Love it Or Hate it?

Good post, I agree with you.

Now, I did get to goal with the band but I was also extremely ill with the band and did have it removed.  So according to VioletRose or whatever her name was, does that make me a success or a failure? ;o)

The band works well for some, very well.  But the question I have for bandsters is this, if the band and sleeve are both merely restrictive in nature, no malabsorption... and if the band is better because it is adjustable... why are sleeves statistically better with weight loss at 5 years?

I was originally scheduled to get the lap band but after reading many of other people's experiences I immediately changed my mind.  It sounds like the quality of life sucks.  I am not trying to be mean, but it really does.  I have an issue with vomit, so all of that getting stuck business is overkill for  me and the idea of that actually happening at work, a restaurant, or any other place is unbearable. 

I guess it just depends on what you can live with.  I had RNY and thank God I have not had any complications, thus far.  I went from 207 lbs to 120 lbs in exactly a year.  I can eat what I want, in moderation of course.  If I eat too many sweets though I will dump and that SUCKS!!!  Just like I can't deal with band issues their are many who can't handle the idea of dumping.  Again, it is all up to what you can handle.  

For the most part, I can get past all the issues that come with the band.  This is because all of the WLS(s) has some type of drawback.  The difference with the band complications and all other WLS(s) to me, it that it seems with the band, most people don't even make it to goal.  **** I might could deal with puking, reflux, sliming, and getting stuck if I made it to goal.  I probably wouldn't even care because the band helped me get skinny.  But to go through all of that BS and not even make it to goal, for me, that is completely unacceptable!!  I look at many bandster's tickers and it will say something like 50 lbs lost and then their surgery date will say it was a year and a half ago.  WTH!!!!  50lbs in a year and a half.  Then you look at someone with the sleeve, RNY, or DS, and they lost that in 3 months.  

I know there are some that do well with the band, but to me, it seems that they are the exception.  I do believe that in time, the band will get better, just like any product.  I think the band companies will find a way to perfect their product as well as the process, especially if they want to continue to sell their product and make money.     

I don't have anymore hope for the band.  They have actually been trying to make it work for 40 years and so far... nada. :o(

Hate it! It has done nothing for me I lost 50ish lbs but 25 were preop so I lost just as well before the band as after. If the band is tight enough to keep me from wanting to eat then it's too tight and I slime and PB all the time. If it's  looser I can eat everything on the table. There is no happy medium. What I ate wasn't much of a problem I ate very healthy and not really huge portions. My problem is health issues that minimize how much exercise I can do and the band didn't help that all, I needed something malabsorptive or the VSG so I didn't have to squeeze food thru the band. Now it's very difficult to eat healthy food like protein and veggies that I love, they just get stuck. Band life is sooo not what I expected or planned on and I did study alot before banding. My surgeon woudn't do anything else because of clotting issues so I was stuck with the band and now my insurance has changed so I no longer have coverage for WLS. So here I am right where I started and no hope in sight.

You are like me, you never had a sweet spot.  This is NOT your fault..  Just wanted to make sure that was clear. ;o)

I am six months out and so far I just love my band.  It has done so much for my soul and happiness.  I believe in myself again, I can feel me taking my life back and while I know I am doing most of the work, I know I couldn't do it without my band.  So, I am happy.  Just remember, it is what YOU WILL DO with your band, not what your band will do for you.  Cheesy, but so so true.  :)

I researched WLS with the Lap Band for 3 years. I read, visited groups and wen to seminars.... NOT ONCE did anyone share about the stalled weight loss, improperly placed band and more importantly the amount of Lap Band to VSG or other WLS statistics. Discussion about the Lap Band were always depicted in a positive light. We were told that with the restriction of the band and activity the individual would loose weight. Well, I do just that and guess what  I've been losing and gaining the same 3lbs. for the past 6 months. This just isn't normal and I don't care how much you lovers of the band attempt to mask it... This is an expensive procedure, not to yield results!

-Mo

I feel like those of us that didn't do well failed you and the others like you by not being honest.  Often, when someone isn't successful, we leave the board, or at least quit posting.  I think that is why we all felt so compelled to post here today; not to be negative but to be honest about our experiences.  Those getting a lapband, or ANY WLS need to understand the ups and downs.  No matter the surgery, it isn't the easy way out as those who haven't had WLS believe.  They all have good points and bad points and people should know both before they make decisions.  Good luck to you and thank you for telling your story.

I've had my band 2 and a half years. Half the time I love my band.  The other half we co-exist.  I've lost 90 pounds and would like to lose another 50.  When I'm not trying to fight the band, I lose weight.  When I cheat and eat things I know i shouldn't I don't. 

I was terrified of having my insides rearranged.  So RNY/bypass were not for me.  The sleeve wasn't recommended by my surgeon's office and since my insurance was covering it, I wasn't going outside the network. 

There are goods and bads to each and every surgery.  I am not a model patient.  I break the rules and pray I don't do any damage.  But I also try to follow the rules.  I'm fairly middle of the road.  Most people feel very strongly one way or another.

In the end, two years later, I love my band.  :)

//hijack//

I have to laugh each time I see the name of your surgeon.  I can't help but to picture Richard Simmons in his girlie shorts and dancing to the oldies while doing surgery.

;o)