Why I Chose the Band (Repost)

I was in my 40s and headed for congestive heart failure. I had more medical issues/comorbidities than I could count. I was 376 pounds with a BMI of 54, taking 7 meds a day for those issues.  I could barely walk due to severe edema in my legs and feet. Based on MY needs, the band was the right choice. Based on YOUR needs and hopes, perhaps not. But it was right for ME. And it worked beyond my wildest expectations.




I know that "surgery wars" claim to be meant to inform preops of all their choices, and that is both intelligent and admirable. But when they degrade into name calling and insults, it serves no purpose but to make some people feel inferior, which we as obese people have really had enough of in our lives. And let's be honest here - when someone goes onto individual surgical forums with the sole purpose of "stirring the hornet's nest", it's not about information, it's about degradation and intimidation. Frankly, it's also egomaniacal and somewhat pathetic, but that's a discussion for another day.

The band may not be the "gold" or "platinum" standard in WLS, but right now it is the ONLY option available to people who do NOT want their gastrointestinal tract altered, cut, dissected, resected, shortened, removed, edited (whatever). The ONLY one, and that is a big, BIG dealbreaker for a LOT of people.

Prior to my surgery, I had decade-long digestive issues (which were, go figure! resolved after I had the band.) The last thing I wanted was any surgery what might exacerbate that, especially permanently. So RNY, sleeve and DS were all off the list. 

Does that make me ill informed, less intelligent, a puppet to my surgeon's whims, lacking in reading comprehension? No. It makes me the OPPOSITE. It makes me someone who has clearly made the right decision about MY life, MY body and MY weight loss.

Informing preops of all their options is a great idea. It's HOW that idea is presented that is insulting. People who HAVE weighed their options - ALL of them - and made their decision should not be made to feel stupid because they chose a surgery that is not the one someone else approves of. As I said, we've all had a life full of put-downs, and the last thing any of us needs is to experience MORE of it, especially at the hands of those who should know better.

Nice Post! What scares me about the other procedures is the cutting. Oh and you said people should weigh their options and the program I am in is called Weigh Your Options at New Britain General. I can't believe there are surgery wars!

I agree that people should be left to make their own decisions.  They are the ones that have to live the decision.

I had my reasons for choosing my surgery and in spite of the struggle it has been to lose this weight...I am losing it.  I have never lost this amount of weight before...EVER.  I lost 135lbs so far!!!  I am wearing size 18 jeans for the first time in 20 years...and I can wear tops from the misses department.  I have 60 lbs and I have no doubt that with hard work I will make it happen (notice how I said I will make it happen...not my band).  That is the problem with a lot of people (myself included) you get this surgery thinking it will be a breeze to lose weight.  Well it wasn't.  I had to put a lot of effort into it.  And so what if I do... I am losing and I'm in great shape. 

By the way Bette your before and after pics are awesome
 

 

 Very Very well said thanks for sharing your story and photos!  When I first started researching WLS the band wasn't appoved yet in the US.  I begged my husband to let me go to Mexico, but I was only 28yrs old with 3 very young children.  So I waited and waited and when it was approved and the Lahey Clinic started the procedure I was so excited!!  My Mom and I got the lapband done together and it was the best decision I have ever made.  I am at goal weight and haven't needed a fill in over 4 yrs.  It will be 7yrs in April and I want the newbies to understand that you don't need fills forever!  I have 2.4cc in a 4cc band.  Like you I really researched and didn't want anything cut inside so the band was the best choice for me and I couldn't be happier!  I love seeing successful stories.  I feel bad I'm not on here often enough but I almost forget sometimes that I even have it, it's been so long!

Kari

 GO SOX!!!

Thank you Bette for putting this out there.  A healthy DEBATE of the options for WLS is a good thing, but I agree, that when the name calling, bullying and just plain "mean girls" behavior starts, it serves no purpose.  As MO individuals we have all taken more than our fair share of that behavior out in the world and some of us just won't stay in an environment where we are uncomfortable or feel bullied. 
I too had several co-morbidities before my surgery, and even though I am less than halfway to my goal, all but two are resolved (hypertension is improved but still on a half dose of the meds and osteo-arthritis is not going away).  I know I made the right choice for me at the time.  My thinking process is different when it comes to food...the band is more of a training tool for me.  I my band!

Thank you Bette i also had heath issues and sean 5 people with bypass for wl and have sean 5 with the band it can go either way with any wls but for me the band was my top choice along with my DR we agreed this was the way to go i didnot want cutting  other then the small incisions needed for the band i am happy with my choice even though i am new it has helped me alot

Bette:

Thanks for always being one of the very positive things on the OH boards. You are one of the people I admire the most and I pray that one day I can be as successful as you  in this journey.

You very eloquently put out there what many of us feel! Being the Chicago girl I am, my statement would have been laced with profanities! Now if only everyone can read that and take things to heart and share in an appropriate way from here on out! We can hope right? If not hope, there is always BLOCK!

 , my statement would have been laced with profanities!

Mine usually are!!

Thanks for posting Bette! I am in a fowl mood so after reading yet another post from an antibandster I decided to respond here instead of telling the offensive twit to shut up.  Sometimes its so hard for me to not just say "look, if you wanted to sit on your ass and get thin you should have known that lapband was the wrong procedure and gone with a malabsorbtion procedure". Thanks for saving me the headache.