Long Term Side Effects

[Linda23585]

I have not yet been banded, but expect to be soon. Is there anyone who has been banded for a year or more? Have you maintained the weight loss or lost all that you had hoped to lose? Any side effects down the road? If someone asks you to dinner are you able to go and eat most of what is served only in much smaller portions? Popcorn is my all time favorite food....will I ever be able to eat even just a cupful of it again? Any information anyone can offer me about what life is like down the road would be appreciated!

Linda

[Chelley]

Linda,

I see that no one has answered your post and there is a plausible explaination for that... a lot of us here are newly banded. This web forum hasn't been in existence that long, but there are a few on the forum that drop in time to time and reading their shared experiences are pearls of wisdom to all of us newly banded folks.

I've been banded for 3 months and it has not been a tip-toe through the daisies, but it hasn't been hell either. Do I regret having the band? Absolutely NOT! I still think it was a decision to SAVE MY LIFE. As a result of being banded, my blood sugar levels have normalized and I no longer have to inject myself with insulin 3-4 times a day! I put a lot of time and energy into researching Dr. Ortiz, having surgery in Mexico, and making the decision to have this life-altering surgery and even with all that prep time and my experience as a nurse, I was suprised to find myself floundering after surgery and having all these feelings that I couldn't process because I've been self medicating with food all my life! You are wise to ask questions of people who have been banded for over a year because they have gone through the range of emotions from excitement, hope, thrill, disillusionment as you seek that perfect fill, discovery that food is not your best friend anymore ... to finally success with a measure of contentment.

Lapbandtalk at www.lapbandtalk.com is a forum online that I also participate in that is very frank where you may be able to get the response you are seeking from long term banded patients. Best wishes to you on your journey to a healthier life.

Chelley

[LoriBecky]

Hi,

I'm not only newly banded, but new to work with OCC as well. If you'd like to email me directly with your question I can get in you touch with some of my associates that have been banded much longer, and they can get back to you - you can always call us at the toll free # as well!

[NotAsPleased]

I have been banded for, I guess, 4 years. I have lost count because I am not very satisfied with it. Total, I have lost about 80 pounds. The lapband didn't work as well on me as some people because I have been overweight all my life, so I could still work, move around, go up stairs without losing my breath, and so on. For the past few years, I have stayed at my current weight. From the beginning, there were certain foods that I couldn't eat, however, they were not the foods that I was told I wouldn't be able to eat. I was told beforehand to start getting used to not having rice, pasta, steak, bread, and so on. I do not have a problem at all with any of that stuff. I have a problem with lettuce, tomatoes, apples, grapes, plums, corn, peppers, etc. Anything with a tough skin or requires alot of chewing, I can't eat. I think I am in worse health since I had the lapband put in, than I was before. I have developed GERD since having the band, my cholesterol has gone up. Some of my meds that I am on now cause dry mouth, so I have to sip something while I eat, otherwise, I can't swallow my food. I was told my other bandsters, before I got mine put in, that they were full after eating a couple of bites of food...that's not my case. Some days, I can eat a full meal, like I ate before my band. Just a few things that nobody seems to mention when trying to get you to have surgery, but a few things I think should be mentioned. Make sure you look thru all your options and what you will be giving up before you decide on having surgery.

[LoriBecky]

Not,

when were you last checked under fluoroscopy? I'm wondering if you need another fill. If you are able to eat a full meal it would seem you don't have enough restriction.

[chrissysdolphin]

I have had 2 sister who had gastric bypass and I chose to have lapband. I am happy with it. Everyone must have a tolerance for what food they can and cannot eat. I have been banded for 3 months and I enjoy salads, corn apples and pretty much anything I try. I was not able to eat asparagus but that is just me. We do not loose weight as fast as bypassers but we also do not have a great a likelyhoood that we will need tummy tucks because our skin has more timeto get back its elasticity if you drink pleanty of water. please search all of the sites you can so you have all of your questions answered. I will not lie the entire trip to mexico was not perfect. the clinic does have some issue with transportation and they don't always get back to you right away but the surgery itself and the aftercare at the clinic was superior and I would do it again in a heartbeat. good luck.

