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Tom you're probably my favorite cheerleader. I would pop on the Realize forum from time to time and always noticed it was a much more supportive place than the lap-band forum. You do a good job being neutral for the most part.
As far as those stats. That is just one study, but I have never seen ANY study where the band did not come out in LAST place of all the 4 major WLS's. Have you???
Maria,
You should know me, I never have any issues when someone “speaks from the heart with their experiences" when it comes to band issues. I feel this is sooooo important, especially when someone is thinking about it. They need to know it’s not all rainbows and unicorns.
I also have no issues if someone post medical facts when it comes to any of these operations, especially the band.
What I am questioning is THIS chart. (A) the information is obtained from 1990 to 2002. 2002 is 10 years ago, and I think (know) the bariatric world has changed in the last 10 years. IMHO this information is outdated, and may be misleading. It would be like me posting data obtained in the late 80’s – early 90’s about bypass success, when during that time many bypass patients were either failing or dying. (B) In a “previous" life I was a writer, and I helped write-up research articles. I’ve know what goes on “behind the scenes" when it comes to research articles. I’ve seen how certain outcomes are dismissed or omitted, because the data does not reinforce the original theory. So no matter what I see, I always question "how reliable is this information" (both pro and con).
Plus this “chart" only shows band; bypass and d/s. Where is the (updated) quantified data on all other operations, such as: BIB (BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon); Biliopancreatic Diversion; Fobi Pouch; MGB (mini-gastric bypass); VGB (vertical banded gastroplasty); VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) – just to name a few? Once I see the stats of all these operations, then I will be more inclined to say OPERATION Z is best choice, and OPERATION Q is the worst.
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
I do recall my surgeon saying he didn't know why, but the port on the Realize band seem to be less painful or sensitive than the LB. Also, at time of surgery they do not put fluid in the Realize while they do in the LB...or at least my surgeon doesn't. Due to the tubing/design, the Realize fills are a bit larger (typically) because it takes more fluid to get restriction.
A couple of months later, in Sept '11 I began having right upper quadrant pain and a lot of burping, stuck episodes, etc. Went back to the band doc and had an abdominal ultrasound and esophogram. The ultrasound was positive for gallstones, the esophogram showed the band in the proper place, no obstructions, but a slower than normal, but still not a cause for concern, emptying of the esophagus. I had my gall bladder out mid October and expected my symptoms to resolve. In November, 3 weeks after surgery, my FIL passed away and we had to go to California, where we stayed (except for a week here and there****il mid-April dealing with the estate. My symptoms returned and I started having the pain awake, asleep, etc and they became more frequent and severe. I also started having palpitations, reflux and a lot of stuck episodes. I would go for days at a time with jus****er and some soup. Eating became something I dreaded. Since I couldn't eat veggies or salad, I was constantly constipated and miserable in general.
As soon as I returned home, I went to my PCP again who sent me to a Cardiologist. I had a slew of tests, including a stress Echocardiogram, which was negative. My heart is actually very healthy for my age, 62 and my weight history. I did have very high blood pressure, which is currently managed with additional meds. The Cardiologist sent me back to the bariatric surgeon, I had an esophogram, which showed my stoma to be narrowed to the extent that just a trickle of barium was going through. I swallowed an imaging pill that should have passed through easily, and it just sat on top of my stoma. I only had 3.5 cc in an 11 cc band, so I wasn't overfilled. I either have scar tissue that has formed under my band, creating its own band, or the stomach had a wrinkle inside the band, obstructing the stoma. Since I continue to have the same symptoms (slightly improved) and have restriction, I am guessing it is scar tissue. I go back to the doctor July 17 for another esophogram to determine the next steps...don't think I am ever going to be refilled.
Think long and hard about how to manage your husband's obesity. Surgery of any kind has risks. Investigate thouroughly before you make a decision and make sure his surgeon is very experienced in the procedure he chooses.
I appreciate the weight loss I have experienced with my band and don't regret it at all. Not sure today if I would make a different choice, since I am a medicare patient and medicare doesn't yet cover the VSG, which is probably what I would choose.
Good luck!
Stephanie
6-7-13 band removed. No revision. Facebook Failed Lapbands and Realize Bands group and WLS-Support for Regain and Revision Group
1. Non-invasive: nothing enters the body
2. Minimally invasive: can be laprascopic or just a small incision to access an area near the surface of the skin. This is where you could draw a distinction between laprascopic and just a small surgery not requiring access to an internal organ.
3. Open: Usually a larger incision to allow for a better visualization of the operative field. Open procedures are becoming less and less common as laprascopic procedures become more sophisticated and allow for better visualization.
Bottom line...when a surgery is mentioned as being leaset invasive, it isn't your choice of surgery that is least invasive, it is the method of surgery. Coronary surgery can be minimally invasive or open depending on the individual cir****tances. I hope this clarifies things a bit.
Stephanie
6-7-13 band removed. No revision. Facebook Failed Lapbands and Realize Bands group and WLS-Support for Regain and Revision Group
My question is, why are there some people here (OH) so against the bands?
One person called it crap and said it should be taken off the market. I was shocked to hear that. What are some of your opinions on this?
Thankyou
6-7-13 band removed. No revision. Facebook Failed Lapbands and Realize Bands group and WLS-Support for Regain and Revision Group
