I feel so weird

[petham]

I don't know how to start this, I am a bander and I don't have any issues with my lap band. I didn't have a ton of excess weight and I'm thinking that has to do with it. I am not vain, I'm still overweight and I did it to get rid of my high blood pressure. It went to normal while I was still in the hospital and I hadn't lost any weight at all. The nurse said it happens all the time and someone ought to study why that is. I agree, maybe co-morbs can be tackled from all directions.
I agree that the band is not for self pay patients, and the surgeon should be first class, no matter what WLS is chosen.
Botox doctors shouldn't do operations, and people that want Botox shouldn't have WLS. There are no shortcuts,Period.

Anyhow, I have nothing to say about the lapband, pro or con.
I was inspired to get WLS by an acquaintance. She now started drinking and is on Prozac and regained all the weight she lost.
Everybody is different, and I'm happy about that. Live would be boring if everybody were perfect, like me

[Michelle J]

No need to feel weird. I'm happy the band has worked for you as it should, even happier that you lost your HTN. I'd like to invite more band people here so we have a variety of experiences, but once I started developing problems with my band I no longer felt comfortable posting on the other site.

[hislady]

Hi there Michelle and Petham I'm here too and I don't hate folks who were successful either more power to them. I just think there needs to be more information available about the real hazards of the band that we aren't told about. But if anyone has had success and no problems well they should be praised not dissed. I hope more bandsters show up here too!

[petham]

It seems so counterproductive to do the "mine's better than your's". As long as you're happy.. mazeltov.
I compare it to smokers, I am a rabid anti-smoker as only an ex-smoker can be. I can try to tell smokers to quit but I don't feel superior because I quit and they didn't.
I guess if I had gotten pneumonia or lungcancer I would be worse. So ...Happy New Year anywho..

[kath]

I am a happy and successful bandster.
I like my band .... And if I do my part, it does it's part.

I sometimes worry if it is a ticking time bomb in there, so I keep going to Weight Watchers, I keep abstaining from my trigger foods, I keep exercising and being as healthy as I can.

I don't push my band on anyone ... And even suggest that people strongly consider all of their options because I see how few people are long term successes with the band.

I started to lose before I had my surgery, and then I was able to lose consistently for 18 months. Slow but stead, for 131 pound loss.

I am grateful, but not naive.
I have to say that I don't post here much because the opinions about the band are so negative.....and it hurts to be called stupid for a choice that has been made (and is working for me).

I feel a responsibility to share that my choice has been a good one for me ..but don't really want to encourage others to follow my path, because of the bleak statistics.

[shellyac]

Well as a bandster to be I feel that this board has not been welcoming at all. I find it funny that the header to this board is a place "where you will find support, facts, and of course fun" but for the most part it seems that the only support you will find is if you have or want the DS. I am not saying that I don't want to hear how the band failed people or how people failed the band, in fact I find those posts the most interesting. However when some of the first post I see are people saying to pre-op band patients that they want to talk them out of their choice, or people using what could have been a very useful and informative series of posts to bash people who have chosen other procedures that DS (I don't know about the DS enough to know if it could even be done laparoscopically, if it can be then everyone except open DS'ers were insulted at some point)

I even got bashed when I mentioned that I was planning on getting the band with plication or when I mentioned that some of the data that was being used to show that the band was a bad procedure was based on a questionable study (for example, the patients studied were banded before the current bands were available and the sample size wasn't disclosed)

I agree that the mine is better than your mentality is counterproductive, i feel that we are all suffering from the same disease and we are choosing different ways of treating the disease. Just because someone chooses a different way of fighting doesn't meant that their choice is wrong, it was what was the best for them at the time. It is possible that the disease doesn't respond to the first course of treatment and something more aggressive is needed. But it is also possible that a more conservative treatment is all the patient needs.

[joanlaptods]

I had the band in 2006 initially successful but then developed a dilated esophagus ( and not from eating more than a cupful at a time but from the abnormally increased pressure put on the Lower esophageal sphincter by the presence of the band. with time this can lead to sphinter failure and dilated esophagus). The symptoms were severe reflux happening as soon as I went to sleep even if I was sleeping upright.
The band was replaced in 2008 supposedly for a small slip but it was really the dilated esophagus. Multiple defills did not help either except to begin my regain. I wish you will reconsider. The band is not a more conservative or safer option for most who have it.
My DS was done laparoscopically.

