Consumer Report Article

[GLove 44]

http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/02/lap-band-surgery-risks-think-twice-about-lap-band-surgery-for-weight-loss.html

[Jepegurl 23]

The article kinda hacked me off. I read it this morning and have been steaming about it all day.

[GLove 44]

Why are you steaming? Dont like what it says?

[bandbun 9]

I am new to this forum and support group, why come to a support group if u are so negative about the band..

I thought this forum was to support people who wanted/needed the band or had had it done..

My doctor who I trust suggested the band .. he doesnt get paid to promote the band where I live so I trust his judgement, not some survey, or your opinion.

[Shoshanna 98]

The article frosted my apricots a tad, too, and not because I didn't like what it has to say but because I question the author's motivation and interpretation of data.

Okay, let's consider a few things about the article, starting with the particular ax the author has to grind: a book called “The Treatment Trap: How the Overuse of Medical Care is Wrecking Your Health and What You Can Do To Prevent It,” 2010. She has a vested interest in emphasizing treatment problems and therefore her ability to be objective is a tad suspect.

Comparing dissatisfied customers of lap bands with Toyotas: a driver's physical and emotional health have no effect on a car's mechanical soundness; lapbanding is done on obese people who often have one or more comorbidities that may have a deletrious effect following any surgery, including bariatric surgery.

Nine percent needed some kind of surgical adjustment. 91% did not.

Four people experienced erosion; 295 did not.

Half the people who had the procedure reported nausea and vomiting. How soon after surgery did nausea and vomiting occur? Anesthesia makes me sick as a dog for a couple of days. Eating improperly with a band will cause sliming which as those of us who have experienced know is different from vomiting. Was there any distinction made between sliming and genuine nausea-induced vomiting?

Thirty-four percent suffered from gastroesophageal reflux. My GERD disappeared 100% immediately following surgery. The article does not note statistics for post surgery relief and does not mention whether or not GERD was pre-existing.

24 percent of people experienced band slippage (which might stem from excessive vomiting). And why were these people vomiting? Any statistics on pre-surgical bulemia?

14 percent developed stomach blockages. See eating improperly above.

[elcee 3,341]

I understand where glove is coming from.

She has had her own struggle with trying to decide if she should go ahead with the band or not. Most people when they are making a decision like to have information that backs up their opinion and confirms that the decision they have come to is right.

So if we are going ahead we look for success stories. If we are not then we look for stories that support that not going ahead is the right one.

It is good to look at both sides of the story so long as you understand the motivation behind a particular side. Each person can then decide for themselves if this information is useful to them or not.

[MeredithMcFee 98]

Working for a professional ophthamology practice for 20 years gave me insight, no pun here, to ever evolving medical procedures that were attacked on TV news shows, magazines, etc. You will always find someone who has a bad reaction, experience, etc to something they've had. When the RK {correct myopia with a blade which I had done BTW} became popular here in the early 90's, Laser resurfacing {diminishing wrinkles} Lasik {correcting myopia with a lazer} and EVEN Botox which was originally used to relax twitches in the eye area, we always had to wait for the onslaught of naysayers' to die down and educate the community with real percentages {as Shoshanna has succintly done above}. From what I read and researched before having this procedure I was extremely comfortable with my choice in the lapband as well as with my surgeon and his staff.

Having said that, my cousin had this procedure back when it was in the early studies and she has never had a problem and has kept her weight loss of 100lbs down since then. I'm still a "newbie" as I'm 9 weeks out today and so far, I've not had any problems. I am loving this tool and how it's teaching me to eat to live, not live to eat.

[Dulci 108]

I love my band and I am sure it was the correct choice for me. However, I do agree with the article. Any WLS is (or should be) a choice of last resort and one that should only be under taken after all attempts to lose weight and to maintain a healthy weight have failed. This is a serious surgery to address a serious a health problem.

There are risks to any surgery and they should be evaluated carefully before the procedure. The band is also requires extensive aftercare. It requires not only altering your diet but your method of eating. But if you are willing to work with the band, the band changes lives.

[habbaspilaw1 1]

Totally agree wih DULCI .....There are too many risks to any surgery and they should be firstly evaluated carefully before the procedure of surgery will go on.

[Marine mom 3]

It is what it is. The surgery does have risks. A friend just had his removed and was given a gastric sleeve. My doctor moved and it took me a year to find a doctor to do fills.

I just got my magazine and had just read the article. It wasn't in the least offendensive. I knew the risks and had done my research before my surgery. I knew that many are removed within the first three years. I was scared and anyone looking at a surgery should be.

I also have been to a dozen informational sessions and they all are dog and pony shows. It is an easy money maker. That doesn't make it bad. It is just the fact.

It gets ridiculous when it is suggested that the vomiting had to be self induced...because people don't get sick and vomit irl. My friend's stomach was pushed up through his band when he had the flu. Good grief.

I'm always amazed when people can't stand there being a second side to something...they must be lying or have an agenda...

[Yve 6]

Glove, continue to do your research because it is the best way to be educated especially with such a major life decision. Thanks for sharing the article......I know that you have mentioned previously that you were undecisive about the surgery. Only you can make that decision. I wish you well in whatever decision you make and that you may be at peace with yourself.

[LB4Me 35]

I love my lapband and am very glad I went ahead with the surgery. But it took me almost 2 years to come to the realization that it was the only option left for me. Surgery or life as an invalid, or worse yet - no life at all.

However, I do agree with the article for the most part. Lapband has become the new Fen Fen. Doctors working out of storefronts are starting the perform the surgery on just about anyone who wants to lose weight. There seems to be very little pre-counseling and even less after-care beyond costly fills. I see on here many who are unprepared for the lifetime of of committment and work that the band takes. They are led to believe that as soon as the band is in, thye weight will just melt off. And it scares me that these so-called diet doctors will start making grevious mistakes that will jeopardize something that can really help those of us that are morbidly obese.