[Guest marys]

Hi Linda and others,

I've been banded about 6 months but i now know/have met several bandsters that have been banded for 3+ years - many at goal, some still working to get there. Everyone is different and you will be too with the proper fill you still will be able to eat like a normal person and go to restaurants, etc. Band friendly food is a bit trickier as again everyone is different and every day can be different with the band - one day you might be able to get chikcen down and the next no way - it's a bit of a mystery. BUT you should be able to eat most foods if chewed to mush, and you take very small bites, swallow and wait at least 3o seconds between bites - it's really the way most 'natural' eaters eat now bbut something most of us struggle with. The band has only been around in the us for about 5 years i believe but ther are some studies and much longer outside the us - you can check with inamed the maker of the band and some of the other websites mentioned earlier but outside 10 or so years, you won't find much. But of the folks studied - the results are pretty darn good - there are some complications but other then erosion - most can be fixed pretty easily. i hope to die with this band in and have no major problems. i've had popcorn and most foods with no trouble though really doughy or plain breads don't work good and i don't bother cuz why invite problems. i'm a bit more careful with spicy foods too as they are more irritating to me at times and alcohol is pretty restricted not only for the calories but also cuz im a severe lightweight with alcohol before and especially after surgery. The only thing i can think of that i've given up completely is carbonated beverages no soda, beer or champagne again for me - it's not been a big deal. ggood luck to ya. Mary

[Bundle]

Hi Linda and others,

I've been banded about 6 months but i now know/have met several bandsters that have been banded for 3+ years - many at goal, some still working to get there. Everyone is different and you will be too with the proper fill you still will be able to eat like a normal person and go to restaurants, etc. Band friendly food is a bit trickier as again everyone is different and every day can be different with the band - one day you might be able to get chikcen down and the next no way - it's a bit of a mystery. BUT you should be able to eat most foods if chewed to mush, and you take very small bites, swallow and wait at least 3o seconds between bites - it's really the way most 'natural' eaters eat now bbut something most of us struggle with. The band has only been around in the us for about 5 years i believe but ther are some studies and much longer outside the us - you can check with inamed the maker of the band and some of the other websites mentioned earlier but outside 10 or so years, you won't find much. But of the folks studied - the results are pretty darn good - there are some complications but other then erosion - most can be fixed pretty easily. i hope to die with this band in and have no major problems. i've had popcorn and most foods with no trouble though really doughy or plain breads don't work good and i don't bother cuz why invite problems. i'm a bit more careful with spicy foods too as they are more irritating to me at times and alcohol is pretty restricted not only for the calories but also cuz im a severe lightweight with alcohol before and especially after surgery. The only thing i can think of that i've given up completely is carbonated beverages no soda, beer or champagne again for me - it's not been a big deal. ggood luck to ya. Mary

Hi. I'm new to this website. I had a lapband put in in 2000, when I was living in Italy. Initially it was great, lost 70 pounds, had alot of energy, etc. Then my marriage started going downhill fast (apparently my weight really wasn't the problem!)and I went back to my old ways of eating and found ways to absolutely cheat the band, My band is as full as is safe too. We all know buy now that ice cream, butter, sugar, etc slides right through the smallest opening. I have been in therapy with an eating disorders therapist for over a year. I wish I had seen someone beforeI had the surgery. I probably wouldn't have had it, but maybe I would have startted working on some of my food issues before I developed bulimia. Sorry to be so negative-but I was not expecting to be back at my pre-surgery weight 6 years later, and I am, and I want others to know.

[Bundle]

Bundle here again. I honestly don't know if I would do it again. I do know that had I had counselling beforehand with an eating disorder specialist, I probably would have been discouraged from having surgery.

I believe there are some people for whom this is a good option, I'm just not sure whether I'm one of them.

[LoriBecky]

Hi Bundle,

I'm sorry you have had such a rough time. I hope your counseling and recovery go well. The good news is that once you feel more in control, your band will still be there, helping you back to a healthy weight. We are all anxious to hear about your progress.

[JennaR]

The only side effect that I have noticed is that the lapband is LONGTERM and not LIFELONG. The band is not designed to be permanant. Inamed has confirmed this to me as the band will need additional surgeries and "maintenance" to keep working. I wish I had known this beforehand. But.... my band is doing its job and working very well for me. I have lost my weight and am down to my last few pounds. I love my band and will be sad when something happens that makes it "expire" but I will not reband, I will convert to bypass at that time.

[Linda23585]

The only side effect that I have noticed is that the lapband is LONGTERM and not LIFELONG. The band is not designed to be permanant. Inamed has confirmed this to me as the band will need additional surgeries and "maintenance" to keep working. I wish I had known this beforehand. But.... my band is doing its job and working very well for me. I have lost my weight and am down to my last few pounds. I love my band and will be sad when something happens that makes it "expire" but I will not reband, I will convert to bypass at that time.

Thanks for the input Jenna. I appreciate it!