[petham]

Jan 1, 2012 14:07:37 GMT -5 shellyac said:

Well as a bandster to be I feel that this board has not been welcoming at all. I find it funny that the header to this board is a place "where you will find support, facts, and of course fun" but for the most part it seems that the only support you will find is if you have or want the DS. I am not saying that I don't want to hear how the band failed people or how people failed the band, in fact I find those posts the most interesting. However when some of the first post I see are people saying to pre-op band patients that they want to talk them out of their choice, or people using what could have been a very useful and informative series of posts to bash people who have chosen other procedures that DS (I don't know about the DS enough to know if it could even be done laparoscopically, if it can be then everyone except open DS'ers were insulted at some point)

I even got bashed when I mentioned that I was planning on getting the band with plication or when I mentioned that some of the data that was being used to show that the band was a bad procedure was based on a questionable study (for example, the patients studied were banded before the current bands were available and the sample size wasn't disclosed)

I agree that the mine is better than your mentality is counterproductive, i feel that we are all suffering from the same disease and we are choosing different ways of treating the disease. Just because someone chooses a different way of fighting doesn't meant that their choice is wrong, it was what was the best for them at the time. It is possible that the disease doesn't respond to the first course of treatment and something more aggressive is needed. But it is also possible that a more conservative treatment is all the patient needs.

Shelley, therein lies the rub..IMO so many more lapbands have been done than DS, or VSG. I'm not so sure about the RNY, that statistically it makes sense that more people have issues. Many posters have made the point that the band is the "easiest" operation for doctors to perform, so many doctors that shouldn't do it, do it. It's a money maker, with all the aftercare necessary , all extra $ for the bandmills. I didn't have a lot of weight to loose, my ideal weight is 126 lbs, that is insane in my book. If I get to 175 I'm going to be ecstatic. If I wanted to get to 126, I'm sure I wouldn't t reach it with the band. I'm too lazy to exercise enough to get there. I chose the band because I now eat less, I still eat the same stuff I ate before, yeas I eat butter and cookies and french fries (That's why I am hoovering around 200) But I don't think depriving myself or putting the band so tight that I can't swallow spit is my way of doing this.
NOW on the other hand, I can't blame anyone that has had issues with the lapband from trying to discourage anybody from getting it, it only makes sense. Wouldn't you?? So please don't take it personally, I don't. Think long and hard if you can ignore all the people that have had issues before you get the band.
Think about what you are trying to achieve. If you have a lot of weight to loose, if you are selfpay,or if you have eating "issues" like a sweet tooth or emotional eating I would not recommend the lapband. I hope that all the people that have had issues will tone done their "flaming" and revert to constructive help. The other WLS surgeries have issues for some people as well and are not right for everybody, nothing is..
But then again, what do I know
Petra

[KathyF]

Jan 1, 2012 14:07:37 GMT -5 shellyac said:

Well as a bandster to be I feel that this board has not been welcoming at all. I find it funny that the header to this board is a place "where you will find support, facts, and of course fun" but for the most part it seems that the only support you will find is if you have or want the DS. I am not saying that I don't want to hear how the band failed people or how people failed the band, in fact I find those posts the most interesting. However when some of the first post I see are people saying to pre-op band patients that they want to talk them out of their choice, or people using what could have been a very useful and informative series of posts to bash people who have chosen other procedures that DS (I don't know about the DS enough to know if it could even be done laparoscopically, if it can be then everyone except open DS'ers were insulted at some point)

I even got bashed when I mentioned that I was planning on getting the band with plication or when I mentioned that some of the data that was being used to show that the band was a bad procedure was based on a questionable study (for example, the patients studied were banded before the current bands were available and the sample size wasn't disclosed)

I agree that the mine is better than your mentality is counterproductive, i feel that we are all suffering from the same disease and we are choosing different ways of treating the disease. Just because someone chooses a different way of fighting doesn't meant that their choice is wrong, it was what was the best for them at the time. It is possible that the disease doesn't respond to the first course of treatment and something more aggressive is needed. But it is also possible that a more conservative treatment is all the patient needs.

I hope that my response to you did not come across as bashing. If it did, it most certainly was not intended to be as such.

I think it might be helpful to try to realize where those you perceive as bashing are coming from. They are really coming from a place of concern. Concern for your well being. So try to see the message and not necessarily the method of delivery as some can be rather brusque but well meaning.

I also think that the section for your surgery is what you make of it! It is the posters that create the atmosphere here. I personally think it would be great if each surgery section was a place where both the positive and negative aspects of each surgery can be discussed and supported.

