how long does the band last

slackaction · February 9, 2007

Who has had the band on for over 7 years anybody? I have read some horrible complication on this web site and was going to have this lap band very soon but after reading thsese different forums here I am having seconds thoughts now. slippage, acid reflux, coughing up blood,ect.. Is this a small majority or a 50 /50 chance or what? I am a male 52 years old and work on the railroad just curious about this procedure. I have went to a support group in Colombia Mo. yesterday and everyone there seem complications free. sorry for the dumb questions but want to find everything I can. thanks in advanced.

lisah25 · February 9, 2007

Who has had the band on for over 7 years anybody? I have read some horrible complication on this web site and was going to have this lap band very soon but after reading thsese different forums here I am having seconds thoughts now. slippage, acid reflux, coughing up blood,ect.. Is this a small majority or a 50 /50 chance or what? I am a male 52 years old and work on the railroad just curious about this procedure. I have went to a support group in Colombia Mo. yesterday and everyone there seem complications free. sorry for the dumb questions but want to find everything I can. thanks in advanced.

Not many of us who were banded in the US have had it that long, it hasn't been approved that long. A nurse at the clinic where I go has had hers for 8 years now. There was a thread not long ago about how long it lasts, if I can find it I'll link to it.

As far as complications, the vast majority of us don't have any outside of an occasional PB(productive burp, when what you just ate comes back up). While not fun, they aren't serious if it's just once in a while. Yes, there can be serious complications, it's important to know that there is some risk. For myself, that risk was much more acceptable then the risks of staying morbidly obese.

One other thought, boards like this, and support groups, tend to have either new people who are learning how to live a banded life, or those who have been banded for a while, but are having problems. Those who are veteran banders, and are doing just fine, don't post a lot.

giveyouthemoon · June 21, 2007

It's meant to last a lifetime. But yes, there can be complications. And the more people are banded, the more the doctors get smart about how to place it and sew it in.

I know for a fact the way my surgeon placed it was based on new research making it less likely to slip (although it still can).

What you have to do as a bandster is to take care of your band. That means trying to avoid vomiting, try to avoid eating too much and packing the pouch, that means making good food choices and taking care of yourself and seeing your doctor if stuff feels out of whack. The earlier you catch problems, the easier it is to resolve.

That being said, for some people it just doesn't work. For many, it works great. These boards aren't a good indication because you'll see more of the problems. You don't see the "hey, everything is going great....still...."

You know?