. I had gained 20 lbs by the time I had my replacement. My surgeon discovered that my tubing had eroded causing a 1/8 inch tear. He informed me that I was the 4th case he had been involved with that had this problem. Always in the same place in the tubing and is a manufacturers defect. He also informed me that he will be talking with the manufacturers of my band about their financial responsibility for the cost of the parts and the replacement surgery. I feel that is completely appropriate. They have damaged his reputation with their faulty product. What I want to know is, should I go after them for the cost of the flights, hotel, medications, weight gain, physical toll, emotional damage? Or do you think I am making too much out of this? I am obviously new to this and would love some constructive input.

ok, so I am almost 2 weeks out from my port replacement and doing fairly well. I did have to get my lortab refilled. I had trouble sleeping. Still am not losing. But I figured I would have to get a fill right away anyway. I am wanting to ask you all your opinion on something. Dr K said he would be going after the manufacturer for the cost of the surgery and such. What I was wondering, is should I make a case for extra? With all the flights, hotels, recovery time, weight gain, wasted time etc.? What do you all think? I have obviously never been in a position like this before and would love some input. Thanks! <!-- / message --> <!-- sig -->

ok, so I am almost 2 weeks out from my port replacement and doing fairly well. I did have to get my lortab refilled. I had trouble sleeping. Still am not losing. But I figured I would have to get a fill right away anyway. I am wanting to ask you all your opinion on something. Dr K said he would be going after the manufacturer for the cost of the surgery and such. What I was wondering, is should I make a case for extra? With all the flights, hotels, recovery time, weight gain, wasted time etc.? What do you all think? I have obviously never been in a position like this before and would love some input. Thanks!

Hang in there, Shellyh You will be banded before you know it. A few months is a bummer, but a necessary wait. You want to be very healthy for the surgery! Don't put too much pressure on yourself about the weight gain, either...that's why we are all here :scared2:. If we could lose it (and keep it off!) on our own, we would not need the band. I have been bouncing around with a minimal loss before I start my pre-op next diet next week. I think mentally I know I'm going to be entering a new phase of life and I will enter it with a lot of help from the band, so I'm not beating myself up over not achieving a huge pre-surgery weightloss (like I imagined back in March). It's not a race, it's a journey. Best of luck to you!

It really is unfortunate that marriage is a factor in our weight gain same here for me, I am still married and probably on the virge of my first divorce we have been married for ten years and I just can't believe that this is happening to me :0( Thanks for the positive post!

I am scheduled for surgery on July 8th. I am nervous because my doctor/center didn't mandate a 'pre-op' diet of liquids. I am worried I have gained weight. Has anyone been denied surgery based on weight gain? I am about a 42 BMI and had no problem getting approved. PLEASE HELP. Should I do my own protien diet?

I have always had a weight problem, with weight gains and losses, but now I am out of control with my weight. I am over 300 lbs. 17 months ago, I was at 200 lbs. I am so miserable, so depressed, that the doctors keep putting me on diets that don't work, and I honestly follow them. I actually excercise too. I think it's the depression pills they have me on along with my other meds that are making me gain so much. I need help. Does anyone know if Kaiser pays any part of the surgery?:scared2:

Hello, I had a lap band in January of 2006. I lost weight very slow but steady and all was good for about 2 and a half years. I got food poisoning and had to have all of my fluid removed. After that I was never able to get my restriction right. Ok maybe that sounds crazy but thats what happened. Also in the last two years I have been v'miting and acid reflux, no eating in the morning, can't ever get full blah blah blah. Oh did I mention weight gain. Recently I went and had another fill and explained that I had been feeling worse than usual but some days I can eat way to much and others nothing. My doc sent me to have an abdominal scan and an upper gi. Well I have gallstones and my band was so tight that the barium would not go down. My doc then told me I had to have some fluid removed, and then told me that I should consider the sleeve because he thinks that I won't be able to tolerate any more fills. So I had the fluid removed and now of course I have zero restriction. This is scary I can eat whatever and big portions. I'm sorry for being so winded I just wanted to give some background. I am going on 7-8-10 to get a surgery date hopefully at the end of July for the sleeve. Ok finally my question is has anyone had the band to sleeve revision and the gallbladder out at the same time and what type of recovery should I be expecting. Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks so much.

