40% need new surgery

I speak at my surgeons seminar once a month. He was talking about how they are starting to not do as many Lap Band surgeries as recent statistics are now showing 40% of all Lap Band patients will need to have surgery again to remove the band because of problems or weight loss failure and opting for a sleeve or bypass.

THAT IS A HIGH NUMBER! I am thankful everyday I did not go with the band!

My surgeon did not encourage the lap-band at all.  He sees little long-term WL success with it.

Count me as one of t he 40%!  Sheesh!

My surgeon believes the band is on its way off the market.  He discourages all his patients from getting it - but some choose it anyway.

I also believe the band is not being used as often...and, I have noticed an increase in tv commercials promoting the lap band...hmm, I wonder what company is behind that....

Oh, and what I thought was worse, is that the commercial said that it was approved for those with only 30 lbs to lose, with ONE co morbidity.  Now, I do understand it could help with certain co morbidities, but, really, for 30 lbs??  They are definitely going for vanity now, not health.  Just MHO.

Sophie

my cities hospitals do not even do the lap band any more, results long term were so poor and upkeep of hte band an annoyance.

Thank you for sharing!! The band was my first decision, and I was refusing VSG because I was so scared. I am damn happy and lucky I picked VSG over band!! I did much research and came on here for quite a few weeks talking to all patients and I just saw so many complication postings on the band boards. I was scared.

Good call!  I wanted the sleeve when I got this dang thing, but insurance did not cover it and I was not for re-routing my intestines.  I wish I would have waited a couple more years until the sleeve was covered....ho humm  live and learn.....

I agree with you.  I started this process wanting a band... the more i thought about it and the more i researched, I finally decided vsg and I'm soooo happy I did.

Just to add on.  The Pittsburgh VA Hospital stopped doing the band about six months ago.  I also believe it's going to be another one of those procedures that they used to do.