Well, that is just downright heartbreaking. 

The old, "Just cuz it happened to YOU doesn't mean it'll happen to ME" approach... it never gets old, does it?  

Sorry to hear your sister is making a colossal mistake. I hope she won't be damaged by the band like so many of us. 

They're still doing bands because a lot of people make a lot of money from them. But that's slowly changing, too. 

He made his decision, but it also has an impact on everyone else. Look at all the insurance companies who are refusing to remove bands... and saying, "One shot, that's it."  I can't blame the insurance companies. They know that the band will have to come out. Why would they want to pay for that... over and over?  Every time someone chooses a band without doing enough research, it affects every other person. It's their right to choose the band, but I definitely think that they're doing the rest of the population a disservice in doing so. I hope that he does well. But the statistics say that even if he does lose weight, it's not a lifetime solution... and hopefully he won't end up being harmed by it. 

Well, I'll tell what's the matter with me:

I have diaphragmatic damage from the band, causing referred left shoulder pain. I have gastritis, a hiatal hernia, adhesions and esophageal issues from the band. And I'm tired of watching people suffer with the same complications because the band manufacturers are full of it. 

The band is the worst. And hopefully he won't be horribly damaged like so many of us have been. I truly hope he's successful. He chose a really bad surgery, however.  It's a damned shame that someone didn't talk him out of it. 

He must not be very good at researching.  

The band is one of the dumbest inventions ever. It damages. That's what it's good for: damage to your innards.

Don't do it. Seriously, save yourself a lot of pain and anguish. 

The Lap-Band is not meant to be a "lifetime" device, according to the manufacturers. It's not uncommon for most bands to need removal around the 3 year mark. If your insurance has implemented a "One WLS per lifetime" clause, you could really be in an unfortunate situation. 

Referred left shoulder pain from irritation of the Vagus nerve system is VERY common with banding. Google-- Gastric band+ referred left shoulder pain and research this before making a decision. (I had severe left shoulder pain which was chronic. Even after band removal, I have it intermittently.) 

Read the revisions forum, as well. You're doing the right thing in looking at it from all sides. It's imperative to know the "negative" when making such a huge life decision. I wish you the very best in your researching, Heather. I hope you'll make a decision that you're comfortable with.

GOOD LUCK! 

The Infamous Two Year Mark when everything goes south with the band.

Sorry you had to go through that. So many of us have had the same experience.

If I had to choose a surgery now (and I had my band removed and did not revise because of damage) I'd choose the VSG or the Duodenal Switch, personally.  If I could get away with just restriction, I'd choose the sleeve. If I knew I'd find a way to sabotage myself, I'd choose the DS.

Good luck to you!

I had the lap band done 10 years ago. Worst decision ever. Totally regret it.

Had it removed about 8 years ago, still have damage and pain from it.

I would NOT recommend the lap band under any cir****tances. It's damaging and it guarantees further surgery or surgeries down the road.  It's not a good device, no matter what the advertising tries to make people believe. They've admitted finally that it's not meant to be a "lifetime device." Most lap bands won't  make it past 10 years. And it causes adhesions, which make it difficult to revise to another surgery in a lot of instances. The failure rate is ridiculous.

My experience was with the band and it nearly killed me.  I'd recommend looking into the VSG or DS surgeries first and foremost.

Good luck to you, Jessica. I hope you research fully and choose the WLS that works best for you. In your research, please read the Revisions forum, too. You'll see which issues accompany each surgery.

I am positive that you could find a doctor who would do it for you. However, I would have no respect for that doctor.

Most medical professionals are moving away from gastric banding due to the horrible statistics. They're finally realizing how much damage gastric banding causes now that so many people are experiencing complications.

It's not a good short term or long term solution. If you do find a doctor who is willing to do a second banding surgery for you, I'd check his credentials very thoroughly, look into how many past patients are suffering from complications, and also expect to have subsequent surgery (or surgeries) down the line. The band is not a lifetime product.

Have you read the revisions forum here? There may be other options you might find amenable.

Good luck. I hope you'll take the advice given in this thread in the spirit of protectiveness. There have been too many people damaged by the band to just let it continue to happen without saying anything.

Take care,
Nic

Hi Melissa,

I'm terribly sorry you're experiencing this. I also had my band done about 10 years ago... but I had complications from the beginning and had it removed years ago. I have permanent damage from it, however.

I chose not to revise to any other WLS because of the traumatic nature of my banding experience. I have regained, of course. But I'm simply not willing to put my family and myself through it again, so I try to do it "on my own."   I can't advise you to move forward with any other surgery because I'm not in a position to do so, not having done it myself.

I do wish you the very best with whatever you ultimately decide to do. If you need a shoulder, feel free to message me and I will listen.

~Nicci