What are the downfalls of getting banded?

I'm so excited!!! I'm getting banded on April 6! My question is; are there any negative things about the band I should know about? I've read all of the wonderful things that comes along with the weight loss but I need to know if there is anything I need to prepare myself for that may not be so wonderful. This is a big decision for me and a lot of $$, (Humana stinks!). I want to make sure I have as much information, good and bad, about the changes that are about to occur in my life. Like, after being banded for several years do you ever get over not being able to eat steak? Is it hard to learn how to eat without drinking? How can you survive on such a small amount of food? Do you ever forget that you're banded and swallow a big bite of food? Thanks!

The only thing I know about the band besides the supposedly slow weight loss (which I don't know is true or not) is that yes, you can learn to out eat the band. You can eat sweets and that's not good. BUT, I do have a close personal friend here in town that went to Las Vegas a few years ago and had the band. It eventually slipped, she gained a lot of weight and finally went to a doctor in Louisville whom I will not mention for help and he was a butt hole to her. What had actually happened was that the band had eroded . If I remember correctly (and I may not) he removed the band but refuased to do anything else. She has recently gone thru a doc in Lexington for a revision. Well, you asked!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Laura, I'm 6.5 months out and down between 62 and 63 lbs. Depending on the day recently. I have about 40 lbs left to reach my goal. I have been eating steak since about 5 weeks out of surgery. It's still a big staple of my diet. I just make sure I get a really tender cut of beef like a filet or ribeye. Then you have to make sure you cut it into VERY VERY small pieces and chew chew chew. I can eat just about anything at this point except the soft part of bread. I am not a huge sweet eater so that doesn't bother me. I am also not much of an ice cream eater. I do occasionally forget that I'm banded and take a big mouthful. My band quickly reminds me. Drinking with my meal (well not drinking) was the biggest thing for me to overcome. I do fairly well with it on most days. Congratulations on your WLS decision.