Outcome of what happened with surgeon today.

[NewSho 20]

Very good questions indeed.

I know the surgeons say this is rare and chances are slim, but heck...just on this little board it isn't rare! I have to wonder if the band can be in anyone long term? And if it can't, then why we do we go through this? :-(

I don't know if I qualify to even respond to this, since I know many European Bandsters who have had theirs for some time (longer than me, I've had mine 5 yrs this upcoming month). There are also some Mexican Bandsters who are around with longer term band experiences, if not on this forum, then certainly on others.

What's a "long" period of time? I don't know. Mine has stayed in (even though almost 5 ys ago, I had life-threatening illness after being banded) partially because no one knew much about the complications back in 2001.

Rejection is always a possibility but so far apparently the Band and I have found some truce. I did have my port & tubing replaced 13 months ago but it was done surgically as usual (*shrug*) and I don't think there were signs of me rejecting the band, per se.

However, my biggest concern is that after 5 years and 2 LapBand surgeries later, I've only gotten my BMI down to 30 or so. So technically I'm still listed as 'obese' according to BMI charts. That's hardly acceptable to me, and far more important, I still have more weight to use.

And if it can't, then why we do we go through this?

So to answer your second question sometimes I wonder why " I " particularly went through this.

Had I known a year ago that I still wasn't going to lose weight - then band rejection or not - instead of having my band port/tubing replaced - I would have been revised then (*sigh*) to another form of surgery. I wouldn't have gone through all I have done just to get down to this size. I'm VERY frustrated about that.

Here's the irony - now that my BMI is down to 30 - I no longer qualify for a revision.

So it's a tough position. So now I am undergoing series of tests to make sure the band is still OK.

If the band has a defect or needs to be removed - then I would DEFINITELY need a revision to another surgery at the same time. Period. Or else I have to fight it out with the band. I can't lose any more weight with my band being under-restricted but at least it's there. - if I am unbanded and without a restriction, then I fear I will return to my former weight without a doubt. And so help me, I live in fear that I'd get even bigger. I'd be inconsolable.

So it makes this a bit tough, but I'm not down yet.

Happy Band (and UnBanded) Journeys to all,

New Sho

[Anthony 1]

If you dont want the malabsorbtion, consider the Vertical Gastrectomy. This is the procedure that I had on 3-1-06

http://www.lapsf.com/weight-loss-surgeries.html

http://www.lapsf.com/vertical-gastrectomy-weight-loss-surgery.php

It has been quite the recovery process compared to the band, but surpisingly it didnt hurt as much. I have no hunger and I KNOW that I'm going to finally get to goal with this.