Lap Band Surgery Failure Stories
We have just posted a new article that compiles some Lap-Band surgery failure stories that are floating around the Internet. We also put them into perspective by adding a few success stories as well.
Click here to watch the success stories / videos
As you know, we try to present both sides of the bariatric surgery here at BLC, and this is another prime example. If you spend some time on YouTube looking at Lap-Band failure stories and videos, you’ll notice that most (if not all) of them were created by one particular doctor. That doctor specializes in the mini gastric bypass procedure, and it quickly becomes clear that he is one of the “band bashers.”
Here’s how the process usually unfolds. A doctor who does not perform gastric banding will feel threatened by the success stories and all of the advertising of the band surgeries. After all, the rising popularity of Lap-Band and similar banding procedures could hurt the doctor’s bypass business. So the doctor will seek out all of the negative / failure stories he can find, and he will present them for your reading or viewing pleasure.
In other words, always consider the source and take these things with a grain of salt. Many of the happy success stories you find online were collected and presented by Lap-Band surgery centers … for obvious reasons. Many of the failure stories you find online were gathered by gastric bypass doctors … again, for obvious reasons.
But there is some value in the surgery failure stories we have collected for you, as well as the success stories you can find on this website. When taken as a whole, they help you get a broader picture of Lap-Band surgery in general.
Here’s the bottom line. Bariatric surgeries are like any other medical procedures in that they have pros and cons associated with them. Some of them go smoothly, while others do not. The same can be said of Lasik eye treatments, knee surgeries, appendectomies … you get the idea.
Lap Band Surgery | Senior Editor | 
August 22, 2008 8:33 am
By Lynda Morgan, December 28, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
I had my LapBand done in May 2008 and have had success with it.
The weight loss is not as fast as with the RNY (which I researched before deciding), it was too invasive. I have been able to eat normally. The only thing I can no longer eat is pork chops, which I hardly ever ate anyway. I loved my doctor and his staff but unfortunately the hospital I had mine done in has discontinued the program and now I have to go to another place to get my fills. I am happy with my decision and would recommend it to anyone that asks my opinion!!!
By Cheryl Taylor, March 27, 2009 @ 4:52 pm
I had lap band surgery in sept. 07 and to date have only lost 45 lbs. my dr. states this is due to esophageal stacking. In other words, I can overeat and it stacks up in my esophageous. He says there’s not alot he can do about that. It’s been very frustrating and a huge let down, but what can I do. I’m considering my options one is whether to have it removed or not. anyone else heard of this?
Cheryl
By Melanie Hillian, September 25, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
Cheryl,
My doctor says I have what He calls a “generous pouch”. He said I was given too much room for food to fill up and because of that I can over eat. My band hasn’t helped me much at all. It’s a tight as I can have it while not having reflux and so I can eat all I want to eat. I have a feeling our problem is the same, just a different name.
By Tonya Smith, October 1, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
I just passed my one year anniversary with my lap band and I have gained 2 pounds so to say I am discouraged is a understatment. I try and talk to the dr but I get the feeling he would like to blame me for the failure. I really just do not know what to do. I still am trying different diets and ya know they do not work either. I feel a failure.
By Ellen Freilich, October 2, 2009 @ 10:32 am
You are quick to denigrate the source of the anti-banding You Tube videos but who pays for and organizes the “Bariatric Learning Center” website?
By Senior Editor, October 2, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
Hi Ellen.
Nobody sponsors this website. It is owned by me alone. I pay for the website out of my own pocket. I write the content as I see fit, and I’m beholden to no one. Any other questions?
-Brandon
By Roxanne, November 1, 2009 @ 9:13 am
I just had my lap band done three weeks ago and thus far it is good. I read and signed the paper work that stated that I may not lose weight, but the failure of the band depended on the individual. I am not saying that everyone that has had failure is not wanting to lose weight, after all that is why the choice was made to get it done, but all in all, it is just a helping tool to change the eating habits. My sister had it done one year ago and she has dropped 70 lbs. She was the reason I decided to get it done. I start my excercise program when I hit my month with the band and I am looking forward to my results. I wish everyone the best of luck with their success of the band and for those who don’t have the success, I hope you do find something that will help you with your goals.
