I want that LBD without complications!!!

[Sarahmaria]

Hi guys. Im at the start of my weight loss surgery journey and trying to decide which surgery would be best for me. At the minute i think im pretty set on a sleeve but just looking for last minute advice from u banders to see if i can be swayed.
The thing that worries me about a band is the late complications-erosions, slippages etc and also the long term-im in my 20s-can a band really last 40/50 odd years (if i live that long!!)
I know these are all questions i can ask my surgeon but thought i should get advice from the real experts first!!

Xo

 

[JO28172]

Well my band is only 7 months old so come back to me in a few years lol. All I can say I love love love my band I work with it as a tool, it will let me eat the occasional treat without risk of dumping so for me it's not that anythings a no no just all about moderation. For me I didn't want a part of my body being cut etc however I understand that others don't want an alien in their body either, but I do love what I have, it's got me 6 stone off after all.

Sent from my iPad using WLSurgery

 

[Fizzpot]

I'm early twenties! I asked my surgeon the same thing. He said that the procedure has been done for 30years and If we do what we're supposed to do the band should last. He went into percentages And All that jazz but i cant remember.
The band can be taken out also if there are problems. I've also got to mention the band needs a lot of bloody good will power as you can still eat the naughties.
(i haven't any will power) but I'm trying!! Good luck with your decision xx

 

[Thump]

I understand medical grade silicone can last for decades, it doesn't rust or degrade. I've a silicone menstrual cup I've been using for ten years and it's in perfect condition still. Not quite the same but same material at least.

I chose the band because it can easily be adjusted with fills and defills and I can reverse it if I have reason to. The possibility of reversing it is what really sold the band to me. You never know what life will throw at you so I like to keep my options open. It's also the safest and least invasive of the WLS. The risks you mention, erosion and slippage are apparently very rare and are due more the patient's behaviour (living with a too tight band for example or eating the wrong way) than to the band itself.

You get more drastic results with bypass and sleeve but you need to consider what your life will be like after the op, not just "I'll weigh this much on this date" but also whether your lifestyle and future plans will be impacted by the realities of surgery (dumping, malabsorption of nutrients...). Only you can know the exact details of what you need and what you can handle. The old pro and con column technique might be helpful

Good luck, whatever you choose!