I don't think you'll be missed. It would seem no one knows who you are other than a spiteful, mean-spirited person. Most of your kind dropped off the board awhile ago, thankfully. All that's left now are kind, reasonable people who actually try to give support. It's probably not your kind of place. 

Just so you have a little more of an idea of what some of us go through, I'll share this. 

I turned 47 on the 26th of this month. Two weeks previous, I spent some time in the hospital because I had blood pouring out of me when I went to the bathroom. I have bleeding ulcers (which occurred during my time banded,) and I have gastritis (also developed while banded,) I was having yet another severe bout of acute diverticulitis (which also developed while I had my band since I was constipated severely due to a twisted stomach.)  I had test after test and my gastroenterologist said, "Nic, that band did damage. We need to get you healthier." Add some high blood pressure and diabetes to the health issue list. I took phentermine after band removal in an attempt to stave off inevitable regain. It caused my blood pressure to sky rocket... and stay there. I obviously had to stop taking it... or risk suffering a stroke or heart attack, so I regained. Now I'm diabetic, as well, of course. I had the band done to hopefully avoid these issues and instead of being helpful in that regard, it did massive damage to my digestive system. 

I could tell from all the doctors discussing my issues that things were pretty bad. Sometimes I'm so tired of the sickness stuff that I kind of want to just give up. It's hard to enjoy life when you can barely stand to walk because of pain in your stomach and chest. 

My son lives in South Carolina and goes to college there. His birthday was a few days before mine and I have never missed his birthday, ever. So I decided that in spite of my not being in the best of health, I was going to drive down to see him. And I did. It was important to me and I did it. But it was painful, no doubt. I didn't fly because I'm on medication that causes me to have to go to the bathroom to a ridiculous degree. I stopped at every rest area on the way down to SC from WI. One day while I was there, my son said to me, "Mom, I hate seeing you in pain. I hope you can get better." When I had the band, he was just a little kid. He's part of the reason I had the band removed. He begged me. He's seen me in pain for a long damned time now. That is my biggest regret. 

This is why, when I see someone say such cavalier things as, "they're a dime a dozen," I get rather insulted. We all have our own experiences. Not every person who is banded is going to have the experience I had, thankfully. I wouldn't wi**** on anyone. But there are plenty who DO have serious issues and those issues are very real and very painful. When a person comes onto the forum and says that they're so busy "living life," maybe that person should thank their lucky stars that it's the case... and they're not languishing in pain from damage the band caused them. Perhaps you would consider rereading your posts and trying to see them from a different perspective.

You should try being a bit more like Kate who never once slammed anyone who had band complications. She and I were close friends even tho my band nearly killed me and left me with a stomach too damaged to do any other surgery on. The band now has a 60% failure rate so that tells me there are far more with problems than successes. I too would have said congrats on your success but you have a very negative attitude. You don't get to tell me what I can post and how I have to word it. My band failed me big time and I did nothing wrong! Most of us did nothing wrong.Yes I stay around to warn people of the other possibilities and that it is not a life time surgery like we were told.

Some people see support as a two way street. Some people like to try to help others, if they can. They don't just take support when THEY need it.They also like to lend support to others who may be struggling. 

You could have come back and said, "Hey, I like my band, I'm having success." and left it at that. I'd have congratulated you and wished you continued success. But the fact that you're so dismissive and insulting about those of us who have had damaging, life altering complications makes me believe that you're not a very nice person and you posted solely to be dramatic. 

I'm not sure why you seem to think that you're somehow beyond the reach of potential complications. I'm thinking it won't be a surprise if you show up sooner than another 3-4 years, demanding information. Maybe then you'll understand why people still post here after band removal. A little compassion for others is not a bad thing. 

Heaven forbid, I be a forum nanny.  I probably won't return for another 3-4 years.  When you are happy and doing well, you don't really need any help.  I'm sure that if anything untoward ever turns up with my band, I will look into returning, but I think after 11 years, I can say I'm content.  I wanted to let others know that the happy bandsters are out there.  They just seem to drift away from the forum.  I think you must be talking about Kate, the woman from Britain.  I was so sorry to read about her.  She was a wonderful person, who had great success with the band, and I'm so sorry to hear about her death.  We used to talk quite a bit.  The forum is going to deeply miss her, I'm sure.  I have no desire to sway anyone to any surgery.  I think at the time I had the band, that had the sleeve been available, I may have opted for it, but it wasn't even on the radar yet.  I wish everyone continued success with whatever surgery they have had.  I just hope newbies aren't scared away by the people with bad experiences, because it doesn't happen to everyone.  Anyway, I'll say goodbye, and wish you all the best of luck with your endeavors.  Be good to each other.