Chat with my doc.

Went in today for a slight unfill. I have had mild heartburn at night and even though it really was mild, I am ultra cautious!  (NB if you saw a recent post saying I was having real reflux, that was illness related and now I am well again it has gone away. The heartburn I wanted correcting was no big deal!  Many people would just have accepted it.)

Chatted to my doc and asked about his views on the band these days. He made the following points - please note these are based on his experience of his patients.

They (his hospital's bariatric surgeons) now believe that about 20% of band patients will have a complication in the first five years BUT these range from the very minor and easy to treat (reflux through being too tight), through medium level ( port leaks) to serious (minor slips, oesophageal dilation) to very serious (major slips, erosion).  So that 20% is just a headline figure - not as bad as it sounds!

Those who do not lose weight are usually those who are not prepared to do the necessary work with their bands and who expect too much from it  (remember, please, his experience of his patients).

He still does lots of bands. He and his colleagues talk people through all the major options (they do them all) and then doc and patient decide together which is best for the individual. 

His opinion is  that no one surgery is superior. They all have a signigificant role in the battle against obesity.   

Came out feeling good! So pleased I am banded!

Kate

Nice information, Kate.  It's true that a lot of us bandsters have unreasonable expectations either because the doctors/staff haven't given us the full picture or we chose not to hear the parts about not working with our bands...or we just didn't understand until we were actually banded, which is the case with me.
Even after having my brother and my daughter's SIL being banded and hearing what it was like for them, I still couldn't really comprehend what my role in losing after surgery would be.  I didn't get the part about I manage the intake and the band just keeps my mind off food by keeping my tummy quiet between meals.  I see many people post about restriction (not a good description of optimal fill) or lack of restriction, no sweet spot, can eat everything without a problem, etc because they don't yet understand the true purpose of the band.  It's not restriction, it is satiety...by depending on restriction, we risk some of the complications of banding that are one of the most common causes of people losing their bands...
I hope that those *****ad your post will take it in the spirit of helpfulness you intend.  You are a great source of support and I appreciate you being here!

I hope you get instant relief, Kate!

I've had reflux only 2-3 times since having my HH repaired when they placed my band 2 years ago.  Each time I had a slight unfil that gave relief immediately.  IMO it's a result of something I ate that irritated my stoma/esophagus.  It's just not worth trying to wait it out.  I'm glad you had the unfill!  Good example to all of us that think a slight unfill means the end of the world.  I learned the hard way.  Hopefully you sharing your experience will help others understand that some time, stuff just happens so you take care and move forward.

Best~
Lisa O. 

Thanks Kate!  I feel the same way as MrsM - until I was actually banded I really couldn't comprehend what having this band was going to be like.  It's been a year-long learning curve, but, like you, I am SO glad I am banded.

As a "volume eater" (and really, what obese person is NOT a volume eater, LOL) I liked the idea that the band would help me feel full sooner.  I also actually liked the idea that I was going to have to take an active part in the process, because I KNEW that I was going to have to make major lifestyle changes - something I'd never done before - i.e. I would have to change my eating habits (diet, if you like, although I don't feel like I'm on a "diet" per se - I've just eradicated bad carbs from my life, which works for me) and begin to exercise or just be more active.  The band was the impetus I needed to make the major changes in my life to lose weight once and for all.

I follow band rules most of the time and have learned (like Bette) that you can certainly eat around your band if you want to, but there will be consequences, with weight regain sometimes being the least of your worries.  Knowing that is what keeps me more or less on the path, as well as knowing that if I work the band, IT WORKS.