I sincerely hope that you have great success with your surgery choice!

[shellyac]

I completely understand where people who didn't have the band work are coming from but at the same time I think they need to realize that the problems that they had may or may not be relevant to people who are getting the band today. For example I read about someone revising because their band was put in backwards and problems ensued, now is that the problem of the band or because of the doctor?

As one of the posters above mentioned I think that people who choose the band are more likely to be a victim of doctors who feel that this is such and "easy" surgery and can preform them in essentially a band-mill. I think a perfect example of this are the people who died in California after having lap band surgery at clinics they were referred to from a billboard advertising.

I think the thing that is most frustrating is seeing how people who are still deciding are treated. When I give advice I try to be as neutral as possible in terms of my thoughts of other procedures and I don't only push my procedure. I have even recommend that some people get the sleeve over the band because of the their situations (for example I would never suggest to someone who is going to Mexico to have the band). Also I try to find and cite studies when posting statistics about procedures or even when I about to post my opinion about a topic I'm not thoroughly familiar with, I have a background in survey methodology and I'm a stickler for sound research. I'm all for educating people about the procedure they are having, I think there are alot of people who are miserable with the band would have not have chosen the band if they really understood what life with the band would be like and I don't mean the complications I mean knowing that you will have to go get fills on a regular basis, that you may get too tight, and knowing that being too tight is not a good thing, or knowing how easy it is to eat around the band.

I'm not going into this surgery with unrealistic expectations, of course I hope that I am one of the lucky few that will lose quickly, and I am dreading the possibility that I may one of those that lose slowly. I understand that I am going more into the unknown because I am having plication with the band and it both excites and worry about it. I acknowledge that there is a possibility that I am making the wrong choice but I at least feel that I am making the right choice for me and with that I feel that I will have no regrets if things go wrong. And if I am one of the unlucky ones that has something go wrong, I know that I have resources like this site and others that can inform be about my choices from there

[petham]

Jan 1, 2012 19:25:37 GMT -5 shellyac said:

I completely understand where people who didn't have the band work are coming from but at the same time I think they need to realize that the problems that they had may or may not be relevant to people who are getting the band today. For example I read about someone revising because their band was put in backwards and problems ensued, now is that the problem of the band or because of the doctor?

As one of the posters above mentioned I think that people who choose the band are more likely to be a victim of doctors who feel that this is such and "easy" surgery and can preform them in essentially a band-mill. I think a perfect example of this are the people who died in California after having lap band surgery at clinics they were referred to from a billboard advertising.

I think the thing that is most frustrating is seeing how people who are still deciding are treated. When I give advice I try to be as neutral as possible in terms of my thoughts of other procedures and I don't only push my procedure. I have even recommend that some people get the sleeve over the band because of the their situations (for example I would never suggest to someone who is going to Mexico to have the band). Also I try to find and cite studies when posting statistics about procedures or even when I about to post my opinion about a topic I'm not thoroughly familiar with, I have a background in survey methodology and I'm a stickler for sound research. I'm all for educating people about the procedure they are having, I think there are alot of people who are miserable with the band would have not have chosen the band if they really understood what life with the band would be like and I don't mean the complications I mean knowing that you will have to go get fills on a regular basis, that you may get too tight, and knowing that being too tight is not a good thing, or knowing how easy it is to eat around the band.

I'm not going into this surgery with unrealistic expectations, of course I hope that I am one of the lucky few that will lose quickly, and I am dreading the possibility that I may one of those that lose slowly. I understand that I am going more into the unknown because I am having plication with the band and it both excites and worry about it. I acknowledge that there is a possibility that I am making the wrong choice but I at least feel that I am making the right choice for me and with that I feel that I will have no regrets if things go wrong. And if I am one of the unlucky ones that has something go wrong, I know that I have resources like this site and others that can inform be about my choices from there

See this is where you and I are waay different, quoting research to people is not my thing. Every study has a counter-study. I don't think I would make a WLS decision based on someone giving my advise on which surgery to choose. I can tell you what "I" am going thru and the one's you say flame you for making your choice are doing just that. I never thought I would defend the "flamers". But they are very important .
I don't know if loosing quickly is something I would focus on, but again like I said before, everybody is different. I f I wanted to loose weight quickly, I wouldn't have chosen the band.