By Natori, November 9, 2009 @ 3:19 pm
To Roxanne I’m having my surgery on December 8th and was just wondering now that your 3wks post op how much weight have you lost?
By Roxanne, November 16, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Hello Natori, I have not had my fill yet. I go in for that in a couple of days. I am excited. I have lost, thus far with no filling, 23lbs. I know that I am going to hit the plateau, but after I get all checked out by the doctor, I get to start exercising. I am looking forward to see the progress. I am happy with what I have lost thus far. By all means, it was not an easy adjustment, but WITHOUT the fill, I can tell when I hit my limit on my food intake. My brain and stomach are still not registering together!
By Barbara Garcia, December 7, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
I had the Lap Band on August 16, 2008, and so far have lost 78 lbs. Would I do it again? Yes, I was diabetic and suffered from high blood pressure which are all but a memory now but I must say that if I had it to do all over again I would insist that I have more contact with the dietician. My eating habits changed drastically. Foods I couldn’t stand before are now my favorites and vice versa. I have had four fills and with each fill lost more weight. Please make sure to take your vitamins though as you can lose your hair and other things from the lack of nutrients. Has anyone heard of “sliming”?
By Tammy Miller, January 15, 2010 @ 10:22 pm
I had the lap band in April 2007 and had to have it removed in March 2008 and had lost 60 pounds. I started have severe stomach pains in the left upper side and was rushed to emergency room. I had to have 2 blood transfussions and my stomach sewed back together. My stomach was in half and the infection had spread all over and had to have an abcess removed from my liver. Needless to say I spent 14 days in the hospital on several antibioctics and a heart monitor. I recovered completely, but was told it was a very close call. I don’t blame anyone, it was just one of those things. I have put 15 pounds back on over the last 2 years but I am working to take it off. I would have it put back in if I was not at high risk but I am barely overweight now. I now have to use strictly will power.
By pat, January 25, 2010 @ 10:21 am
I am considering having this done (gastric lap band). I’m very concerned about having a foreign object in me and also things I have heard about reflux/heartburn. Can anyone comment please…
By Christa, January 28, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
I had the lap band in July 2009. So far I have lost 29 pounds. I just had a fill last week and have lost 3 pounds. I am glad that I had the surgery but would like to see more weight loss.
By Mackenzie, February 1, 2010 @ 8:50 pm
i got the band in july of 2008. i had to do a liquid diet for 2 whole weeks before my surgery and i lost 20 pounds. after the surgery the only real problems that i had was this horrible shoulder pain. painful to the point where i couldnt use my arm when i was having the pain. i had to have surgery again in december 2009 because the shoulder pain got so bad that i went to the emergency room and got an xray and they found that the tube that connects the band to the port was wrapped around my diaphram and they needed to move thhe tube and anchor it down. so i got that surgery and ever since i havent been able to keep any food down. i went back to the dr a week after and they said it was prob just swollen from the surgery still. i am going back to the drs tomorrow to hopefully get some answers. i havent been able to keep liquids or solids down. my hair is falling out and its gross. i started out at 260 and got down to 189 at my lowest. im now 215 and i cant seem to loose the weight again.
By betty chevery, February 2, 2010 @ 5:04 am
i just had the lapband and i cant stop going to the bathroom my left side is hurting and real bubbley i feel sick to my stomach headachs any idea
By shannon, February 9, 2010 @ 7:53 am
I was banded in April of ‘09. The first couple of weeks I was losing weight at a steady clip, and then it stopped. And hasn’t started back up again. I’ve only lost 15 lbs in almost a year. Now, the very strange part, that my surgeon doesn’t understand, is that I’ve only lost a few lbs. and yet I’ve lost 3 pants sizes and a buttload of inches. So no weight loss, yet sizes down. I can only do very very light cardio exercise due to neurological issues, so it’s not like I’m gaining muscle. Now my band is insanely tight and I have to wait 2 weeks for an unfill. I have an appt. on the 19th to talk about a revision to the RNY or DS. To say that this was a waste may be a little harsh, but it wasn’t the right choice for me. I’m not angry. Live and learn.