Maria,

 We’ve always have a high respect for one another, and each other’s opinions. So I hope you don’t mind me disagreeing with you. While what you are stating may be true with your experiences, mine are opposite.

 I won’t lie and say I don’t know bandsters who’ve had complications. I’ve known many. I’ve know many who had bands removed. I’ve known many who have failed. I’ve know many who had other operations. With that said, I’ve known many who have had no complications and are very successful. Heck, I’m close to 4 years, and still going strong.

 Now not to scare folks, but I’ve known bypass patients, sleeve patients, DS patients, BPD patients, BIB patients who also have had: failures; complications; operations changed to another procedure, etc.

 There are various reasons why people are and aren’t successful. In some cases it’s the device. In other cases it’s the person’s lack of research – not into the procedure, but into the TYPE OF PERSON (aka eater) THEY ARE to truly know which operation is truly best for them. Other times people fail because they didn’t follow the rules, but instead of blaming themselves they rather blame the operation. Then there are those times when the device (jn this case the band) truly is bad. Also let’s not forget the surgeon’s abilities (or lack of them), especially with follow-up care.

 I have not seen any large research data stating Doctors are removing more band then putting them in. I’ve also haven’t seen large research data stating Doctors are stopping doing bands. Can you get data to bloster your claims? Sure you could. I bet it’s out there. But also you know if you look hard enough you’ll find “research" that denotes failures on all these procedures.

 Bands, along with other bariatric procedures, are done world wide. If the band was truly the worst effective bariatric procedure, then most countries would stop doing it altogether. Heck, the United States has one of the most stringiest medical guidelines, and there is no known “movement" to have the band banned. In fact, a year or so ago the FDA approved the Lapband in a study for folks with a BMI of less than 35. If the band was such a poor choice, why would they bother?

 The band has been around since the 1980’s, when it was primarily known as the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band, and since then have been very success and widely used with very good European results. One of the reasons I decided to go band over bypass.

 Again I am not saying every band patient will be successful, but I can also safely say that every band patient won’t have complications or failures. My Doctor’s practice, and many support groups I attend, have band patients who have been successful for 5+ years. And don't forget, the band has only been approved in the United States since 2001, while bypass has been going on since the 1970's. So long term results for the band isn't as extensive as the bypass IN THE UNITED STATES.

 I’ve been in the media for over 20 years, and each time I see a “medical report" I always need to ask myself (A) *****quested the report (B) who funded the research (C) who was included in the research (D) what was excluded (E) what was the hypothesis that created the need for the research. Sad fact is that most research results are skewed in favor of the funder. Homer Simpson said it best when he said “Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. 14% of people know that."

 What I love about this board, and this country, is we can agree to disagree – yet still have respect and admiration for one another. With that said, please know I am not stating “you’re wrong and I’m right", all I am doing is stating a different viewpoint using MY experiences.