Considering LapBand? READ this first...

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

fern, I thank you for sharing as I think the risk from the lapband are often understated.

I found out today from my docs office that the band removal is a more technically difficult surgery then doing the sleeve because they have to cut away some scar tissue and stuff.... I sure didn' t know that when I was banded.

[ccbcdeke 11]

Wow. I feel like I dodged a bullet by not being able to have the band. So happy with my sleeve. I'm also glad my wife got the sleeve instead of the band like she originally wanted.

[Lanette 124]

Okay, I have been banded since March 2001 (and need to have the band removed now due to slippage) and while I am NOT a band advocate I feel that some of what was stated was not exactly right on target with my experiences, for example

-there is no reason to be unfilled when you fly/travel. I traveled ALOT for business in the first year I was banded (as in several times a month for that first year) and I never had a problem whether it be planes, trains or automobiles.

-I have never experienced or heard of this mucus thing... sounds like someone who is way too tight

Jane- just wanted to clarify that the things posted (including flying issues and mucus thing) were on the handout from the LapBand surgeon at the meeting...not anything I came up with. I know there are lots of people that have no issues with flying, but there were at least 3 in the room (out of about 20-25) that had problems with flying. What I was meaning was that b/c I fly so much for work that it wasn't a risk I was willing to take. The only thing I know about the mucus thing was that everyone was giving their "home remedies" for what they use to clear them. It all sounded very 'normal' to them, which was what was so sad to me. I'm glad to hear that you didn't have these issues. I just copied the questions word for word and put as many comments as I could remember in hopes that it would prevent even one person from having to go through these side effects or even worse, a revision. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with the group.

[tjharmon 11]

I am really surprised there is anyone still doing the band--sounds like way to many problems!!!

[TheSkinnyCow73 72]

This is a great post!!!! I thought I would bring it back up to the top of the list for those of you that are thinking that the band is a good option.

I am a former band patient (not the lapband) on my way to being sleeved and cannot wait to be able to have restriction AND keep food down!!!!