Periodic band replacement - reporting back from my doc visit

[sleepyjean 0]

This is a followup to a thread I started a couple of days ago about periodic band replacement. I saw my doctor yesterday and asked him about this and a few other things. I go to Cedars, which is the same place where Sharon Osbourne got banded. In fact, I think my doc assisted during her surgery. They've been doing the band at cedars-sinai a lot longer than the majority of programs in this country. Anyway, my doctor is a great guy. Here's what he had to say:

- When Sharon O. says the band can only be in your body for ten years, she's basically talking out of her rear end. (He didn't say it that way, of course). Obviously he couldn't give me details (patient confidentiality) but he said Sharon an atypical case because of her other health issues like chemotherapy, bulimia, etc.

- The band is for life. Barring unexpected issues or complications, once it is in there, it stays in there. Period.

- I asked why it is then that things like breast implants have to be replaced periodically but the band doesn't. He said those are more fragile, move around a lot more, and are more vulnerable to outside forces like car accidents, someone hitting you in the chest, etc. Those types of things aren't major issues for the band.

- I asked what about erosion over the long term from the band rubbing against the outside of your stomach. He said that the band is stitched on and doesn't move much at all. It's not like your stomach is in constant motion like your heart, so there's not a constant rubbing rubbing rubbing going on. He also said that erosion is very rare in their practice.

- I asked how often he had to convert the band to bypass because of things like having to have the band replaced, erosion, etc. He said he has only rarely had to do that procedure. In the few cases where he has done it, it was because the person learned how to cheat the band. They try to catch people who take in a lot of liquid calories during the screening processs and steer them towards GB rather than the band, but people can also defeat the screening process if they try.

- He said people usually have several fills during the weight-loss period because their innards are changing. (This was only my second since last May) The stomach shrinks, there's less fat pressing against it, hormone changes, etc. So you may have great restriction at one point, but that will probably change over time and you will need another adjustment. (I imagine this is less of an issue for low BMI bandsters. It also makes me wonder how many people have to have adjustments after Tummy Tuck, Lipo, breast implants, other procedures, etc.)

- He said you have to be aware of your restriction level for the rest of your life. This is something that always perplexed me because if you're at your goal weight for years, you'd think your body would be used to eating a certain amount. He said nope, that's not the case. You could be banded for ten years, and the minute you take that band out, the weight will probably start creeping back on. It's not that you'll all of a sudden start bingeing, but your body does realize that there's a lot more room in there than there was before and send that message to your brain. You are likely to increase your caloric intake gradually, without even realizing it. Ten pounds can slowly creep up on you in a year. And if you gain ten pounds a year every year for ten years, you'll eventually wind up right back where you started. (He wasn't trying to scare me or preach gloom and doom, just explain that this is really a lifelong process that doesn't end once you've reached goal weight. Obviously, you don't have to be as vigilant after that point, but don't expect that you can simply have the band removed or forget about it entirely - unless future medicine brings us some great new drug or other weight control method we can use instead of the band)

[nataliec 0]

Excellent reporting, Sleepyjean!:spy:

[CLAUDIAGDLMEX 0]

its so nice of you to take time and advice of the response your doctor gave you wise information to have in hand .. and always remember no excuses that what we have is a TOOL not a magic pill :rose:

:clap2:

[Alexandra 55]

Thanks for that wonderful summation, sleepyjean!

[TracyinKS 7]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for this WONDERFUL post!

[CCBSTX 0]

Thank you for the excellent report! Shawn

[jillrn 0]

cool- thanks

[Glogirl 0]

thanks for the info!!! I saved to help me in the future!!! Great work:)

[shrinkingamy 0]

Great post. I really feel much more relaxed after hearing some of those points. :clap2:

[bexleygal 1]

Thanks so much for this post