[shellyac]

i don't just quote research to people, I use research to inform my response because I know that I don't know everything. For example I saw someone on another board talking asking about getting a procedure done with a BMI around 30, my initial reaction was to say that someone with a BMI that low shouldn't be having surgery and I was about to assume the only reason she was going to Mexico was because no doctor here would operate on her. However before I responded I did a quick search on WLS for lower BMI patients and found that there is some research on the effectiveness of WLS for people with a BMI of 30 so I left it alone. Also you are right that every study has a counter study but the thing that we all should do is be able to read these studies or summaries of them and recognize the difference between good research reporting and bad (sorry but this is a pet peeve of mine and it's not just limited to WLS, this can apply to all subject matters and is especially true in political research). Another important thing about trying to find research to prove your point is that it helps to also show if the other side is making claims that aren't proven. For example when it comes to plication, several people have stated (and this on a VSG board on another site) that plication is bad, that the folds will cause your stomach to stick together and never unfold or that your stomach will die from being folded, etc. However if you do a search about the procedure you will find that it is based on a procedure that has been around for over 40 years, that those complications are either not found in any study or that if those complications occur they are the result of doctor error.

Again, I don't have a problem with people talking about their negative experiences, in fact I think they are probably more important to hear than the success stories for how else are you going to know that things can go bad even if you do everything right. I believe that by reading those stories it helped me to become more prepared to have the band, after all I am not going into surgery thinking that everything will be all kittens and rainbows and I kinda feel sorry for people that do because they are the ones that will have the rudest awakening when things don't go the way they expected.

What I meant when I mentioned hoping to loose quickly is that I have seen some people post on other sites that they have lost their weight quickly with the band, I know that not the norm and I am no where expecting it to me. In fact the goals I have set for myself are to first be successful according to WLS standards (at least 50% EWL) second to hit a normal BMI, third to hit the bottom of my normal range (where I probably won't stay because I don't think I would like how I look there), and finally to reach a weight where i feel comfortable (hopefully somewhere between goal 2 and 3)

[mizdel]

Jan 1, 2012 19:25:37 GMT -5 shellyac said:

I completely understand where people who didn't have the band work are coming from but at the same time I think they need to realize that the problems that they had may or may not be relevant to people who are getting the band today. For example I read about someone revising because their band was put in backwards and problems ensued, now is that the problem of the band or because of the doctor?

As one of the posters above mentioned I think that people who choose the band are more likely to be a victim of doctors who feel that this is such and "easy" surgery and can preform them in essentially a band-mill. I think a perfect example of this are the people who died in California after having lap band surgery at clinics they were referred to from a billboard advertising.

I think the thing that is most frustrating is seeing how people who are still deciding are treated. When I give advice I try to be as neutral as possible in terms of my thoughts of other procedures and I don't only push my procedure. I have even recommend that some people get the sleeve over the band because of the their situations (for example I would never suggest to someone who is going to Mexico to have the band). Also I try to find and cite studies when posting statistics about procedures or even when I about to post my opinion about a topic I'm not thoroughly familiar with, I have a background in survey methodology and I'm a stickler for sound research. I'm all for educating people about the procedure they are having, I think there are alot of people who are miserable with the band would have not have chosen the band if they really understood what life with the band would be like and I don't mean the complications I mean knowing that you will have to go get fills on a regular basis, that you may get too tight, and knowing that being too tight is not a good thing, or knowing how easy it is to eat around the band.

I'm not going into this surgery with unrealistic expectations, of course I hope that I am one of the lucky few that will lose quickly, and I am dreading the possibility that I may one of those that lose slowly. I understand that I am going more into the unknown because I am having plication with the band and it both excites and worry about it. I acknowledge that there is a possibility that I am making the wrong choice but I at least feel that I am making the right choice for me and with that I feel that I will have no regrets if things go wrong. And if I am one of the unlucky ones that has something go wrong, I know that I have resources like this site and others that can inform be about my choices from there

Shelly,

I think you should discard everything you have read in research papers about the band. They are only statistics that probably will not apply to you in any meaningful way.

No one can possibly predict how the band will effect them until they get one and then it is a little too late.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend the band to anyone for any reason. Those who are successful are the exception. There is no rhyme or reason as to why they are successful and it is probably not because they are following the rules, but rather something to do with their own particular anatomy.

If I were researching today, there is no way I would choose a band. I would not base my decision on the statistics, but on the personal experience of so many ex bandsters. That is the real nitty gritty. Those experiences can not be translated into cold hard "facts." However, they are the real cold hard facts.

