Gastric Lap-Band Failure
Don't Let it Happen to YOU

Unfortunately, Gastric lap-band failure IS possible...but it doesn't HAVE to happen!

Your results depend largely upon YOU and your commitment to establishing lifelong healthy eating and exercise habits. The gastric band can help you, but it won't do all the work for you.

Gastric Lap-Band Failure

According to the medical literature, gastric banding surgery is considered a failure if:

• The percentage of excess weight loss is less than 25%
• Major reoperation is required

There IS some good news here. YOU have a lot to do with your results!

If you can embrace the notion that your gastric banding surgery is merely a "tool," and not a magic bullet, you'll have a much greater chance of success. That's because thinking in this way leads to taking personal responsibility.

Gastric Lap-Band Surgery Failure Over Time

According to a study published in the Obesity Surgery Journal (July 2006) "failure rate" (as defined above) increases over time:

• Failure rate after 18 months: 13.2%
• Failure rate after 3 years: 23.8%
• Failure rate after 5 years: 31.5%
• Failure rate after 7 years: 36.9%

This can be attributed to many factors and it's usually not related to the gastric band itself. Weight gain is usually related to what I call "operator error"...YOU being the operator!

A few years after weight loss surgery it's easy to get complacent, to fall back into old habits, and/or to think that you shouldn't have to work so hard anymore at weight loss.

NOT so!

How to Avoid Gastric Lap-Band Failure

• Commit to following the 10 Commandments of Bariatric Eating...Forever.
• Keep a Food Journal regularly...at least 1 week per month.
• Attend support groups regularly...even if you think you don't need to.
• Catch weight gain early: Weigh yourself once a week. (You'll gain 1 pound or 5 pounds before you gain 20, 50 or 100 pounds.)

See what to do if you stop losing weight.

If you use the band as the tool it's intended to be, gastric banding weight loss surgery is an opportunity for a new beginning, and there's no reason why you can't be as successful as you want to be!

See the Results Gallery.

Leave Gastric Lap-Band Failure and Return to Lap-Band Surgery Site's Home