Would you do it again? Everyone please answer

Wow. It's amazing how frickin' upset DSers get when you make a joke about **** even if you don't MENTION the DS.

Ouch! Guess that one stung a little bit, huh, folks? TOUGHEN UP!

You think you are really that clever?  Your insinuations don't go unnoticed by the educated.  And, since your quoted response was to the OP, who exactly were you attempting to charm with your ill attempt at wit?

You fail.

Ow. Ow. Ow. I'm hurt.

It truly depends.  How much weight are you looking to lose? 

For me I recently had developed reflu prior to my band and yes, it was completely eliminated.  I have not taken an acid blocker of any kind since the day before my surgery.

Personally as a self pay, I would not get the band again.  I would lean toward the VSG or RNY.  I just personally have not had adequate enough weight loss and have had complication which have put me further in a financial hole.

It would be nice if the people who answered this question STUCK TO THE QUESTION, and actually had band surgery. Would you do it again? Not, Would you do it?

YES, I WOULD DO IT AGAIN. I am 5 years out next week. It was the best choice for me. I have had ZERO problems with my band. I would not recommend it to everyone, because some need more than restriction. I also think the band works best for those on the lower end of obesity. I have seen some great successes at higher weights, but it's tougher.

PROS: I quit obsessing about food. Food was always a distraction for me. I was always thinking about what I was going to have next. I don't panic about food. There is always more food.

PROS: Adjustible. I love that. I can go tighter if I need to, and looser if I need to.

PROS: Appetite and portion control. I can eat anything, just less of it, and I am fine with just a few bites of something.

PROS: I am normal sized, not skinny, but that's okay. I'm almost 50.

CONS: I have never got to my goal weight.

CONS: Slower weight loss, harder to keep off. Easier to eat around.

CONS: It does take some maintenance. You need good aftercare.

First, I would like to start by saying that I hope you haven't been turned off to WLS by the behavior of some on the boards.

I don't know a lot about DS, but I did do a lot of research on the band before having my surgery.  I am about 3 1/2 months out, and I am down over 60 pounds.  That being said, you should know that the majority of this weight loss is the result of hard work on my part.  I have had two fills, and I do not yet have restriction.  I have lost this weight by following the band rule prescribed by my surgeon.  I am hopeful that I will get to restriction soon, but I am also confident that I will continue to lose weight because I am committed to this journey.

I know quite a few people who have had RNY, only to regain all of their weight.  I know that it doesn't happen to everyone, but this has been my experience.

I know only one person who has had DS, and she eats everything in whatever amounts she likes and she NEVER gains weight.  She is SUPER skinny, and just doesn't look healthy.  She is happy with her surgery, but I can't imagine why.  She looks terrible, and hasn't been forced to change her eating habits, so it begs the question, is she really healthier? 

I know one person who has had the sleeve.  She had it about 2 1/2 years ago, and she is slowly regaining her weight after great initial success.

I think the moral to these stories is that you have to decide what is right for you.  I, personally, was not interested in having my insides re-routed.  Consequently, I chose the band - but I also fully recognized that it would take  A LOT of effort on my part to insure my success.  I just needed some help - the band has been that help for me.

I don't know if the band will last for the rest of my life (I'm only 34), but, if it doesn't, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.  Hopefully, I will have spent enough time adjusting to a healthier lifestyle , including regular exercise and improved eating habits, so a WLS solution will no longer be necessary.

Research all available options, and make the choice that is right for YOU.  I would do the band again in a heartbeat.

Good luck!

Hey Rhonda, does this person that you know with the DS --- does she know that you don't refrain from attacking how she looks?  Or, do you just like to dispense advice on how others should conduct themselves, but that excludes your own behavior?

I didn't say she was ugly.  She is too skinny, in fact, she looks sick, and, yes, I have told her that. 

I'm not exactly sure what your problem is, but you are a very ugly person (inside).  It's a shame you can't let your external beauty shine to your inside.  You are foul, and seem to get some strange enjoyment or pleasure from attacking others.  You should seek help for that from a professional.  Since we live to close to one another, I have some names I could recommend.  I have lots of good friends in GR who would be happy to help you work through your issues.  Let me know.  Good luck to you.

And exactly who did  *I*  call ugly?
You said the person you were talking about looked terrible, not sick, not too skinny.

There isn't one place on this thread that I took a pot shot at any single person's looks, not one.
Several posters can't say the same about taking shots at mine.

Maybe you can hook them up with your shrink friends and work on their direct attacks, and maybe you can get a discount to work on your own passive aggressiveness.

I'm bored with you and this 'conversation'...I'm done now.  Continued luck to you with all your stuff.