[Kim S]

I'd seen some stuff on "the other board" about this site but wasn't sure happy, successful bandsters were going to find much of a home here. I decided to register so I could read more about Yehuda's passing (what a shocking tragedy).

I've got my fingers crossed that this board really will welcome people who are happy with their band and not just tell us we're either having dumb luck or a ticking time bomb.

IMHO knowledge is always a good thing but there is more to successful weight loss than statistics and studies.

I'm a lurker at the best of times so we'll see how it goes :-)

Kim

[Buckeye Girl]

Dec 31, 2011 14:21:36 GMT -5 petham said:

I don't know how to start this, I am a bander and I don't have any issues with my lap band. I didn't have a ton of excess weight and I'm thinking that has to do with it. I am not vain, I'm still overweight and I did it to get rid of my high blood pressure. It went to normal while I was still in the hospital and I hadn't lost any weight at all. The nurse said it happens all the time and someone ought to study why that is. I agree, maybe co-morbs can be tackled from all directions.
I agree that the band is not for self pay patients, and the surgeon should be first class, no matter what WLS is chosen.
Botox doctors shouldn't do operations, and people that want Botox shouldn't have WLS. There are no shortcuts,Period.

Anyhow, I have nothing to say about the lapband, pro or con.
I was inspired to get WLS by an acquaintance. She now started drinking and is on Prozac and regained all the weight she lost.
Everybody is different, and I'm happy about that. Live would be boring if everybody were perfect, like me

Excuse me while I ramble in this response...

As you know, I'm pretty active on the lap band board "over there" but my goal is just to help people who are having trouble with their band to know that they are not alone and it likely is not their "fault" or to try and push newbies to really look at all of their options.

I want every one to succeed with their WLS. I was really shocked when one successful, helpful, well-known bandster once referred to me as "bitter."

I am really in no way bitter about anything related to my WLS experiences. I do regret internalizing the lap band failure. When my band wasn't working, I really didn't understand that it happens to a lot of people and I really beat myself up about it saying, "gosh, here is one more diet failure in my record."

Even though now I can look back and see how the band was giving me a poor quality of life, at the time, I was very sad when my band had to come out. Again, I thought it was something I had done wrong.

Then I found OH and saw how many people were having problems. Then I saw how successful I was with the sleeve. For once I was actually able to eat the healthy proteins and my diet and exercise was really paying off.

Now I am so crazy thankful that I was able to have a revision, that it went smoothly, and that I have reached my weight loss goal. I am anything but bitter. I feel extremely lucky.

I do not lose any sleep at night over what surgery any one else chooses for him/herself. And I will be around to support that person the best I can regardless of surgery type. I don't ever wish anyone to fail in their journey.

My main goals in posting in the lap band forum are as follows:

1. To provide support to fellow WLSers;

2. To socialize with fellow WLSers;

3. To encourage self-pay bandsters to maintain an emergency fund for their bands (so we don't have to read those heartbreaking posts where someone cannot afford an adjustment or repair/removal);

4. To help those whose bands do fail realize that they are not alone, it happens to the best of them, and that they may still be able to reach their goals with other forms of WLS.


Lindsey

[redbabe08]

Jan 4, 2012 10:01:59 GMT -5 Kim S said:

I'd seen some stuff on "the other board" about this site but wasn't sure happy, successful bandsters were going to find much of a home here. I decided to register so I could read more about Yehuda's passing (what a shocking tragedy).

I've got my fingers crossed that this board really will welcome people who are happy with their band and not just tell us we're either having dumb luck or a ticking time bomb.

IMHO knowledge is always a good thing but there is more to successful weight loss than statistics and studies.

I'm a lurker at the best of times so we'll see how it goes :-)

Kim

kim,
if you stay lurking - how do you expect to build a positive / happy community here or @ OH with regards to the lap band?

i think it's the successful vets that are doing more of a disservice, than those of us who have had to revise - hanging out on their private grad boards.....not sharing. the number that do, i can count on one hand.

[Kim S]

Red,

I hear you. The private grads boards was more of a place to have long-term maintenance discussions without constantly saying "this doesn't apply to the first 6 months" or defending against people who'd never had the lapband but were happy to tell us what we were doing wrong.

The constant rehash of the same topics definitely wears the vets down and I have enormous respect for the people who keep at it.

I tend to lurk because by the time I get back to a topic everyone else has already said what I would have :-)

But, you're right. I'm happy to stay involved, answer lapband questions as best I can and generally contribute to the boards.

[petham]

Jan 6, 2012 8:26:28 GMT -5 redbabe08 said:

Jan 4, 2012 10:01:59 GMT -5 Kim S said:

I'd seen some stuff on "the other board" about this site but wasn't sure happy, successful bandsters were going to find much of a home here. I decided to register so I could read more about Yehuda's passing (what a shocking tragedy).

I've got my fingers crossed that this board really will welcome people who are happy with their band and not just tell us we're either having dumb luck or a ticking time bomb.



IMHO knowledge is always a good thing but there is more to successful weight loss than statistics and studies.

I'm a lurker at the best of times so we'll see how it goes :-)

Kim

kim,
if you stay lurking - how do you expect to build a positive / happy community here or @ OH with regards to the lap band?

i think it's the successful vets that are doing more of a disservice, than those of us who have had to revise - hanging out on their private grad boards.....not sharing. the number that do, i can count on one hand.

It is hard for me to contribute to the Lapband forum because I don't have any issues. I don't have reflux, I don't slime and I am not in pain. I feel like a "normal" person in every aspect. I don't feel like I need to discuss my bowel movements, I eat regular food. I don't collect "research" to make people consider what they do. I ride a Harley, I love my husband, I live the retired live (because I can). I don't exercise enough (and I know it).

I feel more at home in the "general issues" boards, because I really don't feel like a "bandster". I'm more of a "snarker"

[formerlyfluffy]

Jan 1, 2012 13:21:51 GMT -5 kath said:

I am a happy and successful bandster.
I like my band .... And if I do my part, it does it's part.

I sometimes worry if it is a ticking time bomb in there, so I keep going to Weight Watchers, I keep abstaining from my trigger foods, I keep exercising and being as healthy as I can.

I don't push my band on anyone ... And even suggest that people strongly consider all of their options because I see how few people are long term successes with the band.

I started to lose before I had my surgery, and then I was able to lose consistently for 18 months. Slow but stead, for 131 pound loss.

I am grateful, but not naive.
I have to say that I don't post here much because the opinions about the band are so negative.....and it hurts to be called stupid for a choice that has been made (and is working for me).

I feel a responsibility to share that my choice has been a good one for me ..but don't really want to encourage others to follow my path, because of the bleak statistics.

Hey Kath!

~I have to say that I don't post here much because the opinions about the band are so negative.~

Kath say what you want about the band. It needs to be a balanced representation here. That is something I have said about the other forum. Not everyone is successful with the band. Not everyone has had a failed band. Let's try to make this band forum the way the way the other one should be. A place where ALL bandsters are able to share their experience about the band. ;-)

~I feel a responsibility to share that my choice has been a good one for me ..but don't really want to encourage others to follow my path, because of the bleak statistics.~

I have to say............that is very appriciated! It does upset me some of the other bandsters that continue to push the band after years of seeing many slips, port problems, leaks, erosion, dysmotility, etc. While I realize they have had a good experience with thier bands.......it's kind of obvious when someone new is posting on that forum everyday with a new band complication that those stats are very bleak. Kudos to you for seeing the other side of things!

[formerlyfluffy]

Jan 1, 2012 14:07:37 GMT -5 shellyac said:

Well as a bandster to be I feel that this board has not been welcoming at all. I find it funny that the header to this board is a place "where you will find support, facts, and of course fun" but for the most part it seems that the only support you will find is if you have or want the DS. I am not saying that I don't want to hear how the band failed people or how people failed the band, in fact I find those posts the most interesting. However when some of the first post I see are people saying to pre-op band patients that they want to talk them out of their choice, or people using what could have been a very useful and informative series of posts to bash people who have chosen other procedures that DS (I don't know about the DS enough to know if it could even be done laparoscopically, if it can be then everyone except open DS'ers were insulted at some point)

I even got bashed when I mentioned that I was planning on getting the band with plication or when I mentioned that some of the data that was being used to show that the band was a bad procedure was based on a questionable study (for example, the patients studied were banded before the current bands were available and the sample size wasn't disclosed)

I agree that the mine is better than your mentality is counterproductive, i feel that we are all suffering from the same disease and we are choosing different ways of treating the disease. Just because someone chooses a different way of fighting doesn't meant that their choice is wrong, it was what was the best for them at the time. It is possible that the disease doesn't respond to the first course of treatment and something more aggressive is needed. But it is also possible that a more conservative treatment is all the patient needs.

~However when some of the first post I see are people saying to pre-op band patients that they want to talk them out of their choice, or people using what could have been a very useful and informative series of posts to bash people who have chosen other procedures that DS~

They approach pre-ops b/c they don't want to see them go through the same thing they did. The band has been a horrible experience for MANY of us, and we don't wish that on anyone.

We try to explain............some listen. Some don't. We tried to warn a lady last month about all the band complications but she had "done her research" and thought she knew better than us. Well she got her band. Had to have it removed like days later. But.......we did what we needed to do to try to help. At least she went into it with her eyes wide open. That is all we wish for any pre-op.........to have the knowledge BEFORE the surgery of all the complications so they can make an informed decision!

Good luck to u with whatever path u choose.

[formerlyfluffy]

Dec 31, 2011 18:39:21 GMT -5 Michelle J said:

No need to feel weird. I'm happy the band has worked for you as it should, even happier that you lost your HTN. I'd like to invite more band people here so we have a variety of experiences, but once I started developing problems with my band I no longer felt comfortable posting on the other site.

And that is the sad part. I don't know how many times I heard "ppl are leaving the band forum b/c of the "band bashing"!". When in fact, yes, some may have, but there were 1,000 times more bandsters that left that forum b/c of the BANDSTER BASHING! And the whole time saying it was a "support" forum while doing the bandster bashing!!! lol

Glad to have u on this forum though! :-)

[formerlyfluffy]

Dec 31, 2011 14:21:36 GMT -5 petham said:

I don't know how to start this, I am a bander and I don't have any issues with my lap band. I didn't have a ton of excess weight and I'm thinking that has to do with it. I am not vain, I'm still overweight and I did it to get rid of my high blood pressure. It went to normal while I was still in the hospital and I hadn't lost any weight at all. The nurse said it happens all the time and someone ought to study why that is. I agree, maybe co-morbs can be tackled from all directions.
I agree that the band is not for self pay patients, and the surgeon should be first class, no matter what WLS is chosen.
Botox doctors shouldn't do operations, and people that want Botox shouldn't have WLS. There are no shortcuts,Period.

Anyhow, I have nothing to say about the lapband, pro or con.
I was inspired to get WLS by an acquaintance. She now started drinking and is on Prozac and regained all the weight she lost.
Everybody is different, and I'm happy about that. Live would be boring if everybody were perfect, like me

Don't feel weird! Feel lucky! It's working for you. Enjoy it!

Just b/c we had bad experiences with the band doesn't mean we want everyone else to! True......we do expect most of you to have complications in a few years, but we hope you don't and we're thrilled that there are some that have succeeded with the band. That is what we all hoped for when we were banded. We just tend to get upset when those that are having success have been "less than honest" about band outcomes for MOST bandsters long term. Oh and that "blame the bandster" crap really gets us too! lol

[INsupport]

I'm glad you are having success with the band! If your surgery is working for you, I think that is all that matters.

[petham]

Jan 16, 2012 5:16:01 GMT -5 formerlyfluffy said:

Dec 31, 2011 14:21:36 GMT -5 petham said:

I don't know how to start this, I am a bander and I don't have any issues with my lap band. I didn't have a ton of excess weight and I'm thinking that has to do with it. I am not vain, I'm still overweight and I did it to get rid of my high blood pressure. It went to normal while I was still in the hospital and I hadn't lost any weight at all. The nurse said it happens all the time and someone ought to study why that is. I agree, maybe co-morbs can be tackled from all directions.
I agree that the band is not for self pay patients, and the surgeon should be first class, no matter what WLS is chosen.
Botox doctors shouldn't do operations, and people that want Botox shouldn't have WLS. There are no shortcuts,Period.

Anyhow, I have nothing to say about the lapband, pro or con.
I was inspired to get WLS by an acquaintance. She now started drinking and is on Prozac and regained all the weight she lost.
Everybody is different, and I'm happy about that. Live would be boring if everybody were perfect, like me

Don't feel weird! Feel lucky! It's working for you. Enjoy it!

Just b/c we had bad experiences with the band doesn't mean we want everyone else to! True......we do expect most of you to have complications in a few years, but we hope you don't and we're thrilled that there are some that have succeeded with the band. That is what we all hoped for when we were banded. We just tend to get upset when those that are having success have been "less than honest" about band outcomes for MOST bandsters long term. Oh and that "blame the bandster" crap really gets us too! lol

So tell me, what are we going to talk about besides the pro and con of the band?

I don't think making a "balanced" Bandboard is possible.

You say : it sucks
I say: So far so good

That would be balanced I guess, but honestly I would reather watch paint dry..Any Ideas???

