Where are the bandmeisters?

Is it just my imagination/ miss or are there nearly 0 new band people posting here? Has something happened to the band with recent discoveries about intestinal bypass decreasing a persons ability to store bodyfat and thwarting diabetes?

Huh?  Not quite sure what you mean with your last question about something happening to the band, I for one would be very interested to know.  As for the first question, where are the members of the band? 

Not dissing the band or anything, more than anything your success with any of the surgeries depends on how you use it.

As for the second question, they have made discoveries recently that the hormonal reponses as food passes through the first half of the small intestine have a lot to do with the storage of fat. One new surgery, for example cuts out both the first and second halves and then switches them one with the other, so the first is then the last and vice versa. This alone seems to prevent people from being fat . Of course, bypassing 120-150 or more centimeters would increase this effect greatly and cause a lot of calories to go undigested, as well. 

Here's one article about that:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902122834.ht m 

it seems there are a lot less new people on this forum since OH changed it's format last year.....and now that 1/2 the old timers left there are less and less and less.....

OH really has a way of ******g people off...huh?

I think the lap band is not as popular and RNY or DS as far as men are concerned.  In general surgeries are down because more n more insurance companies are saying no. Mine is excluded completely

What I am about to share is not putting down the Band.  It has worked sucessfully for many people (those who work their tool).  Not Dave as you know, the four biggest drawbacks with the Lap Band is 1. having to do refills.  2.  getting past insurance  3.  not losing as much weight over time as a RNY or DS might.  4.  finding ways to cheat (because of hunger pains), and regain the weight.  Each surgery has its drawbacks.  I think when potential WLS candidates look at the Band they are starting to reject it more...just because of the total weightloss number.  It still might be the safest surgery going (very little cutting), but the word of mouth may hurt it.  The one thing it has going for itself is that the company that makes the band is starting to advertise here in the US.  Those not doing their research might just choose the Band without really researching the other options out there.  Just my thought.  Brian 

I agree that the only surgery that works is the one that you work hard at. I am a bandster (I hate that word) and I am working my ass off to make mine work for me! I don't  doubt that RNY/DS would have worked faster for me but my goal is long term. I have lost almost 100 pounds since my pre-op diet started and couldn't be happier! I don't have any hard data but I do know that any surgery will fail if you don't change your behaviors towards food and exercise. I am well on my way to a better life and no matter what tool you have chosen I wish you well!

Hey BigMurph,

Great post! I agree 100% with your statement "any surgery will fail if you don't change your behaviors towards food and exercise." It doesn't matter which tool you select in the long haul since to keep off the weight, it's all about changing our lifestyle. In the short term, the weight will come off pretty much automatically but if we don't adopt new eating and exercise habits during this "honeymoon", the fat man will be back.

Congratulations on your success to date and to quote you again, "no matter what tool you have chosen I wish you well!"

Thanks for the great post.

Boner

I am a bandster (in October).  I think this site is somewhat confsung at times, so that may be it.  Other sites that I go to still have a lot of new members.