Question:
laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding

I am considering having this type of surgery in Mexico since they dont allow it in the states just yet. I would like to here from other people who have had this type of surgery, there weight loss, complications and any other info they can give me. My Dr. is part of the ILOST team.    — Patty R. (posted on May 11, 1999)

June 3, 1999
I have just had a lapband placed (18th May '99). The surgery was done laproscopically, so I was up and walking around after about 8 hours and home two days later. I can honestly say that so far I believe this is the best decision I have made to regain control, not just of my weight, but my life. I have lost 12 kg (26 lbs) in 17 days. I am still in the liquid phase and I don't feel hungry and I exercise regularly. I contemplated this for 2 years, did my research and I feel this is the best way for me to do it. It is even reversible if any problems do occur. It is a pity that you have to go to another country to have this procedure.
   — Meryl V.

July 13, 1999
AGB patients don't think this surgery is a gimmack. Read what they have to say on [email protected]. This is the safest surgery with the fewest complcations and no to be dismissed as a "gimmack"
   — Sue M.

February 16, 2000
Although the doctor is informed on many areas of wls, this is not one of them. There are reams of data on this surgery, it has been done succesfully in Europe for years, although it is new to the U.S.. Ignorance is why many doctors advise morbily obese patients to not have wls surgery, and that is also why Dr. Goodman is so quick to dismiss the lap band. For patients interested in this surgery check the web site , www.bandsters.com there are many good links. Dr. Goodman may find it enlightening too.
   — [Anonymous]

November 20, 2000
I am in England United Kingdom.. It angered me to read the posts from people who claim there is not long term success data with this procedure. This is ROT, I am in regular touch with people who have had their band nearly 3 years and are still losing weight and are changing their lifestyle. Weight loss is not just about some mechanical method of stopping you eat. It requires dealing with the psychological issues too. I have been in Psychiatric therapy for 6 months and for the first time in my 28 year life I am finally ready to start the incredible journey to Safe lifegiving weight - I am looking forward to my Band operation next January. If you want this surgery. Push the USA FDA to look more into the European success. Compaired to the RNY this surgery is a much safer option with huge success. Give it a go.
   — Sarah W.

November 20, 2000
My surgeon is one of the test sites that offers the AGB and 8 banded people were at our last support group. While I don't know what the total numbers are, of the 8, four had been revised to BPD/DS, another to RNY and 2 more were awaiting BPD/DS revision. I disagree with much of what the previous UK poster said about the long term success of this procedure and the psychological roots of morbid obesity. I've had much more than 6 months of therapy trying to change my eating behaviors, and if psychologists could "fix" morbid obesity, we wouldn't be needing WLS. They have a worse success rate than Weight Watchers. I sure would rush out for this procedure w/o doing a lot more research from people who were post-op more than 3 years. If you check the clinical results of long term malabsorptive procedures such as the BPD/DS you will see that in actuality the danger is exaggerated, and certainly less chancy than regaining back to morbid obesity from a purely restrictive, easily outeaten procedure.
   — Jill L.

November 20, 2000
My surgeon is one of the test sites that offers the AGB and 8 banded people were at our last support group. While I don't know what the total numbers are, of the 8, four had been revised to BPD/DS, another to RNY and 2 more were awaiting BPD/DS revision. I disagree with much of what the previous UK poster said about the long term success of this procedure and the psychological roots of morbid obesity. I've had much more than 6 months of therapy trying to change my eating behaviors, and if psychologists could "fix" morbid obesity, we wouldn't be needing WLS. They have a worse success rate than Weight Watchers. I sure would rush out for this procedure w/o doing a lot more research from people who were post-op more than 3 years. If you check the clinical results of long term malabsorptive procedures such as the BPD/DS you will see that in actuality the danger is exaggerated, and certainly less chancy than regaining back to morbid obesity from a purely restrictive, easily outeaten procedure.
   — Jill L.

May 2, 2001
I, myself, have done ALOT of research about the adjustable gastric band. I initially wanted the gastric bypass...but having seen my sister-in-law struggle with this procedure I was relieved to find out there is another alternative. She had a gastric bypass done about 6 years ago. Her weight loss was FAB...but about 3 years later she broke her ankle. To date, it has not healed, and she is slowly putting her weight back on. She is inquiring about a revision of the surgery. I am due to have my band placed in 6 days. If, down the road, my band fails it can be removed completely, and I'll have minimal scarring from the lap procedure. Being that her surgery is now failing her, she has a horrid scar and will most likely be opened again. RNY vs DS vs AGB vs VBG....they ALL have successes AND failures. Each person must choose their own course of action and what they can live with. I myself look forward to my procedure. If it fails...and I don't think it will...then I can place it on the shelf with all the other gimmick diets that doctors have put me on my whole life. Remember KNOWLEDGE is POWER.
   — Angela G.

May 8, 2001
GIMMICK?????? And how exactly do you derive at this? I am living proof it is no gimmick. Can you give me the same assurance??? I find it extremely ignorant when people talk about something they know nothing about. <sigh> Well...Just FYI...there is ALOT and I mean A L O T of misinformation about the AGB going around. Tons of it is outdated and half made up...lol. Boy..the horror stories I have heard. You can get more real information from the thousands of people that have actually gotten the AGB. For example...ME :o) I love my band. Absolutely love it. And belong to a group of OVER 450 people that have been banded and probably 425 love it too. They range from people up to 500lbs to 200lbs. They have lost up to 100% of their excess weight to 30%. The band is awesome if you know how to work with it...and you don't get ANY of your insides stapled or cut. Check out my site at: http://thekarmalounge.com/myband.html or Bandsters at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bandsters/join or http://www.geocities.com/laylaburd/AGB/laylaslapband.html or http://members.home.com/adjband/jessie.htm or http://nav.webring.yahoo.com/hub?ring=agbwebring&id=4&hub
   — Monica F.

May 9, 2001
I understand its the prefered surgery in Europe and although the weight loss is initially lower long term its anout the same. Its less invasive, has fewer complications, adjustable, reversible, and its expected to receive FDA approval very soon for generl US use.
   — bob-haller

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