[goodkel]

Jan 17, 2012 11:11:35 GMT -5 petham said:

So tell me, what are we going to talk about besides the pro and con of the band?

I don't think making a "balanced" Bandboard is possible.

You say : it sucks
I say: So far so good

That would be balanced I guess, but honestly I would reather watch paint dry..Any Ideas???

There is more band bashing going on because the band is pushed more by advertising, by surgeons needing the cash flow, by the manufacturers of the band. I've never seen a billboard for any other surgery, for instance.

So when the platitudes are quoted by rote and you can tell that no additional research was conducted, it would be a disservice to those still in the deciding stage to allow such misnomers to stand uncontested.

Least invasive? Bologna.

Last surgery you'll need? Bologna.

Someone needs to open uneducated pre-op eyes to the fallacies promoted by the advertising. It's the only decent thing to do.

But, once that horse has left the barn, there are plenty of people who need the help of people who have been living successfully with the band.

Eating suggestions, help with vitamins and labs, dealing with awkward social situations, when a pain requires medical intervention.

That's what I'm hoping you'll provide.

[redbabe08]

Jan 17, 2012 11:11:35 GMT -5 petham said:

Jan 16, 2012 5:16:01 GMT -5 formerlyfluffy said:

Don't feel weird! Feel lucky! It's working for you. Enjoy it!

Just b/c we had bad experiences with the band doesn't mean we want everyone else to! True......we do expect most of you to have complications in a few years, but we hope you don't and we're thrilled that there are some that have succeeded with the band. That is what we all hoped for when we were banded. We just tend to get upset when those that are having success have been "less than honest" about band outcomes for MOST bandsters long term. Oh and that "blame the bandster" crap really gets us too! lol

So tell me, what are we going to talk about besides the pro and con of the band?

I don't think making a "balanced" Bandboard is possible.

You say : it sucks
I say: So far so good

That would be balanced I guess, but honestly I would reather watch paint dry..Any Ideas???

if balance isn't the answer - then nobody should complain that this forum is anti band. no sweat off my brow either way - i had a good experience & i then didn't.

[petham]

Jan 17, 2012 12:46:13 GMT -5 goodkel said:

Jan 17, 2012 11:11:35 GMT -5 petham said:

So tell me, what are we going to talk about besides the pro and con of the band?

I don't think making a "balanced" Bandboard is possible.

You say : it sucks
I say: So far so good

That would be balanced I guess, but honestly I would reather watch paint dry..Any Ideas???

There is more band bashing going on because the band is pushed more by advertising, by surgeons needing the cash flow, by the manufacturers of the band. I've never seen a billboard for any other surgery, for instance.

So when the platitudes are quoted by rote and you can tell that no additional research was conducted, it would be a disservice to those still in the deciding stage to allow such misnomers to stand uncontested.

Least invasive? Bologna.

Last surgery you'll need? Bologna.

Someone needs to open uneducated pre-op eyes to the fallacies promoted by the advertising. It's the only decent thing to do.

But, once that horse has left the barn, there are plenty of people who need the help of people who have been living successfully with the band.

Eating suggestions, help with vitamins and labs, dealing with awkward social situations, when a pain requires medical intervention.

That's what I'm hoping you'll provide.

I'm the horse outta the barn, then..

[goodkel]

And running for the roses... ;D

[grdngrl]

Good discussion actually - as a former bandster, I will try better to not bash at all. I had high hopes and it didn't work out for me, I'm actually glad it does for you. I'm not a DS'er, there are all types of WLS 'over here' and I'm hoping this site grows for everyone.

Thanks for the post!!!

[jennnay]

Hi Everyone..
I'm a successful lap banded wife and mother.
I was banded in April of 2011.
I've lost 149 pounds. I'd still like to lose another 20 - 25 pounds.

My husband was banded in May of 2011. He's lost 142 pounds.
Hubby has not had one single adjustment to his band. He's never felt hunger pains since his surgery.
I've had a number of adjustments, for swelling due to Cortisol release following an MVA, for a recent colonoscopy.. Nothing serious in any way so far.

The lapband has saved our lives.
We attend monthly weight loss support meetings held by our Surgical center. They do all kinds of WLS, so the people at the meetings are a real mix of weight loss surgery patients. This reinforcement and follow up care is really helping us achieve our goals.
I don't have anything bad to say about the lapband.
I'm glad I had the surgery. I'm glad it's been trouble free for us. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.