Lap-Band

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone. I just want to correct a couple of points in this post. The

Lap-Band has been used very successfully in Europe for the past 15 years. In

fact it is the safest of all weight loss surgeries. Now that it has come to

the US and been approved by the powers that be, more and more doctors are

training to perform it. It is likely in a few years it will be the only

weight loss surgery paid for by private insurance. That is how it has

tracked in Canada and Europe.

Success is measured in many different ways. In the last 15 years in Europe

no cases were reported of anyone dying from the Lap-Band procedure.

Complications are minimal since the organs are not dissected and the whole

surgery is easily reversible.

What is a fact is you do not lose weight as fast with the lap band because

it only restricts intake. Over a five year period people with the lap band

compare favorably to people with the LAP-RNY.

I had an open RNY and have endured a significant amount of complications.

One of the big disadvantages to the RNY is that many people, after their

initial bump will regain all or part of their weight. It is an ongoing

battle to keep it off and their is very little the doctor can do to help

you. He can do a revision and move your bypass further down but if you are

eating past your surgery. With the Lap-Band the doctor has an ongoing tool

he can help you with. If you start to gain some weight, he ads some saline

which tightens the band thereby decreasing the size of your pouch. If you

need a break from it all, he can remove saline and open you up to eat

whatever you want for a few days.

So the Lap-Band is the only procedure that lets the doctor stay an active

participant in your weight loss goal. None of these procedures are perfect

and none of the doctors are perfect. You have a lot less chance of dying

from the Lap-Band and over the long haul, a greater chance of keeping the

weight off. Don't let the newness of it scare you off - there are some

really good Dr.s like Dr H Spivak (Baytown) and Dr (Houston) doing

this procedure with good success.

On Tuesday I will learn if I have to go in for another major surgery to have

this infected mesh removed. I had a cat scan on Thursday with the dies and

everything. I have some new major tunneling and am on my 7th round of

Vancamiascin to try and kill these infections. If they have to cut, it will

be the fourth surgery in two years and will be a 12 hour operation. I will

sure need your prayers.

Davenport

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I was suppose to go to my track 4 class on May 26th at SSF. After

reading all of your posts about the lap-band, I called SSF to ask

about it. I was told that they are not offering it yet. The person who

answered the phone suggested I call Richmond or Freemont. I called

Richmond and they said they would take me into the lap-band program. I

am soooo excited!!! I really think this is a better choice for me. I

know I won't lose weight as fast, but I like the fact that it is not

so invasive. I do have to start back at square one and attend all the

classes for this, but I will be patient. I appreciate all of you who

made me aware they were even offering this through your posts. I will

let you know when I receive my first appointment and keep you posted

on my progress. Thank you so much.