:scared2:My Band is not tight enough. When I went in 2 weeks ago to get my unfill, my doctor was not there so I had another doctor do it. I was so sick I did not care who did it, but I told her to only take out 1/2 cc - that was what was put in me by my doctor on my last fill date appointment. But I think she wanted to be safe and just took out more then the 1/2 cc. I'm not restricted enough and I can feel the difference. I can drink liquids right after I eat, and there is nothing telling me that am full. I FEEL LIKE THAT OIL SPILL IN THE GULF - NEVER ENDING - I KEEP GOING AND GOING AND GOING, eating that is. I have gone up a few pounds and that is scaring the heck out of me. The things I am eating are healthy things, fruit, low cal snacks, and fish, the same as I was eating before. But I'm going up in weight, not down. For the life of me I do not know why. The only thing I can think of is that my band is just not tight enough. It may be that I am also retaining water, but I do not see any particular reason for that because I am continuing to limit my salt intake. So I have a appointment on 7/7 with my surgeon. But I am not waiting that long. I am scared that I will gain to much weight back by then. Let me put a stop to this weight gain now, I told myself. So I called them and they gave me an appointment for 6/30. The thing that is getting me is this - I am eating all the same foods, doing all the same things as when I was loosing weight, eating right and exercising. This is starting to make me very depressed. The last time I felt this depressed was before my surgery. So, now I am trying to keep a stiff upper lip about everything that is going on now. I was at my sweet spot before, and I know I will get back there again, hopefully on Wednesday, 6/30. I'm still doing my Recipes of The Day that I share with you all on a daily basis, and continuing to exercise. I'm looking at this as a small bump in the road.

Was your band to sleeve revision done as a band removal first followed by a subsequent VSG to allow your stomach tissue to heal? Or were you able to have it done in one operation? If the latter, how long did your surgeon want your band empty so that the tissue could relax as much as possible before surgery? I guess that the risks of leaks are higher with the single operation method because the tissue is more fragile and there may be more scar tissue from the band. But the alternative involves being put under twice (each time is a risk, plus pain!), and you're highly likely to be gaining (potentially a lot of) weight during that interim period. My surgeon requires a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery, and I'm hoping if I get the band emptied right beforehand, that would help the healing and prevent the weight gain. But is that a safe plan?

I'm in.. I've lost my motivation lately and have been eating a lot of snacks and slider foods... resulting in a 10 pound weight gain :smile2::thumbdown: I need to be accountable!!!

After being banded 1.5 weeks, my doctor decided to move me from liquids to mushies. I was enjoying the great weight loss on the liquid diet and not getting hungry. I'm worried about gaining weight on mushies and solid foods. The doc indicated that I should be on solid foods my next appointment. Are my worries unfounded? He indicated I shouldn't worry about calorie counts, just recognizing feelings of fullness. I don't know what to think of expect.

Without knowing what you're eating its hard to say. I know there's some that prescribe to the diet after lapband method but I'm not one of them. I got this so I can eat normally, just in controlled portions. I lose 2-4lbs a week eating whatever I want, but I make sure to eat balanced meals that provide me with the necessary calories and protein that allow me to continue to lose. I'm not so sure that WW can really provide you with the special needs of the Lapband, but I don't know for sure and if it works for you, GREAT! I can tell you though, that weekly weighins aren't always helpful, I make it a point to only weigh myself once a month because as women our weight can fluctuate dramatically from week to week. Also you mentioned you're working out.. it's quite possible that you're gaining muscle which is GREAT. That's the catalyst you need get you to the next level of fat burning. At month 3 I had lost 74lbs post op at month 5 I gained 40lbs back in muscle in month 6 I lost more weigh for a total of 43lbs lost since surgery. At first I was devastated but when I realized my body NEEDED that muscle gain to lose more and not to mention although the scale is up my sizes are down *BONUS* It'll all even out... I would say if you're doing all the right things and you're not seeing the scale move it's one of 3 things: 1.) Not enough calories - Starvation mode as you said. 2.) Not enough or too much protein 3.) Muscle mass weight gain. Hope the visit to the nutritionist is helpful to you! Best wishes!

In need of thoughts and prayers. My first knee replacement surgery is Tue. of next week. They took all the fluid out of my band about an hour ago :smile: I had lost another 5 lbs. in one week. Total of about 60 lbs. She said to expect weight gain right after surgery because of all the fluids they give you. She said I could gain up to 5 lbs. but will lose it quickly after I'm off the IV. Anyway, my band is empty! Oh No!!! I haven't been hungry at allllllllll. I wonder if this will turn my hungry switch back on. We shall see. I can get the fluid put back in two weeks. Wish me well and think of me!!! I am looking forward to improvement in my mobility. Love, Dottie

interesting concept there motherof4. . never thought about doing that. . maybe i'll try it next time a craving hits and i'm not really hungry. . .retraining really sucks. . . i struggle with it every day. . before surgery i thought it wouldn't be all that hard, damn it's hard! tomorrow i start my 5 day pouch test to get back on track. . .no weight gain yet, but it could happen any time soon huh?????? that would be a tragedy!

I too have had a hysterectomy, and although I still have my ovaries, I have had menopausal symptoms. My dr. referred to them as post-surgical ovarian failure. My weight increased by 20 lbs. almost immediately after the hyster and has since been impossible to remove anything gained, resulting in even more weight gain. I am too young to safely take oral HRT until age 50 and HRT patches burned my skin. I really hope that a lack of hormones will not hinder my weight loss after lap-band!!! :bored: